Lawrence University Kwanzaa Program Celebrates African-American Heritage

APPLETON, WIS. -- Lawrence University commemorates African-American cultural heritage and awareness Saturday, Jan. 13 with its ninth annual Kwanzaa celebration. The program will be held in Lawrence's Buchanan Kiewit Recreation Center beginning at 6 p.m..

The evening program features authentic African-American cuisine, music by Kinkaviwo, Lawrence's African percussion ensemble, Caribbean and calypso music performed by Waterhouse, a Chicago-based band of African and West Indies musicians and a formal Kwanzaa libation ceremony.

The African-American holiday of Kwanzaa -- a Swahili word that means "first fruits of the harvest" -- is traditionally observed from Dec. 26 -Jan. 1. Founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a Black Studies professor at the California State University at Long Beach, Kwanzaa focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self-improvement.

Although not a religious holiday nor a substitute for Christmas, Kwanzaa's week-long observance sets aside each day for reflection on one of the seven principles African-Americans believe they should live by: unity; self-determination; collective work and responsibility; cooperative economics; purpose; creativity; and faith.

Tickets for Lawrence's Kwanzaa celebration are $10, or groups of 10 or more $9 each, and are available through the Lawrence University box office, 920/832-6749.