Olufemi and Maxine Viltz, owners of the African-themed gift shop Village Treasures in Long Beach and founders of the Afrikan Cultural Research and Study Group of Long Beach, carry out the “libations
Staff Writer
It was a night of cultural remembrance, reflection and jubilation in observance of an annual African-American tradition that for decades has been a major part of the holiday season for local black families and communities.
The Afrikan Cultural Research and Study Group of Long Beach put on its 23rd annual Kwanzaa celebration last Sunday, Dec. 30 at the Expo Art Center in Bixby Knolls. The ceremony, which was open to all races, included African drumming, dancing, spoken-word performances, storytelling and rituals, including a “karamu” feast and “libations,” in which liquid is poured from a chalice as an offering to African-American ancestors.
The word “Kwanzaa” was derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits of the harvest” in English and refers to harvest festivals celebrated throughout Africa. The second “a” in the word was added to symbolize the African-American celebration. The tradition is based on the “nguzo saba” or seven principles: umoja (unity); kujichagulia (self-determination); ujima (collective work and responsibility); ujamaa (cooperative economics); nia (purpose); kuumba (creativity); and imani (faith).
Coinciding with Christmas, Hanukah and New Year’s Day, Kwanzaa lasts seven days, starting on Dec. 26 and ending on Jan. 1. A candle is lit on each day to affirm each corresponding value, starting on the first day with a black candle, followed by red and green candles. Although Kwanzaa has become an international holiday, the Los Angeles area is considered the premier place to celebrate the holiday. This year, festivities began with the annual parade along Crenshaw Boulevard, followed by the Kwanzaa Heritage Festival last Saturday, Dec. 25.
In Long Beach, Maxine and Olufemi Viltz, owners of the African-themed gift shop Village Treasures, located on Broadway and Linden Avenue, have organized the celebration every year since 1988 after the couple took a pilgrimage to Egypt and, upon their return, became inspired to start an African cultural study group that today offers history and African-drum classes.
In attendance this year at the Expo Center was 8th District Long Beach City Councilmember Al Austin, who took office last year as the third current African-American elected city councilmember in Long Beach.
Erroll Parker, a retired Long Beach city employee and longtime host of “All Sides,” a local cable television-broadcast show, served as emcee for the event. He asserted that Kwanzaa is “not a religion” but is rather about principles that every culture should follow.
“These are principles to live by, and if we all lived by these acts of love we would not have the violence we have today,” he said. “We were enslaved for hundreds of years. We came through Jim Crow laws and two world wars, conflicts, police brutality, oppression, and we’re still here standing! a resilient race of people.”
More Information
officialkwanzaawebsite.org
villagetreasuresart.com
