December 05, 2006
Spotlight on Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and
self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestry and culture. Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Since its creation in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than 18 million people worldwide, as reported by the New York Times. When establishing Kwanzaa in 1966, Dr. Karenga included an additional "a" to the end of the spelling to reflect the difference between the African American celebration (kwanzaa) and the Motherland spelling (kwanza).
Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.
1.Umoja (oo-MO-jah) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are."
2. Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) Self-Determination requires that African-Americans define their common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of their family and community.
3. Ujima (oo-GEE-mah) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds one of obligations to the past, present and future, and that there is a role to play in the community, society, and world.
4. Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) Cooperative Economics emphasizes the collective economic strength and encourages meeting common needs through mutual support.
5. Nia (NEE-yah) Purpose encourages one to look within oneself and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.
6. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity makes use of creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.
7. Imani (ee-MAH-nee) Faith focuses on honoring the best of African-American traditions, draws upon the best, and helps members of the community strive for a higher level of life for humankind.
Gifts are usually exchanged between parents and children and traditionally given on January 1st, the last day of Kwanzaa. However, gift giving during Kwanzaa may occur at any time.
The Kwanzaa Karumu ( FEAST ) It is a very special event as it is the one Kwanzaa event that brings us closer to one’s African roots. The Karamu is a communal and cooperative effort. Ceremonies and cultural expressions are highly encouraged .
Where did THAT come from...?
Decorating with Christmas Trees and Other Evergreens
Christmas tree decorating, decking the halls with boughs of holly, or perhaps even the kiss-promoting mistletoe seems so natural to us now during the holiday season, as it would have to pagans throughout history and pre-history. Surprisingly, the history of the Christmas tree in the winter holiday celebrations has not been one big merry sleigh-ride.
Get beyond the commercialism of Christmas, and think about the symbolism -- and the psychology. Evergreen trees and the clippings of evergreen shrubs are widely harvested from the Northern landscape and brought inside to promote good cheer and hope. When everything else on the landscape is dead or dormant, holly, mistletoe, laurel, boxwood and evergreen trees remind us of better times to come -- the return of a green landscape in spring.
However, Christmas tree decorating and using the clippings of evergreen shrubs as decorations for Christmas has been a controversial practice at times in Western history. When the Roman Church decided in the fourth century that Christmas should be celebrated on December 25, some of the pagan celebrations of the Roman Saturnalia (celebrated at the same time of year) were carried over. This caused much consternation amoung the Church Fathers.
In the sixteenth century John Calvin objected to observing the Christian calendar -- which included Christmas and Easter -- because he felt such celebrations promoted irreligious frivolity. It was in this same century that Germany, by contrast, was establishing Christmas tree decorating - a heritage from their Teutonic forebears. In England the Puritans, influenced by Calvin, forbade the observance of Christmas and it wasn't until the mid-nineteenth century, at the instigation of Prince Albert, German consort of Queen Victoria, that Christmas tree decorating achieved its present status in England.
Given its roots in English history, North America was predictably late in adopting the Christmas tree. The Massachusetts Puritans' second governor, William Bradford, wrote that he tried hard to stamp out 'pagan mockery' of the observance, penalizing any foolishness.... In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of December 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the nineteenth century, when the influx of German immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy. In 1856...Christmas was made a legal holiday in Massachusetts.
Recipes from Near and Far...
KWANZAA RECIPES
Sweet Potato Fritters
1 lb sweet potatoes; peeled and coarsely shredded
3 large eggs
3 T. flour
1 sm onion; coarsely shredded
Vegetable oil for frying
Salt
Pepper
Spread potatoes and onion on clean dish towel; roll up, twisting towel to extract excess moisture from vegetables.
In bowl, whisk eggs, flour, 1/2 t salt and 1/4 t pepper until smooth
In large nonstick skillet, heat 1/4 cup oil over medium-high heat. Ad vegetables to batter; mix. Spoon mixture into skillet, allowing heaping 1 T for each fritter; with back of spoon, flatten slightly. Fry, six fritters at a time, 4 minutes. Turn; cook 2 to 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels; keep warm while frying remaining fritters, adding more oil if necessary.
Yield: 6-8 Servings
Benne Cakes
You will need: oil to grease a cookie sheet
1 c finely packed brown sugar
1/4 c butter or margarine, softened
1 egg, beaten
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 c toasted sesame seeds
Preheat the oven to 325̊. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Mix together the brown sugar and butter, and beat until they are creamy. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and sesame seeds. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto the cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 mintues or until the edges are browned. Enjoy!
Benne cakes are a food from West Africa. Benne means sesame seeds. The sesame seeds are eaten for good luck. This treat is still eaten in some parts of the American South.
Southern Fried Okra
1 lb fresh okra, cut 1 inch pieces
1 lg green tomato, diced
1 med onion chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 Jalapeno pepper halved & sliced, remove seeds if too hot
2 eggs beaten
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 c milk
1 c cornmeal
1/4 c vegetable oil
Combine okra, tomato, onion, garlic & jalapeno in large bowl. In separate bowl combine eggs, salt, pepper, milk. Pour egg mix over veggies and toss to thoroughly coat. Gradually add cornmeal until mixture on the okra and at the bottom of the bowl soaked up. Continue to toss till ingredients evenly mixed. Mixture will have a gooey consistency.
Heat oil in 10 inch skillet over med. heat until hot. Oil is ready when dash of cornmeal sizzles.
Spoon mixture evenly in skillet. Reduce heat to med low. Cover and fry till underside golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Then invert on plate and slide other-side up into skillet and cook uncovered 5-8 min until golden brown. Remove from skillet to paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot.
HOT ENGLISH WASSAIL PUNCH
Ingredients:
1 gal. sweet cider
1 cup lemon juice
4 cups orange juice
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3 teaspoons allspice
4 pieces stick cinnamon
Directions:
Combine all ingredients; bring to a simmer. Let stand in an earthenware crock overnight. Strain through cloth; reheat and serve hot.
This recipe for Hot English Wassail Punch serves 40
CHANUKAH CHEESE LATKES
Ingredients:
Soft cream cheese; (4 oz.)
2 eggs, separated
1/2 cup flour
1 Tbs. sugar
1 cup cottage cheese
1/2 tsp. salt
Cinnamon to taste
Directions:
Mix cream cheese with egg yolks. Add sugar and cottage cheese. Add flour, a little at a time, and mix well. Beat egg whites until stiff, then fold into the cheese mixture. Heat oil in pan and drop batter by spoonfuls into oil. Fry until brown, turn once. Serve with sour cream or apple sauce. Makes 30. May be frozen.
Happy Holiday Season to All…
Susanna King