More than 300 students attended last week’s VCU Black Caucus’ Kwanzaa celebration to learn about the tradition of the African holiday that begins Dec.26.
Akomfo Kwambena Frempong, a social worker for Richmond Public Schools and guest speaker for the event, began with a libation ritual to posthumously give tribute to famous African and African-American leaders.
After the libation ritual, Frempong discussed how applying the Kwanzaa concepts should improve in today’s society for Africans and African-Americans.
“While we are celebrating this time, we need to have a recommitment to who we are as African people,” Frempong said. “There is a lot of self-imposed confusion going on, and the reason for it is because we don’t know who we are as Africans. So until we get back into our culture and learn to deal with these principles that we learn tonight on a daily basis and not just once a year, we will continue to go through this confusion that we deal with every day.”
The Ezibumuntu African Dance Co., organized in 1973, then depicted the meaning of Kwanzaa through a series of African dance routines.
During an intermission between the dance routines, Olumide Gilbert, a drummer in the group, talked to the audience briefly about importance of the entertainment and his thoughts about the Kwanzaa celebration.
“Our ancestors handed down this music and danced since the beginning of time,” Gilbert said. “You’ll have a responsibility not only to your ancestors but to your parents, to your community and to your people. Learn as much as possible through your education and take it somewhere because we are the creators.”
Members of black fraternities and sororities also discussed the seven concepts of Kwanzaa and described the ways students should use them in their everyday lives:
* Umoja = Unity
* Kujichagulia = Self-determination
* Ujima = Collective work and responsiblility
* Ujamaa = Cooperative economics
* Nia = Purpose
* Kuumba = Creativity
* Imani = Faith
“I’m just overwhelmed to see the numbers of students and others who are here this evening,” said Napoleon Peoples, director of multicultural student affairs. “It says a lot about you in tribute to this African holiday.”
The National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities attending the event included three to four members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Inc., etc. while members of the African-American Graduate Association and the African Student Union also participated.
Cordell Howell, senior business/psychology major also talked about the importance of Kwanzaa from his point of view.
“Kwanzaa is important to me because it encourages friends and family to come together,” Howell said. “Even though it last for a short period of time, (to Janil) people should use these seven principles in their everyday lives.”