h o m e f o r t h e h o l i d ay s
The Spirit of Kwanzaa
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“My favorite Kwanzaa decorations are the corn, because it y favorite part of Kwanzaa,” Akin Mason-Hogans, represents the children in the household (my brother and I), and the 17, says, “is simply the celebration of Africanunity cup, because it gives us each an opportunity to share thoughts American culture. As a people, African-Americans when we pass it around,” Akanke says. have an incredibly tragic history, from slavery to segregation to “We also have anonymous gifts on the table for folks who might contemporary problems we face today. Kwanzaa, however, celebrates drop by,” Danita adds, “or presents that we have collected for people the positive things in the community; things such as our creativity, in the community who might not have as much this holiday season.” perseverance and unity. To be able to be around the people you love, to Those gifts might come from shops like African Land in the Lakewood celebrate your culture and heritage, is truly a wonderful thing.” Shopping Center and Exotique downtown. Akin’s parents, Danita Mason-Hogans of the Center for “On the last night, [for the Karamu feast], we try to make sure that Documentary Studies at Duke University and Dr. Cory Hogans of Little River K-8 School, started celebrating the week-long holiday between Christmas and New Year’s as students at North Carolina A&T State University in the late 1980s and early 1990s. “We were definitely a part of the Afrocentric movement,” Danita says. “We started studying about Africa and our relationship to Africa. The principles [of Kwanzaa] are the most important thing for us. We thought they were good principles to always reconnect and come back to.” Each day of Kwanzaa, Danita, Cory, Akin and his sister, Akanke Mason-Hogans, 16, reflect on one of the seven principles of the holiday: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). “On the day of unity we might ask what we have done to be kind and bring unity to our friends and people around us,” Danita says. “The next day for Kujichagulia, which is selfDanita Mason-Hogans’ parents, Patricia Mason and David Mason Jr. (left) and Danita determination, we talk about an obstacle that Mason-Hogans and Cory Hogans (right), look on as Akanke and Akin (center) light the seven candles of Kwanzaa in front of a delicious feast at the Hayti Heritage Center. we have faced and how we got over that. For Ujamaa, we talk about finances and money – how important it is to invest your money.” And, as their children have grown older – both attend J.D. Clement our parents are there,” Danita says. “No Kwanzaa would be complete Early College High School – the principles of Kwanzaa have been an without my mom’s [Patricia Mason’s] macaroni and cheese.” important measuring tool in Akin and Akanke’s personal growth, Still, most days of Kwanzaa are more of an immediate family too. “Character is very, very important to us,” Danita says. “We use tradition. “That way, we are able to spend time with our extended Kwanzaa for our children as a reminder that we all need to have good family [at Christmas], and have special time for us.” The family character and contribute to the community.” does like to venture out and celebrate with the community, too, On the Kwanzaa table at the Mason-Hogans’ home in north like at KwanzaaFest and Hayti Heritage Center’s festivities. “I think Durham, you’ll find the elements like the Mkeka mat, Kinara holder, the Durham community represents a lot of the good principles of seven candles and the unity cup, but also African cloth, fruits and Kwanzaa, so it has complemented our celebration very nicely,” Danita vegetables to represent the harvest and gifts of crafts and books. says. – Laura Zolman Kirk december/january 2018
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