The first pre-Kwanzaa celebration to commemorate the African heritage of U of M African-American students, faculty and staff will be Friday at 7 p.m. in the UC Faulkner Lounge.
African and African-American Studies Student Organization (SANKOFA) president Felecia Harris said the program is being offered early to allow students to celebrate the holiday, which officially begins Dec. 26.
"The theme of the program is 'Poetic Journey to Unite the Past with the Future,'" Harris said. "It is for students and faculty to have a chance to observe the holiday since they will be out of school at the time."
The event is being sponsored by SANKOFA and The African and African-American Studies Program.
According to Harris, the holiday began in 1966. It was created by Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach and is traditionally held Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Kwanzaa means "the first fruits" in Swahili.
Sophomore communication major Durell Peterson said he would attend the function and is very excited about the holiday.
"This will be my first year to celebrate Kwanzaa," Peterson said. "The most important principle to me is Umoja, unity."
African-American studies professor Charles Williams, advisor for SANKOFA and The African and African-American Studies Program, said the program is one of two programs being offered to commemorate the holiday.
"SANKOFA and the African-American studies program are spearheading this event and will also sponsor a larger Kwanzaa celebration for the public on Jan. 1, 2001," Williams said.
Kwanzaa is celebrated for a week following Christmas and centers around the Nguzo Saba, which means seven principles. The principles are Umoja, unity; Kujichagulia, self-determination; Ujima, collective work and responsibility; Ujamaa, cooperative economics; Nia, purpose; Kuumba, creativity and Imani, faith.
"The program will express the principles by way of poetry," Harris said. "Hanley Elementary, a local school in Memphis, will also be at the event. Refreshments will be served."
Harris said the program is in its first year and plans to host a different guest speaker each year.
"The guest speaker is English professor and author Reginald Martin," Harris said. "The faculty, staff, students and the community are invited to celebrate the pre-Kwanzaa event."
Senior accounting major Monica Terrell said her family celebrates Kwanzaa each year.
"I try to celebrate the holiday with my family," Terrell said. "I think the most important principle is Imani, faith."
Faculty Senate office secretary Carolyn Featherstone said she also thinks Imani is the most important principle.
"Faith in yourself, not just in the religious side of life is the most important," Featherstone said. "African-Americans (are divided) into two separate groups -- There is a good group of African-Americans who are doing something important and meaningful. Faith fuels this and we should all try to join this group."