A gathering of community elders Wednesday night at the Delaware Historical Society will launch five nights of Kwanzaa celebrations.
The Elders Forum at the Mitchell Center for African American Heritage at 504 N. Market St. in Wilmington will feature a conversation about cultural traditions, Kwanzaa through the years, and how to maintain community.
Light refreshments will be provided at the 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. event on Wednesday, Dec. 27.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that starts Dec. 26 and lasts through Jan. 1. During the week, participants celebrate seven principles: Umoja (unity); Kujichagulia (self-determination); Ujima (collective work and responsibility); Ujamaa (cooperative economics); Nia (purpose); Kuumba (creativity); and Imani (faith).
Each day is devoted to one principle, often with a candle lit to commemorate it. The celebration uses red, green and one black candle.
More Kwanzaa events
The other events include:
- Thursday night’s traditional Kwanzaa celebration at PAL Wilmington will feature youth performers, food, arts & crafts and more. It will last from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. PAL Wilmington is at 3707 N. Market St.
- Friday’s dashiki party will take place from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Wilmington Public Library at 10 E. 10th St. Participants are invited to dress in their best dashiki or other African attire and be ready to party. Food will be provided.
- A virtual celebration will take place Saturday, Dec. 30, and Sunday, Dec. 31, on Zoom, starting at 6 p.m. and live streamed from the PAL Wilmington. Click here to join the events.
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Betsy Price is a Wilmington freelance writer who has 40 years of experience, including 15 at The News Journal in Delaware.
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