Contact:  Rick Peterson, Manager of News Services, 414/832-6590
For Immediate Release				December 19, 1996
 
Kwanzaa Celebration Comes to Lawrence University Campus January 11  
 
 
APPLETON, WIS. -- Traditional African-American cultural heritage and awareness
will be observed Saturday, January 11 when Lawrence University hosts its fifth
annual Kwanzaa celebration.  Open to the public, the program begins at  6:30
p.m. in the Buchanan Kiewit Recreation Center and features authentic African-
American food, music by the Lawrence percussion ensemble "Sambistas," the
Lawrence University Jazz Trio, the Marquette University Gospel Choir, as well
as entertainment performed by Lawrence students from around the world. 

Kwanzaa -- literally "first fruits of the harvest" in Swahili -- was created in
1966 by Maulana Karenga, a univer professor in California, and has evolved into
an annual celebration for Black Americans as well as others of African descent. 
The week-long observat-- -- traditionally observed from  Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 --
focuses on African and African-inspired culture and a  traditional value
system. 

Kwanzaa is based on seven principles that recur in many African ceremonies. 
While the celebration is not a religious holiday, nor a substitute for
Christmas, each day during Kwanzaa is set aside for reflection on one of the
seven principles African-Americans believe they should live by:  unity (12/26);
self-determination (12/27); collective work and responsibility (12/28);
cooperative economics (12/29); purpose (12/30); creativity (12/31); and faith
(1/1).

Tickets for the Lawrence Kwanzaa celebration, at $10 for general admission ($12
at the door) and $6 for senior citizens ($8 at the door) are available at the
Lawrence University Box Office, 115 S. Drew Street, Appleton, beginning January
6.  For more information, contact the Lawrence Public Events Office, 414/832-
6585.