577. Kwanzaa – Uniting the African Diaspora in Toronto


Discovering different cultural traditions is always exciting. Such was the case when I heard about Kwanzaa and the Harriet Tubman Community Organization last year. Tubman was the escaped African slave who returned again and again to help other slaves flee to freedom in Canada in the 1800s. “Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival celebrating the African peoples in the Diaspora,” says Kwanzaa’s brochure. I had an opportunity to learn more about them late last year at its annual festival.

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

“It is not a religion,” said Sani-Abu Mohammed. “It is more like Thanksgiving, a celebration.” I remembered Sani-Abu’s Ijo Vudo Dance Group which thrilled audiences at AfroFest and Harbourfront. This dance group was among Kwanzaa’s partner organizations this year.

As we waited for the event to begin, Sani-Abu told us that each of the seven days emphasizes different themes like self-determination. “Do you make things happen or do things make you happen?  Are you the driver or the passenger?  We need to reclaim our own history,” he said. “Ours must not be colonial history.”

Each day a candle is lit in a special candle holder to highlight one of its principles. These include unity (within one’s self and with others), working together as a community, and a belief in the righteousness of the African-American struggle.

Different African cultures were very much apparent at the event.  Sani-Abu was wearing a costume from his native Nigeria as he set candles into the group’s unique candle holder.

 Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Several of the women wore their hair braided. Kyshel took six hours to braid her hair herself, she said. Braiding is an old African custom where different groups have different identifiable styles.

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

The celebration started with the “Opening Libation” which summoned the ancestors to join us by offering them a drink. They used a calabash gourd, here held by Brother Kofi Morris (Kamijic) whose heritage country is Ghana. .

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

The music and drumming of course was African, and the youthfulness and enthusiasm of the Ubuntu Drum and Dance Theatre Ensemble gave promise that African culture will continue in Toronto.

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

It was wonderful to see older people join them.

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Singer Jay Harmony sang with such confidence and enthusiasm that I am sure she inspired the hundred or so people at the event.

 Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Nohsakhere from the Nile Valley Book Store was selling books about Africa and by Africans.

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

The food included king fish, curried goat and rice. It was an inspiring afternoon but unfortunately I had to leave before it was over.

Kwanzaa was started in America in 1966. It begins each year on December 26 and continues to New Years Day.

African culture itself is not homogeneous. It is multicultural and to find people from different parts of Africa and the Caribbean working together is inspiring.  To learn more about this movement, contact the Harriet Tubman Community Organization at: www.tubmancommunity.org.

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Copyright ©2015 Ruth Lor Malloy

Non-Africans are welcome. I hope you can join this festival next year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

1 Comment

  1. Ekua writes us: Sis I love the article… I’m sorry that as the lead organization, none of our staff or placement students are mentioned or photographed!!! Lol young and potential fathers, redemption reintegration services and Harriet Tubman Community Organization (HTCO) along with ijouvu dance group were the official partners but definitely everyone was invited by Htco to participate. I loved how organized it was and how much was ready when people finally showed up. I loved the community awards.
    Seriously the only thing that must be changed is “slaves” to “enslaved people” as African were not ever slaves but enslaved by a group of people.
    Htco staff
    Priscilla Hinnewaah – event organizer
    Linda Chau – audio visuals,
    Ekua Andria C Walcott designer of Htco event, executive of Htco
    Volunteers coordinator
    Bashiyr Douglas
    Caterer Pauline’s Kitchen
    Placement students from York U
    Kaliah Loney
    Pamela Lozada
    Check out the pics in last Saturdays toronto star if you like!

    Ruth you did an awesome job on this and Htco loves and appreciates you!

    Sent from my iPhone blessed love,

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