Starting Sunday, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History begins its annual celebration of Kwanzaa with seven days of song, dance, storytelling, poetry, readings and more. The event celebrates the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, with each evening focusing on a different principle and presented with community partners.

“As we celebrate each principle, the idea of ​​Kwanzaa is to have an opportunity for the community to come together to come together and meditate on the value of our communities, society and the things that make us strong and grow”, Yolanda Jack said. , the museum’s community engagement manager.

The seven principles are “umoja” (unity), “kujichagulia” (self-determination), “ujima” (collective work and responsibility), “ujamaa” (cooperative economy), “nia” (goal), “kuumba” (creativity) and “Imani” (faith). Corresponding community partners, including the African Liberation Day Committee, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Nsoroma Institute, UNIA & ACL, Nanou Diapo, Michigan Underground Railroad Exploratory Collective and Hood Research, will each make a presentation on a specific principle on different days. of the week.

Kwanzaa, founded in 1966 by Dr Maulana Karenga, celebrates unity and gratitude for what is yet to come. The term is derived from a Swahili word meaning ‘first’ and comes from the annual first fruit festivals across Africa, a celebration of the future harvest.

Although founded in the United States, Kwanzaa is based on African culture and philosophy and is an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful things of Africa and move forward in unity, said Jack. Although widely celebrated by African Americans, Jack said the Seven Principles are everyone’s traits. For African Americans, she said, this is an opportunity to connect with the motherland. For others, she said, it’s an opportunity to learn more about a continent from which all peoples come.

“Kwanzaa is for everyone,” said Jack. “If you are not of obvious or immediate or direct African descent, you might find yourself curious and wondering about it. You might find out that you are curious, then learn more about the African continent and start incorporating language or concepts or start to understand the African philosophies upon which Kwanzaa is built and bring them to your community.

Due to COVID-19, last year’s event was online only. This year’s event will offer limited in-person tickets to account for social distancing and will also air. Tickets are free, but guests must register online and show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours to participate.

The Wright will also have vendors selling Kwanzaa items from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the week. Pre-registration is not required to shop, although proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test is required to enter.

Kwanzaa with the Wright

7-9 p.m. Sunday-January 1, 2022

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History

315 E. Warren Ave., Detroit

www.thewright.org