KWANZAA COMES TO WEST LANE ELEMENTARY

The crowd wasn't very diverse, but that didn't dampen the presenters' spirit nor did it curb the crowd's curiosity.

Dr. Bernice Coar Cobb, retired professor from Southeast Missouri State University, and Michael Sterling, president of the Cape Girardeau NAACP, are teaching students at West Lane Elementary about Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that lasts from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. It encourages people to think about their African roots as well as their life in present day America. The non-religious holiday began in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, a professor, writer and leader in the black struggle.

The word Kwanzaa is an African word meaning first fruits. Children are also considered the fruits of the mother's womb so Kwanzaa is a celebration of children.

The presenters stressed that while this is an African American holiday the children could celebrate the holiday along side African Americans.

The fourth-grade students on Thursday learned about Kwanzaa and some African American history was also thrown into the presentation to round out the experience.

The presenters plan to come back to West Lane later in the month to teach other students about Kwanzaa and African American history. They also hope to go to many schools in the Cape Girardeau and Jackson area during February, which is Black History Month.

The students learned what the candles stand for when they are lit during Kwanzaa.

The black candle is lit on the first day and it represents black people. Sterling went on to say that the candle didn't represent race, because "there's only one race, the human race."

The second day the green candle is lit and it represents the vegetation. The red candle is lit on the third day and it stands for the blood of the people of Africa, which was shed on the voyage to the United States and England and any other destination for slaves.

Then the green and red candles rotate throughout the rest of the holiday.

The students learned about the unity cup and how it is passed around while the person holding it talks about a loved one that has passed away.

During Kwanzaa, adults fast from sunrise to sundown to cleanse the mind, body and spirit.

The last day of Kwanzaa there is a big feast, called Karamu, where no meat is served. The feast consists of fruits, vegetables and grains, which Sterling also added were the healthiest foods anyway.

During the feast small gifts are given such as books, crafts and food to the children. The children also tell how they will improve their lives during the following year using the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

The seven candles of Kwanzaa also have meaning outside of their color. Each candle also represents a principle of Kwanzaa.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa are:

1. Umoja: unity for family, community and country.

2. Kujichagulia: determination to speak for ourselves.

3. Ujima: working together to solve problems.

4. Ujamaa: building our stores, shops and businesses.

5. Nia: purpose to build and develop our community.

6. Kuumba: creativity or making our world around us clean and beautiful.

7. Imani: faith.

The fourth grade students seemed very interested to learn about Kwanzaa. They especially liked learning new words such as Kwanzaa and Harambee, which is a greeting used during Kwanzaa.