Kwanzaa : December 26 - January 1
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and also celebrated in the Western African Diaspora in other nations of the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga, and was first celebrated in 1966–67.
Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:
Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves,
and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed, corn
(Muhindi) and other crops, a candle holder kinara with seven candles (Mishumaa Saba), a communal cup for pouring libation (Kikombe cha Umoja), gifts (Zawadi), a poster of the seven principles, and a black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles.
Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:
Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves,
and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed, corn
(Muhindi) and other crops, a candle holder kinara with seven candles (Mishumaa Saba), a communal cup for pouring libation (Kikombe cha Umoja), gifts (Zawadi), a poster of the seven principles, and a black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles.
Jaku Konbit's 2016 Kwanzaa Celebration : Sunday, December 18!
Jaku Konbit's 2013 Kwanzaa Celebration : Saturday, December 28!
Saturday, December 28
4pm-7pm (Dance only: 7:00pm to 1:00am for adults)
Ukrainian Hall - 1000 Byron Ave. Ottawa K2A 0J3 Ottawa
Kwanzaa 2013 Celebration. Come And enjoy drumming, singing,
and dancing. Tickets: $10 for Adults Children 12 and under: $5 Call to reserve your ticket: Phone: (613) 567-0600 Free admission to dance with Kwanzaa Ticket. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. Music By
DJ Hypnotx Soundz All. Proceeds will go towards the Black Star Tutoring Program. For more info, call Jaku konbit at 613-567-0600 or visit our website at www.jakukonbit.com
What you missed in 2011! Photos by Sarah Onyango
4pm-7pm (Dance only: 7:00pm to 1:00am for adults)
Ukrainian Hall - 1000 Byron Ave. Ottawa K2A 0J3 Ottawa
Kwanzaa 2013 Celebration. Come And enjoy drumming, singing,
and dancing. Tickets: $10 for Adults Children 12 and under: $5 Call to reserve your ticket: Phone: (613) 567-0600 Free admission to dance with Kwanzaa Ticket. Food and refreshments will be available for sale. Music By
DJ Hypnotx Soundz All. Proceeds will go towards the Black Star Tutoring Program. For more info, call Jaku konbit at 613-567-0600 or visit our website at www.jakukonbit.com
What you missed in 2011! Photos by Sarah Onyango
Kwanzaa 2012 at Village Ithiopia - December 26, 2012 to January 1, 2013
Kwanzaa at Village Ithiopia : A weeklong Celebration
December26, 2012 to January 1, 2013
Wednesday, December 26
WE WILL UNITE
5:00pm – 8:30pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Lighting ceremony to launch Ottawa’s one-week Kwanzaa celebration. We will be lighting of the first candle on the Official Ottawa Kinara (designed by Village Ithiopia in 2012), representing the first day of Kwanzaa. The Ottawa Kinara was designed to reflect the Nguzo Saba – the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa - principles created by Dr. Maulana Karenga.
WE WILL UNITE is a rallying point, Village Ithiopia is inviting the community to reaffirm this statement We
Will Unite by passing through even if it isfor 15 min. After the Lighting ceremony everyone is well-come to come to partake in refreshments and warm drinks, coffee, tea and hot chocolate contributed by a local coffee shop. The evening will open and close with Drumming by Chiko Chazunguza. *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca (Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel:(613)562-0311.
Thursday December 27
FIND OUR VOICE
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Empowerment Lecture brought to you by Amun Ra from the Wu-Nuwaupu Nation: Mental Resurrection: This Mental Resurrection presentation will be an introduction to the Wu-Nuwaupu Nation. This lecture represents the launch of a series of lectures from the Wu-Nuwaupu nation, that will be held every second month, starting in
2013. They will also be selling their Nuwaupu products such as books, dvd’s and more. *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca (Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel:(613)562-0311.
Tel: ( 613) 562-0311 430 RIDEAU STREET Fax :( 613) 321-3191 OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1N 5Z1 www.villageithiopia.ca
Friday December 28
WEAVING OUR COMMUNITY
11:30pm-6:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Outreach with Kwanzaa Packages this is a new initiative by Village Ithiopia to fulfill the Kwanzaa theme
"KWANZAA TO THE FOREFRONT/ KWANZAA À L'AVANT-GARDE". This day consists of the distribution of a free Kwanzaa package to community members; All are well-come to sign up on line at:
http://villageithiopia.ca/volunteers.html or by phone at: Village Ithiopia is also looking for community volunteers to aid in assembling and dropping off or making arrangement to deliver these packages.
*Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
Forr more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca (Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel:(613)562-0311.
Saturday December 29
TRADING
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Come out and see a showcase of various businesses from the area, and have a chance to purchase items that you might not find in your commercial stores. Some of the traders are Sankofa Bookstore, Black Starliner Studio, Bold Apparel Custom T-Shirt printing on the spot, Printall.info (printing/photocopy services).Village Ithiopia Kwanzaa Line (Hat, scarf, kinaras, hoodies, t-shirt etc.) and more. The community is welcome to setup a table and make their products available, the cost of setting up a table is a simple donation. *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!! For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca(Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel: 613 562 0311
Tel :( 613) 562-0311 430 RIDEAU STREET Fax :( 613) 321-3191 OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1N 5Z1 www.villageithiopia.ca
Sunday December 30
CULTIVATING HARMONY
11:30pm - 5:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Children Day with traditional games & story telling is an event for children and organized by children (Princess NyAshia Sankofa I, Prince Melchizedek & Princess Niara Negeste) – supported by adults. This event will give children a chance to learn the origin of certain popular games, re-connect with afro-centric games as well as re-live games from our culture. Story Telling, at 3:00 pm, from "Words to the Wise" by Julene Davidson and other
guest story tellers from the community. *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!! For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca(Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel: 613 562 0311
Monday December 31
CULTURAL EXPRESSION
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Art, Poetry & Music Empowerment Session. The purpose of this event is to feature various genres of cultural expression including: Spoken Word, Music (Bands and soloists), Visual Arts, Comedy, etc… *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca(Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel: 613 562 0311
Tuesday January 1st , 2013
SOVEREIGNTY & INDEPENDENCE
6:00pm-9:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
The Maroon(Mawons) Link To Haiti. A showcase of the Maroons present in Haiti. 1738 Cockpit Country Treaty. 1804 Bookman a maroon. Liberation & Independence discussion of The Jamaican, Haitian and Caribbean Commonness – THE MAROON..
"Celebrating the Commonness that Liberates not the differences that Segregates"
by Negus Garvey.
*Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca(Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel: 613 562 0311
December26, 2012 to January 1, 2013
Wednesday, December 26
WE WILL UNITE
5:00pm – 8:30pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Lighting ceremony to launch Ottawa’s one-week Kwanzaa celebration. We will be lighting of the first candle on the Official Ottawa Kinara (designed by Village Ithiopia in 2012), representing the first day of Kwanzaa. The Ottawa Kinara was designed to reflect the Nguzo Saba – the 7 Principles of Kwanzaa - principles created by Dr. Maulana Karenga.
WE WILL UNITE is a rallying point, Village Ithiopia is inviting the community to reaffirm this statement We
Will Unite by passing through even if it isfor 15 min. After the Lighting ceremony everyone is well-come to come to partake in refreshments and warm drinks, coffee, tea and hot chocolate contributed by a local coffee shop. The evening will open and close with Drumming by Chiko Chazunguza. *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca (Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel:(613)562-0311.
Thursday December 27
FIND OUR VOICE
6:30pm – 9:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Empowerment Lecture brought to you by Amun Ra from the Wu-Nuwaupu Nation: Mental Resurrection: This Mental Resurrection presentation will be an introduction to the Wu-Nuwaupu Nation. This lecture represents the launch of a series of lectures from the Wu-Nuwaupu nation, that will be held every second month, starting in
2013. They will also be selling their Nuwaupu products such as books, dvd’s and more. *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca (Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel:(613)562-0311.
Tel: ( 613) 562-0311 430 RIDEAU STREET Fax :( 613) 321-3191 OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1N 5Z1 www.villageithiopia.ca
Friday December 28
WEAVING OUR COMMUNITY
11:30pm-6:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Outreach with Kwanzaa Packages this is a new initiative by Village Ithiopia to fulfill the Kwanzaa theme
"KWANZAA TO THE FOREFRONT/ KWANZAA À L'AVANT-GARDE". This day consists of the distribution of a free Kwanzaa package to community members; All are well-come to sign up on line at:
http://villageithiopia.ca/volunteers.html or by phone at: Village Ithiopia is also looking for community volunteers to aid in assembling and dropping off or making arrangement to deliver these packages.
*Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
Forr more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca (Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel:(613)562-0311.
Saturday December 29
TRADING
12:00pm - 5:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Come out and see a showcase of various businesses from the area, and have a chance to purchase items that you might not find in your commercial stores. Some of the traders are Sankofa Bookstore, Black Starliner Studio, Bold Apparel Custom T-Shirt printing on the spot, Printall.info (printing/photocopy services).Village Ithiopia Kwanzaa Line (Hat, scarf, kinaras, hoodies, t-shirt etc.) and more. The community is welcome to setup a table and make their products available, the cost of setting up a table is a simple donation. *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!! For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca(Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel: 613 562 0311
Tel :( 613) 562-0311 430 RIDEAU STREET Fax :( 613) 321-3191 OTTAWA, ONTARIO K1N 5Z1 www.villageithiopia.ca
Sunday December 30
CULTIVATING HARMONY
11:30pm - 5:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Children Day with traditional games & story telling is an event for children and organized by children (Princess NyAshia Sankofa I, Prince Melchizedek & Princess Niara Negeste) – supported by adults. This event will give children a chance to learn the origin of certain popular games, re-connect with afro-centric games as well as re-live games from our culture. Story Telling, at 3:00 pm, from "Words to the Wise" by Julene Davidson and other
guest story tellers from the community. *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!! For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca(Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel: 613 562 0311
Monday December 31
CULTURAL EXPRESSION
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
Art, Poetry & Music Empowerment Session. The purpose of this event is to feature various genres of cultural expression including: Spoken Word, Music (Bands and soloists), Visual Arts, Comedy, etc… *Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca(Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel: 613 562 0311
Tuesday January 1st , 2013
SOVEREIGNTY & INDEPENDENCE
6:00pm-9:00pm
Village Ithiopia - 430 Rideau Street (corner of Chapel St.)
The Maroon(Mawons) Link To Haiti. A showcase of the Maroons present in Haiti. 1738 Cockpit Country Treaty. 1804 Bookman a maroon. Liberation & Independence discussion of The Jamaican, Haitian and Caribbean Commonness – THE MAROON..
"Celebrating the Commonness that Liberates not the differences that Segregates"
by Negus Garvey.
*Admission and refreshments by contribution. !!!Contribute so we can all celebrate!!!
For more updates visit www.villageithiopia.ca(Kwanzaa calendar) or Tel: 613 562 0311
Celebrate Kwanzaa 2011 at the Canadian Museum of Civilization! Dec. 30, 6pm
Friday, December 30, 2011
6PM - 9PM
Canadian Museum of Civilization, 100 Rue Laurier Gatineau, QC
In 2011, Ottawans and visitors, their friends and families celebrated Kwanzaa with Jaku Konbit at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. That year’s theme “Kwanzaa ~Celebrating Diversity” showcased the essential message of Kwanzaa as a non-religious, and non-political Cultural Holiday, promoting family values, community development and cultural diversity in the Nation’s Capital. This intergenerational and multicultural event is an excellent way to kick off the new year! For more information about Kwanzaa, its origins and 7 principles, please visit the Jaku Konbit website www.jakukonbit.com
6PM - 9PM
Canadian Museum of Civilization, 100 Rue Laurier Gatineau, QC
In 2011, Ottawans and visitors, their friends and families celebrated Kwanzaa with Jaku Konbit at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. That year’s theme “Kwanzaa ~Celebrating Diversity” showcased the essential message of Kwanzaa as a non-religious, and non-political Cultural Holiday, promoting family values, community development and cultural diversity in the Nation’s Capital. This intergenerational and multicultural event is an excellent way to kick off the new year! For more information about Kwanzaa, its origins and 7 principles, please visit the Jaku Konbit website www.jakukonbit.com
2011 Ujamaa Market Day - Saturday, Dec. 10
Saturday, December 10, 2011
11am – 6pm
Bronson Centre (Mac Hall), 211 Bronson Ave., Ottawa
UJAMAA Market brings together a variety of vendors from the African and Caribbean community under one roof and just in time for Holiday Shopping. UJAMAA, (Cooperative Economics) is the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, encourages buying local to support businesses in your community as they provide jobs, resources and products for you and your family. It celebrates and recognizes the wealth that culture brings to making our community diverse, rich and vibrant.
Kwanzaa is a time of year to come together as a community to celebrate the fruits of our labor throughout the past year. We do this by reflecting, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing in an atmosphere of peace, love and unity. Join the CELEBRATION!
CHUO 89.1fm BROADCASTING LIVE on location!!!
Vendors: Silpada Designs Sterling Silver Jewelry, Simple Industries’ Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, Socaramba (fitness), Chidima Dezigns, Sankofa Books, Happy Feet Reflexology, Adorit Eco Fabrics, Image of a Goddess Mounted Art, AVON and much, much more.
Light refreshments for sale. Please bring your recycling bags for your purchases.
For more info on Jaku Konbit and on Kwanzaa, please visit: jakukonbit.com
For the UJAMAA Market, please call Tarrah at 613-567-0600 or email info@jakukonbit.com
About Jaku Konbit:
Jaku Konbit is a registered, non-profit, community-based, family and service-oriented organization serving Black-Canadians in the Ottawa Region. Jaku Konbit’s mandate is to support and ameliorate the lives of Black-Canadian children and youth in Ottawa. Jaku Konbit’s main mission is to create and foster positive educational experiences through our academic-based programs for African-Canadian children and youth. We also provide Black-Canadian children and youth in Ottawa with socio-cultural experiences and exchanges aimed at cultivating a stronger awareness of African-Canadian culture and history in Canada, and also equally engaging participants in larger Canadian activities on a whole which is key to their understanding of Canada.
For information contact:
Kenneth Campbell
President
Jaku Konbit
kemetca@yahoo.ca
Tel: (613) 567-0600
www.jakukonbit.com
11am – 6pm
Bronson Centre (Mac Hall), 211 Bronson Ave., Ottawa
UJAMAA Market brings together a variety of vendors from the African and Caribbean community under one roof and just in time for Holiday Shopping. UJAMAA, (Cooperative Economics) is the fourth principle of Kwanzaa, encourages buying local to support businesses in your community as they provide jobs, resources and products for you and your family. It celebrates and recognizes the wealth that culture brings to making our community diverse, rich and vibrant.
Kwanzaa is a time of year to come together as a community to celebrate the fruits of our labor throughout the past year. We do this by reflecting, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding and rejoicing in an atmosphere of peace, love and unity. Join the CELEBRATION!
CHUO 89.1fm BROADCASTING LIVE on location!!!
Vendors: Silpada Designs Sterling Silver Jewelry, Simple Industries’ Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee, Socaramba (fitness), Chidima Dezigns, Sankofa Books, Happy Feet Reflexology, Adorit Eco Fabrics, Image of a Goddess Mounted Art, AVON and much, much more.
