With the holiday season here, the Kwanza Collective in the Valley announced 2024 Kwanzaa itinerary, featuring events across Springfield, Chicopee and Holyoke.
From Thursday, Dec. 26 to Wednesday, Jan. 1, the organization is looking to bring awareness of Kwanzaa across the Pioneer Valley by teaching the seven principles across seven days.
If anyone interested can’t make it to one event, Kwanzaa Collective in the Valley President Ayanna Crawford said there’s something happening every day, offering opportunities to connect with not only the seven principles, but also communities.
Crawford explained, “What we decided, and we’ve been doing this sort of regional approach of going into different cities and towns and asking if they would be interested in celebrating Kwanzaa and bringing people from the African American community, the Black and Latino community, to support this effort and all those cities and towns have been very, very supportive of it.”
The Kwanzaa Collective in the Valley will kick off its celebration in Springfield on Thursday, Dec. 26 at City Hall at 11 a.m.
For that principle, the Umoja candle will be lit which represents unity.
Crawford said the collective is working with Mayor Domenic Sarno to read a proclamation for the residents observe Kwanzaa with their families and friends.
The event will also recognize honorees, present awards to local residents, speakers, poets, African dancing and drumming and light refreshments.
“It’s sort of a kick off to Kwanzaa and we want to make sure we do that in Springfield,” Crawford said.
On Friday, Dec. 27, the celebration will continue in Chicopee at 11 a.m. at its City Hall. The Kujichagulla candle will be lit which represents self-determination.
The collective has partnered with Mayor John Vieau where a similar program will be observed as the one in Springfield.
The Kwanzaa celebration and program will continue in Holyoke on Saturday, Dec. 28 at City Hall at 10 a.m. where the Ujima candle will be lit, which represents collective work, and Mayor Joshua Garcia will read a proclamation.
There will also be speakers, entertainment, light refreshments and attendees will be given a history about Kwanzaa.
Crawford explained, “We’ll talk a little but about the history of Kwanzaa because again, [Chicopee and Holyoke] are new cities still learning about the Kwanzaa holiday so we’ll give a little information about Kwanzaa, we’’ introduce the mayors so they can give the proclamations.”
Also on Saturday, Dec. 28, Springfield’s Annual Community Kwanzaa Festival will take place from 1-7 p.m. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Center in Tower Square, 1500 Main St.
Crawford talked about the event in Springfield and said, “It’s to celebrate the cultural holiday of Kwanzaa. We’re doing the community Kwanzaa festival. It’s going to be an opportunity for families and the children and the community to come out and partake African drumming, poets, there will be local authors there. We’re also going to be giving out community awards celebrating the principles of Kwanzaa.”
The event will also feature food, workshops, a Kwanzaa children’s corner for different activities, an African marketplace with local vendors and businesses and end with the lighting of the Kinara.
At the end of the event, the Kwanzaa Collective will celebrate the seven principles that are on the Kinara and start with the day being on Dec. 28 and move forward with the rest of the principles as well.
On Sunday, Dec. 29, the Kwanzaa Collective will be at the New African House at UMass Amherst to observe Ujamaa or cooperative economics with the same program that took place in Chicopee, Springfield and Holyoke.
On Monday, Dec. 30, which is Nia or purpose, the Kwanzaa Collective is asking families and friends to partake in Kwanzaa in their respective homes with the resources that the organization will be sharing throughout the week.
The celebration will continue on Tuesday, Dec. 31 with a virtual Zoom from 6–8 p.m. to observe Kuumba or creativity.
Crawford said the Kwanzaa Collective will send out notifications about the virtual Kwanzaa and that “the virtual Kwanzaa is similar to the in-person events. We’ll have music, dancing, drumming and we’ll have different organizations presenting on the different principles. We’ll also have a speaker.”
The seven principles in seven days will conclude on Wednesday, Jan. 1 with Imani or faith, and the collective is once again asking residents to celebrate at home with gift giving, reflect on the principles and gather with friends and families for a feast.
For more details, readers contact Crawford at 413-886-9089.
