Kwanzaa festivities to start early this year

As the semester dies down, the candles will light up at the pre-Kwanzaa event at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

For anyone who is looking to get out of the brisk December weather, the center will open its doors to the public to attend its pre-Kwanzaa event, “A Celebration of the Arts of the African Diaspora” today.

“We are trying to give people an idea how to celebrate Kwanzaa,” said Sachiko Higgins-Kante, Neal-Marshall’s administrative assistant. “It is a growing holiday, and it’s celebrated by not only Africans.”

The program begins at 6 p.m. in the Grand Hall, and admission is free. But organizers ask that people bring non-perishable food items for a donation to Hoosier Hills Food Bank.

Kwanzaa is celebrated from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, and each of the seven days focuses on a different principle. The holiday, first celebrated in 1966, is deeply rooted in the African culture of celebrating the harvest.

The program will display the Kinara, or candle holder, with seven candles that represent the seven principles of the holiday and a wooden unity cup. The center’s goal is to show these values should not only be recognized during the holiday season, but year-round..

“It’s a celebration and recognition of history,” said Audrey McCluskey, the Neal-Marshall director. “It’s also a call to continue the struggle, because we are not there yet.”

There will be cultural music performances by the McCutchen/Mahluli Jazz Ensemble, Kwesi Brown and his African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Brazilian jazz artist Valeria De Castro and a host of other performers. The various genres of music show the African influence.

After the performances, the celebration will proceed to the center’s Bridgewater Lounge where the theme will be “A Taste of the African Diaspora.” A variety of foods from different areas will be showcased.

“It is recognition of our ancestors and appreciation of our culture,” Higgins-Kante said.