Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 3, 1994 TAG: 9401050183
SECTION: NEWSFUN PAGE: NF-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The Chinese celebrate a different New Year's Day with different customs. (More on that later.) There was never a holiday for blacks to honor their heritage until 1966, when a California college professor named Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa.
When we think of places that have kings and queens, we usually think of England. But, Africa also has had many kings and queens during its long history. Many of the Africans who were brought to this country as slaves were their descendants (relatives born after them).
Kwanza is a Swahili word meaning the first. Swahili is a nontribal language spoken over a larger area of Africa than any other language. The extra ``a'' was added at the end of kwanza to give the name seven letters, one letter for each of the seven principles (laws) that Kwanzaa focuses on.
Africans always have celebrated planting and the harvest, but more important to them are the spirits of their ancestors. At harvest time, they offer the first fruits of the harvest to them.
Kwanzaa starts the day after Christmas every year and ends seven days later. It is a gathering time, like Thanksgiving or a family reunion. It's not a religious holiday. On each day, families light a candle in the kinara (candleholder) and recite one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. They tell how they've lived that day's principle during the past year and how they will live it better in the year to come.
Three red candles in the kinara represent struggle; three green ones, hope for the future; and a black one in the middle is for African people everywhere. Families sometimes decorate and dress in these three colors, the colors of Kwanzaa.
On the first night, families talk about the importance of family togetherness, umoja (oo-MO-jah), meaning unity. Kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) is self-determination or always standing up for what is right. Ujima (oo-JEE-mah) means collective work and responsibility. The fruits are a reminder of the harvest that comes from ujima - without people working together, there would be no harvest; without work, there is no reward.
Ujama (oo-JAH-mah) is cooperative economics. For example, if you help out with chores at home, you might get an allowance.
Nia (NEE-ah) is purpose or having a good reason for doing what you do. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) is creativity, using your ideas and imagination. Imani (ee-MAH-nee) is faith.
During the seven days of Kwanzaa, family members do not eat from sunrise to sunset. In the evening, family and friends gather in a circle around the table for the feast, the karamu (kah-RAH-mu). This sharing of food is compared to the sharing of the harvest and the hunt of African ancestors.
A unity cup is passed around and it is also offered to the memory of the forefathers in the direction of the four winds -- north, south, east and west. Black-eyed peas are eaten for good luck and greens for good fortune.
Simple gifts are exchanged, but, unlike Christmas, they are usually handmade and have something to do with black culture. Grownups share stories of their ancestors so that children will understand more of the history and struggle of their people.
The Kwanzaa principles are good words for all people, no matter what their heritage, to live by.
The annual Kwanzaa celebration was held at the Harrison Museum of African American Culture in Roanoke on Thursday.
On New Year's Eve in China, there are no noisemakers. In fact, the streets are deserted. At midnight, families quietly exchange greetings, beginning with the oldest members.
For some families, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are a time for reunions, for honoring their ancestors and for thanking the gods for their blessings.
If you've been to a Chinese restaurant and seen the placemats that often have the symbols of the Chinese zodiac, you know that each year has the name of one of 12 animals.
The Chinese New Year, Yuan Tan, begins on Feb.10 this year. According to the ancient Chinese lunar (moon) calendar, this year is 4692, the year of the dog.
Some Chinese still believe that the zodiac symbol you are born under predicts the type of person you will become.
Pearl Fu, who grew up in China and lives in Roanoke, explained that if a child is born in the year of the dragon, it is believed he or she will be very successful. ``The dragon is the most honored animal in Chinese history and culture,'' she said. ``It is the symbol of royalty and strength and of the Chinese emperor. The royal robes of princesses had dragons on them.'' Fu's full Chinese name is Dragon Pearl.
In China, New Year's Day is one of the most important holidays and families begin preparations months ahead. It is bad luck to do any work on that day, even cooking. No sharp instruments can be used - you might cut the good luck of the new year or sweep out the good luck if you use a broom.
Homes are decorated with fruits and flowers, symbols of good luck and growth. If a blossom opens on New Year's Day, it is a sign of a good and prosperous year. Red and orange scrolls hang on doors and walls with messages of good health, long life, prosperity and happiness written on them.
``Many foods are made in round shapes and served in round bowls, because roundness means togetherness, which is very important to Chinese families,'' Fu explained. Celebrations are centered on the family.
According to custom, whatever happens on the first day of the year may decide the events of that year. Everyone must be careful what he says and does, and should think only good thoughts and speak kind words. Everyone avoids punishing children, scolding, lying and swearng.
``On New Year's Day, everyone wears new clothes and new shoes,'' Fu said. ``It is bad luck to step on the ground with old shoes.''
Children receive money (lai see) from family, relatives and whomever comes to visit. The money is wrapped in red paper with messages for happiness for the new year. (Red is the color of good luck.)
In China, New Year's Day begins a festival that can last as long as 10 days. Schools are closed the whole time. Groups of children go from house to house, singing holiday songs. They are rewarded with sweetened cake - round as the family circle and sweet as peace - and other treats.
Traditional dancers wear heads of the ceremonial Chinese lion, Sze Tse, and dance in front of homes and businesses. Owners who offer the lion donations are blessed with joy and good fortune.
The parading of the dragon is one of the highlights of the celebration. The dragon appears only once a year to wish everyone peace, prosperity and good luck.
This holiday, which starts so quietly, ends with firecrackers, a smoke-breathing dragon and the beating of drums. You see, noise keeps the evil spirits away.
by CNB