Contact:  Rick Peterson, Manager of News Services, 920/832-6590
For Immediate Release
December 20, 1999

Lawrence University Celebrates African-American Heritage in Kwanzaa
Program


     APPLETON, WIS. -- Lawrence University commemorates traditional
African-American cultural heritage and awareness with its eighth annual
Kwanzaa celebration Saturday, Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Buchanan Kiewit
Recreation Center.
     The program will feature authentic African-American cuisine,
including corn bread and sweet potato pie, music by the Sambistas,
Lawrence's popular percussion ensemble, traditional African dances
performed by students from around the world and the ceremonial lighting
of a kinara.  The kinara holds seven candles, which represent the seven
principles on which Kwanzaa is based. 
     Kwanzaa -- a Swahili word that means "first fruits of the harvest"
-- is a unique African-American celebration traditionally observed from
Dec. 26 -Jan. 1.  It focuses reflection on the traditional African
values of family, community responsibility, commerce and
self-improvement. Kwanzaa was founded 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a
professor of Black Studies at the California State University at Long
Beach and is estimated to be observed by more than 15 million people
worldwide.
     Although not a religious holiday nor a substitute for Christmas,
Kwanzaa is a week-long observance that 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 Kwanzaa are $10 in advance and $12 at the door and are
available at the Lawrence University box office, 115 S. Drew St.,
Appleton, or can be ordered by calling 920/832-6749.