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Writer's pictureBella Garza

San Diego Celebrates Kwanzaa-History and Balboa Park's 43rd Celebration


Balboa Park's World Beat Center
Balbo Park’s World Beat Center (Photo by Duncan Cumming on Flickr)

Balboa Park, a hub of cultural festivities in San Diego, is set to host their 43rd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration. This cherished event, rich in history and cultural significance, brings together the San Diego community to honor the principles of Kwanzaa and celebrate African American legacy. Learn the fascinating origin of this tradition and its roots, highlighting its enduring impact on the development of unity and embracing diversity.


Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga as a result of the Watts Riots in Los Angeles, California, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating history, family, community, and cultural values. The riots were sparked by deep-rooted racial tensions and social injustices faced by the African American community, leading Maulana to develop Kwanzaa as a way to honor African heritage and inspire positive social change. The holiday is one week long, from the 26th of December to the 1st of January. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The name "Kwanzaa" is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits." The holiday centers itself around communitarian values found throughout the continent of Africa. These principles and their translations include Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). 


During the week-long celebration, families come together to share a feast, honoring their ancestors and celebrating African culture. On each day of Kwanzaa, celebrants light a candle highlighting that day's principle alongside other various activities such as reciting the sayings or writings of African writers, reciting original poetry, African drumming, and sharing African diaspora-inspired meals. The table where many of these activities center around is decorated with symbols of Kwanzaa such as the Kinara, a candle holder, Mkeka, a mat, Muhindi, corn representing children, Mazao, fruit representing harvest, and Zawadi, gifts. Decorations also include the colors of the Pan-African flag: red symbolizes struggle, black represents the people, and green represents the natural abundance of Africa. These colors were first proclaimed to be the colors for all people of the African diaspora by Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican activist.


Kwanzaa has grown in popularity since its inception and is celebrated not only in the United States but also in various parts of the African diaspora. It serves as a time for reflection, cultural expression, and strengthening community bonds, promoting unity, self-awareness, and a commitment to positive social change


As for Balboa Park’s holiday celebration, explore this lively cultural event held at the World Beat Center from December 26th to the 29th, opening its doors at 6:30 PM and inviting all to an immersive experience until 9:00 PM each night. Celebrating four of the seven days of Kwanzaa, each day will feature powerful special guest speakers or performers as education and entertainment, adding depth and inspiration to the experience. One of these guests is JohnnieRenee Nia Nelson, an award-winning writer who will be reading inspiring cultural poetry aloud to attendees. In respect of the spirit of preserving family heritage, heirloom seeds will also be available free of charge for any family interested. Moreover, in honor of the holiday and its traditions, there will also be immersive ceremonial candle lighting and drumming alongside a traditional Karamu feast for families to share.


Now, regarding the lineup of speakers and performers, each subject will be related to the principle of that day according to Kwanzaa. On the first day of the holiday, attendees come together to celebrate unity. Here, Balboa Park will be featuring guest speaker Starla Lewis, a life mastery coach and professor. In terms of performance, a harp performance by Mariea Antoinette and an African drum and dance performance by Djelia Kadi will be present. As the second day celebrates self-determination, the talented Diva Works Dance Youth takes the stage to present its “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Embracing the principle of collective work and responsibility, the third day features special spokespeople discussing the topic of health. Dr. Derah, a certified health practitioner, iridologist, and herbalist is one of the special guests, as well as Darin Diggs, who is speaking on the importance of access to fresh produce from farmers as a form of community effort. Complementary to these discussions, the celebration will be accompanied by a musical performance of Ibrahima Ba. On the last day of Balboa’s celebration, the day’s principle of focus is cooperative economics. Guest speaker, author Phil Brown, will present on financial literacy, educating attendees with the knowledge and tools to make financial decisions. Furthermore, Cheryl Branch will present valuable information regarding grant writing for community-based organizations. Along with presentations, this day will also feature a Capoeira performance by Os Malandros De Mestre Touro and music by Ibrahima Ba.


From its humble beginning in 1966 as a holiday only inspired by traditions in Africa to its widespread recognition today, Kwanzaa has become a reminder of the cultural values it upholds such as unity and collective work as well as forming a relative communal experience for people in the African American community. As Balboa Park opens its doors to this unique experience, it offers an opportunity for the San Diego community to come together, celebrate African American heritage, and strengthen communal bonds. From immersive experiences and special guest speakers to the ceremonial candle lighting and traditional feast, this celebration embodies the spirit of Kwanzaa and hosts a sense of cultural appreciation. Don’t miss the chance to be a part of this cherished event, as Balboa Park welcomes everyone to embrace the principles of Kwanzaa and honor the enduring legacy of African culture and tradition.


Click here to learn more about the event!


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