The Wichita/Sedgwick County African-American Council of Elders will share key points on Wednesday about Kwanzaa at a community-wide celebration.
The word Kwanzaa means first fruits in Swahili. Founded in 1966 by college professor Maulana Karenga, the weeklong celebration honors African heritage and culture.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa will be highlighted: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibilities, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
The Wichita/Sedgwick County African-American Council of Elders chairperson Adrienne Degraftenreed says the Kwanzaa celebration will give the community a chance to learn and have fun.
"We will have the Wichita Griot drummers, Griot storytellers, the ikenga drumming group, and the Mansaws and Watoto dancers," she says. "We’ll also have the lighting of the black candle representing the first day of Kwanzaa."
The black candle — along with red and green candles — represents each principle of the observance. A CD outlining the Kwanzaa holiday will also be available.
The Kwanzaa event will be held at Wichita's McAdam's Park Recreation Center from 4 to 7 p.m.
Carla Eckels is director of cultural diversity and the host of Soulsations. Follow her on Twitter @Eckels. To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.
