By Adriane Mc Cray
On the evening of December 3, 2009, students, faculty and alumni of the University of Pennsylvania gathered to celebrate a rich Black cultural tradition that holds great historical importance to the black community on campus: Kwanzaa. The annual Kwanzaa Karamu dinner is a routine part of UMOJA week, a week-long series of events hosted by UMOJA along with various Black student groups under its umbrella.
The Penn community filed into Houston Hall’s Bodek Lounge, occasionally chiming in on Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas”, the Jackson 5’s rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town”, and other soulful Christmas tunes. Everyone mingled and took their seats at the tables, decorated in black, white, and green African motif. The dinner opened up with a greeting by Makuu’s office coordinator, Constance Gordon, in the form of Kwanzaa’s Kukaribisha, or welcoming.
Kamau McRae, husband of Makuu director, Dr. Karlene Burrell-McRae, lead the traditional, Tamshi la Tambiko, or Libation Statement. Water, symbolizing the essence of life, was poured into a plant in remembrance of our African-American predecessors. McRae invited guests to call out names of key historical figures in African-American history as well as their personal loved ones.
Student representatives of various UMOJA groups spoke briefly about how each of their groups represented the principles of Kwanzaa, each lighting a candle of the Kinara, or candleholder. Ryan Jobson began with the principle of Umoja, signifying unity, sharing how the Umoja board dutiful serves the student body and connects our student groups. After lighting the black center candle, the remaining principles, Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith), were given tributes by members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, the Black Student League, The Vision, African-American Arts Alliance, and the New Spirit of Penn gospel choir respectively.
Following a complete lighting of the Kinara, Penn’s campus chaplain led the guests in a prayer. Daina Richie and Dr. Karlene Burrell-McRae also shared words of thanks, requesting that everyone introduce themselves to an unfamiliar face before the night was over.
Guests enjoyed a filling meal with the soul food catering that was provided at the dinner. The menu was a gourmet combination of fish, fried chicken, boiled vegetables, and student favorites: baked macaroni and cheese and sweet cornbread.
As the night progressed, students and faculty had an opportunity to unwind from the week’s stresses, dancing to their hip-hop and R&B favorites. Classic songs like the electric slide broke generational barriers as faculty joined students in celebration.
