The West Sacramento community gathered to celebrate Kwanzaa, a week-long holiday honoring African culture and heritage.Created nearly 60 years ago in California, Kwanzaa is now celebrated by people of African descent worldwide, and the event in West Sacramento is the region’s longest-running Kwanzaa celebration.Through music and dance, dozens gathered to celebrate their culture. “Kwanzaa is a celebration of community,” said Kyla Irving, an attendee of the West Sacramento event. “Many people look at it as a Black holiday. But the principles that are part of Kwanzaa are principles for any community,” said the Rev. Rick Harrell, a senior minister for the Center for Spiritual Awareness. “It is not a religious holiday at all. It is a cultural holiday which anyone can enjoy.”Sunday night’s Kwanzaa celebration took place at the Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento, drawing crowds from diverse backgrounds. The holiday celebrates family and social values, serving as a way for many to connect with African culture and heritage, including a performance focused on six African queens. “European scholars twisted maps and ignored Ethiopian texts. Erased my Blackness. Remember me. I am the Queen of Sheba,” said one performer. Each day of Kwanzaa, people light one of seven candles, representing seven principles. “One black, three red, three green, black for the people, red for the struggle, and green for the future,” said the Rev. Dr. Chaplain Tynya Beverly, the Kwanzaa event chairperson.Cedric and Kyla Irving celebrated the holiday with their son, who participated in teaching the seven principles of Kwanzaa. “It teaches him our roots. It’s an opportunity to celebrate African American contributions to American society and connection to our general principles of gratitude during the holiday season,” Cedric Irving said. Those who celebrate usually partake in Karamu, a feast on New Year’s Eve that concludes the week-long celebration.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
The West Sacramento community gathered to celebrate Kwanzaa, a week-long holiday honoring African culture and heritage.
Created nearly 60 years ago in California, Kwanzaa is now celebrated by people of African descent worldwide, and the event in West Sacramento is the region’s longest-running Kwanzaa celebration.
Through music and dance, dozens gathered to celebrate their culture.
“Kwanzaa is a celebration of community,” said Kyla Irving, an attendee of the West Sacramento event.
“Many people look at it as a Black holiday. But the principles that are part of Kwanzaa are principles for any community,” said the Rev. Rick Harrell, a senior minister for the Center for Spiritual Awareness. “It is not a religious holiday at all. It is a cultural holiday which anyone can enjoy.”
Sunday night’s Kwanzaa celebration took place at the Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento, drawing crowds from diverse backgrounds.
The holiday celebrates family and social values, serving as a way for many to connect with African culture and heritage, including a performance focused on six African queens.
“European scholars twisted maps and ignored Ethiopian texts. Erased my Blackness. Remember me. I am the Queen of Sheba,” said one performer.
Each day of Kwanzaa, people light one of seven candles, representing seven principles.
“One black, three red, three green, black for the people, red for the struggle, and green for the future,” said the Rev. Dr. Chaplain Tynya Beverly, the Kwanzaa event chairperson.
Cedric and Kyla Irving celebrated the holiday with their son, who participated in teaching the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
“It teaches him our roots. It’s an opportunity to celebrate African American contributions to American society and connection to our general principles of gratitude during the holiday season,” Cedric Irving said.
Those who celebrate usually partake in Karamu, a feast on New Year’s Eve that concludes the week-long celebration.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel