Honor Kwanzaa and its foundational principle “umoja” (unity) with the Tulsa City-County Library at two special events focused on togetherness and community strength.

   Celebrate the Kwanzaa holiday with simple and fun crafts to share for the season on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Suburban Acres Library, 4606 N. Garrison. Limited supplies are provided. All ages are welcome.

   TCCL’s African-American Resource Center invites all ages to its annual Kwanzaa celebration on Thursday, Dec. 26 from 6 to 8:45 p.m. at the Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford. Join African-American dancers and drummers to celebrate the harvest and the beginning of a successful year. Do you sing, dance, perform spoken word or play a musical instrument? Share your talent during the “Mamanem” segment of the program as we honor our ancestors and celebrate our community. Each student age 18 or younger will receive a free book.

   Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. The weeklong celebration focuses on a different principle each day, the first of which is unity. This theme will be highlighted at the Rudisill Regional Library’s event as community members gather to learn about and celebrate Kwanzaa.

   “It is really important to remind ourselves every year about the commitment to our community, about bringing everybody together so that we remember what the goal is and what the vision is,” said Alicia Latimer, Tulsa City-County Library’s African-American Resource Center coordinator.

   The “Mamanem” segment in particular will demonstrate the importance of celebrating African-American culture and cultivating a strong community – two goals the Rudisill Regional Library strives toward year-round. As talents are shared by community members of all ages, participants will reflect on the past, honor ancestors and look forward as one to embrace what lies ahead.

   “We love the spirit of togetherness when the drummers come in and all present respect the tradition of honoring the past and embracing the future,” said Latimer.

   The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: 

  • “Umoja” (unity) – Maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
  • “Kujichagulia” (self-determination) – Define, name, create and speak for ourselves.
  • “Ujima” (collective work and responsibility) – Build and maintain community together and solve problems as a group.
  • “Ujamaa” (cooperative economics) – Build and maintain stores and shops, and profit from them together.
  • “Nia” (purpose) – Make building the community a collective vocation.
  • “Kuumba” (creativity) – Do as much as possible to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than before.
  • “Imani” (faith) – Believe in our people, parents, teachers and leaders.

   For more information about TCCL’s Kwanzaa celebrations, call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323, or visit www.tulsalibrary.org.

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