Kwanzaa Starts Tuesday, Pasadena Celebrates With Annual Event on Wednesday

Kwanzaa, the annual celebration of African-American culture, kicks off on Tuesday, Dec 26, 2023, with Pasadena commemorating the event with a special celebration on Wednesday. 

This year’s theme, “Kwanzaa, Freedom, Justice and Peace: Principles and Practices for A New World,” was announced earlier by Kwanzaa founder Maulana Karenga, who also chairs the Africana Studies at Cal State Long Beach. Karenga, who established Kwanzaa in 1966, describes the celebration as an “audacious act of self-determination.” The event will continue until Mon, Jan 1.

Pasadena’s 35th Annual Kwanzaa Celebration is set to take place at the Jefferson Branch Library on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 11 a.m., according to the two sponsors, City of Pasadena and the Pasadena Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

The free event, held at 1500 E. Villa St., will feature music, storytelling, and youth presentations as part of the festivities. The celebration aims to honor heritage and tradition with family, friends, and the entire community.

Kwanzaa’s focus is the “Nguzo Saba,” the Seven Principles, all of which are Swahili words. Each night is dedicated to one of the principles, beginning with Umoja — or unity — expressing the goal of striving for and maintaining unity in the family and community.

The principle for the second night is Kujichagulia, self- determination, “to define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.”

The principle for the third night is Ujima.

The other principles are Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).

During the week, a candelabrum called a Kinara is lit, and ears of corn representing each child in the family are placed on a traditional straw mat.

African foods such as millet, spiced pepper balls and rice are often served. Some people fast during the holiday and a feast is often held on its final night.

A flag with three bars — red for the struggle for freedom, black for unity and green for the future — is sometimes displayed during the holiday.

Kwanzaa is based on the theory of Kawaida, which espouses that social revolutionary change for Black America can be achieved by exposing Black Americans to their cultural heritage.