Kwanzaa events on Long Island: Celebrate community
Grace Adesanya, left, watches as Katrina McDowell lights a candle on the kinara during the Kwanzaa celebration hosted by the Village of Hempstead. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Honoring African American heritage and its rich traditions, Kwanzaa is celebrated Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 with dinner feasts, music, dancing and the seven-day lighting of the kinara candles. Each candle represents a principle: Umoja (unity); Kujichagulia (self-determination); Ujima (collective responsibility); Ujama (cooperative economics) Nia (purpose); Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
"Kwanzaa is rooted in community and coming together to make the world better," says Aimee Terzulli, vice president for program and visitor experience at the Long Island Children's Museum in Uniondale, where you can make a Kwanzaa craft. "At a time associated with light and renewal, this is a wonderful message to share with visitors."
Arian Slaughter, of the Youth and Teen Dance Company, performs during the celebration of the first night of Kwanzaa at Kennedy Memorial Park in Hempstead, Credit: Jeff Bachner
Town of Hempstead's Deputy Supervisor Dorothy L. Goosby's office will be hosting a karamu feast for the community featuring guest speakers, traditional food and dancing to ring in the holiday.
"Our thoughts are on community, family and unity, three strong key principles and when they're connected and they're working together, these principles are unstoppable, that's what Kwanzaa means to us," says Goosby.
Celebrate the richness of African roots at these Kwanzaa events this month:
Dec. 26: Play a holiday trivia game
Elmont Memorial Library, 700 Hempstead Tpke.
The trivia game show focuses on holiday themes with author Rosa Yordan. Participants will be chosen from the audience and attendees will learn a Kwanzaa dance.
- When Noon to 1:30 p.m.
- Cost Free
- More info elmontlibrary.org, 516-354-5280
Dec. 30: Make a mkeka craft
11 Davis Ave., Uniondale Create a mkeka, the straw mat used on the table during Kwanzaa, in Uniondale. Credit: Adelphi University/Toni Burden
Join Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Long Island Children's Museum to learn about the meaning behind the holiday. You'll also create a mkeka, which is a traditional straw mat used on the table during Kwanzaa, and a beaded ear of corn.
- When The event takes place 1 to 3 p.m.
- Cost Free with $18 museum admission; for ages 5 and up; purchase tickets online in advance
- More info licm.org, 516-224-5800
