The heritage of Kwanzaa

As Nia Imani led a Kwanzaa candle-lighting ceremony Saturday afternoon, she discussed the meaning of the 39-year-old holiday.

“Kwanzaa is about remembering what your family gave you,” Imani said. “It’s a time to remember your history.”

More than 100 people gathered at Douglass High School on Saturday to celebrate Kwanzaa in an annual event held by the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department.

Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. It was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach. His intent was to bring African-Americans together as a community.

As part of the ceremony, a different candle is lit each of the seven nights of the celebration, and each one represents a different principle of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

After the candle is lit, the principle the candle represents is discussed and taught to the children.

“It is a chance for friends and family to get together,” said Vicki Freelon of Columbia, who was at Saturday’s celebration. “There is a responsibility we have as adults to pass on the meaning of it to the children.”

The holiday is also a way to remember and pass on cultural traditions to the younger generations. Pat McCarty of Columbia said she wanted her grandchildren to see the celebration to learn about their cultural heritage.

“It’s a way to celebrate our ancestors, a way to celebrate our children, our food, our music,” McCarty said.

Awards also were presented to community members who exemplified the seven different characteristics of Kwanzaa.