History Happenings: Kwanzaa

Before we jump into this month’s story, we wanted to be sure to bring you a good “catch” made by our friend Pete Looney in regards to last month’s article on the history of the Cedar Rapids Kernels. While MLB lists Cedar Rapids minor league team’s affiliation with the Milwaukee Braves as beginning in 1962, the Gazette archives reveal that it actually started with the opening of the 1958 season. Our thanks to Pete — and to everyone who writes in to share with us their thoughts on the column.

With that out of the way, we wanted to turn our attention to the holiday season and to a cultural celebration specifically: Kwanzaa.

What is Kwanzaa?

Unlike many of the other holidays observed during the winter, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday. Instead, Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Ron Karenga, the current chair of the African Studies Department at California State University, Long Beach, in 1966 as a celebration of African American (and Pan-African more broadly) history and culture.

There are seven principles of Kwanzaa that come from values intrinsic to communities across Africa. Translated from Swahili, these values are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Kwanzaa is observed annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.

Learning about Kwanzaa at Taylor Elementary

On Dec. 27, 1990, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported that students at Taylor Elementary School (now Cedar River Academy at Taylor Elementary) got the chance to learn about Kwanzaa prior to leaving for winter break Dec. 20.

Third- and fourth-grade students hosted the rest of the school in the gym after they spent a week learning about the traditional ways in which Kwanzaa is observed.

Gazette reporter Lisa Ann Caldwell wrote: “The gym was decorated with many of the symbols of Kwanzaa. At the front of the gym was a table topped with a kinara, a candle holder with seven candles for each day of Kwanzaa. The candles colored red, black and green. Red for the blood of the people of Africa; black for the faces of the people; and green for the land symbolically for the children.”

The celebration also included music and readings and was designed to introduce all Taylor students to a tradition that they may not have learned about otherwise.

Food tied to African American culture

Ahead of the holiday on Dec. 24, 1996, the Gazette published a few recipes to celebrate Kwanzaa. The article notes that food found at Kwanzaa celebrations is traditionally tied to African American culture in an effort to reinforce values across generations.

This recipe for Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole caught our eye:

2 pounds sweet potatoes, cooked, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks (about 4 cups)

2 apples, peeled, thinly sliced

2/3 cup maple-flavored pancake and waffle syrup

1.4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, melted

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup flake coconut

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place sweet potatoes in greased 13-by-9-inch baking dish; top with apples. Mix syrup, butter and salt; pour over apples. Sprinkle with coconut; cover. Bake 30 minutes. Uncover. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until apples are tender and coconut is lightly browned. Makes 8 servings.

Note: Casserole can be prepared in advance and reheated, adding additional syrup, if necessary.

Celebrating with the community

By 2000, Diana Nollen for the Gazette was reporting on Kwanzaa celebrations in the Cedar Rapids community growing in numbers — a trend that matched with observance rates around the country.

Nollen spoke to Bertha Harris, then gift shop manager at the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa, who said of Kwanzaa that “[i]t reinforces what your ancestors have taught you over the years — the unity of family and friends, and your struggles.”

Harris also pointed out that Kwanzaa is not associated with the consumerism that can feel omnipresent during the end of year. She said that “[t]he gifts are something made by the children and given to the ancestors, the older relatives in the family, showing the significance they taught them. Something pertaining to the struggles or prosperity and education they’re being given. It’s to let them know they’re grateful.”

During that Kwanzaa season, the African American Historical Museum and Cultural Center of Iowa hosted events each of the seven days where traditional rituals were explained and performed.

Grateful for the holiday season

We are wishing all of our readers a peaceful holiday season — no matter what traditions they observe.

Jessica Cline is a Leadership & Character Scholar at Wake Forest University. Her dad, Rob Cline, is not a scholar of any kind. They write this monthly column for The History Center. Comments: HistoricalClines@gmail.com