Light refreshments for sale. Please bring your recycling bags for your purchases.
For more info on Jaku Konbit and on Kwanzaa, please visit: jakukonbit.com
For the UJAMAA Market, please call Tarrah at 613-567-0600 or email info@jakukonbit.com
About Jaku Konbit:
Jaku Konbit is a registered, non-profit, community-based, family and service-oriented organization serving Black-Canadians in the Ottawa Region. Jaku Konbit’s mandate is to support and ameliorate the lives of Black-Canadian children and youth in Ottawa. Jaku Konbit’s main mission is to create and foster positive educational experiences through our academic-based programs for African-Canadian children and youth. We also provide Black-Canadian children and youth in Ottawa with socio-cultural experiences and exchanges aimed at cultivating a stronger awareness of African-Canadian culture and history in Canada, and also equally engaging participants in larger Canadian activities on a whole which is key to their understanding of Canada.
For information contact:
Kenneth Campbell
President
Jaku Konbit
kemetca@yahoo.ca
Tel: (613) 567-0600
www.jakukonbit.com
2011 Ottawa Kwanzaa 3-Day Festival - A multicultural celebration!
The Ottawa Kwanzaa Festival is the largest indoor, non-religious cultural celebration of its kind in the National Capital Region, attracting well over 600 people annually. Kwanzaa not only showcases the rich contribution and achievements that people of African descent have made, but also adds to the multicultural mosaic landscape of the National Capital Region of which Ottawa is a model example.
For more details about each event and info on Jaku Konbit, please visit www.jakukonbit.com
**********************************************************************
1. Ujamaa Market Day
Saturday, December 10
11am-6pm
211 Bronson Centre, Mac Hall
Cost: FREE
Event Details: As the season of gifting approaches please support entrepreneurs in your local area. Come out to the Ujamaa Market Day, be entertained by children and youth while perusing some of the many products and services being offered at this one-of-a-kind market.
*********************************************************************
2. Lighting The Kinara
Tuesday, December 26
5pm -7pm
211 Bronson Centre, Mac Hall
Cost: FREE
Event Details: Join us as we mark the first day of Kwanzaa with the lighting of the Kinara and the viewing of the Black Candle Movie.
*********************************************************************
3. Kwanzaa Gala Concert
Friday, December 30
6pm -9pm
The Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization/ 100 Laurier Street Gatineau,
Tickets:$25 (adults) $20 (seniors and youth) $15 (children 12 and under)To purchase your ticket please call
818-222-33- or 613-567-0600
Event Details: The highlight of the Holiday Season –Join us for a festival celebration of colors, music, dance, costumes and fun for the whole family.
For more details about each event and info on Jaku Konbit, please visit www.jakukonbit.com
**********************************************************************
1. Ujamaa Market Day
Saturday, December 10
11am-6pm
211 Bronson Centre, Mac Hall
Cost: FREE
Event Details: As the season of gifting approaches please support entrepreneurs in your local area. Come out to the Ujamaa Market Day, be entertained by children and youth while perusing some of the many products and services being offered at this one-of-a-kind market.
*********************************************************************
2. Lighting The Kinara
Tuesday, December 26
5pm -7pm
211 Bronson Centre, Mac Hall
Cost: FREE
Event Details: Join us as we mark the first day of Kwanzaa with the lighting of the Kinara and the viewing of the Black Candle Movie.
*********************************************************************
3. Kwanzaa Gala Concert
Friday, December 30
6pm -9pm
The Grand Hall of the Canadian Museum of Civilization/ 100 Laurier Street Gatineau,
Tickets:$25 (adults) $20 (seniors and youth) $15 (children 12 and under)To purchase your ticket please call
818-222-33- or 613-567-0600
Event Details: The highlight of the Holiday Season –Join us for a festival celebration of colors, music, dance, costumes and fun for the whole family.