State of the Arts
Volunteers Have the Magic Touch
Gift from a Dancer
Page 30
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The newspaper for the new millennium
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December 23, 2011
Vol. 10 No. 102
Public Notices. . . . . . . . . . . . 20
BY NISHA PATEL
W
ith the holiday season in full swing, communities of all cultures and ethnicities enjoy these months with unique celebrations. Kwanzaa, a non-religious holiday celebrates African-American heritage, pride, family, and culture. The seven-day festival begins December 26 and culminates on January 1 of every year. The name “Kwanzaa” is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanzaa” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates the holiday in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on the last night of Kwanzaa. In most cases, families gather every night and a child lights one of the candles on the “kinara” (candleholder), after which one of seven principles is discussed. The principles, called “Nguzo Saba,” are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcement of community values among African-Americans. continued on page 9 INDEX It’s a date . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Mind Twisters . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Movie Theater List . . . . . . . . . 8
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Real Estate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Places of Worship . . . . . . . . . 28