FAYETH GARDENS' 2nd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration at Hayward City Hall!

Come celebrate Kwanzaa at the Hayward City Hall Rotunda on Sunday Dec.29 from 12 - 5 pm. Doors open at 11:30, so be sure to bring your family and friends to join in the fun for this free event!
Kwanzaa, a Kiswahili word that means first fruits, is a traditional harvest celebration filled with family, community and cultural traditions. It is a non-religious celebration of African-American culture which begins on Dec. 26 and ends seven days later on Jan. 1.
Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to provide a traditional focus on the African and African-American family, community and culture.
Dr. Maulana Karenga is a professor of Africana studies and is one of the world’s most highly respected senior scholars in Black and Africana studies. He is also chair of the President’s Task Force on Multicultural Education and Campus Diversity at California State University in Long Beach. He is best known as the creator of Kwanzaa and lectures frequently on its value and importance. Kwanzaa is celebrated throughout the world.
Though gifts are exchanged and a feast is enjoyed, Kwanzaa is not to be mistaken as a substitute for Christmas. Instead, it is an affirmation of seven guiding principles, based on the “Nguzo Saba” (“Seven Principles”). These principles pay tribute to the ancestors and the African culture, while reaffirming community values.
The seven principles are:
Umoja (oo-MO-jah): Unity
Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah): Self-determination
Ujima (oo-GEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility
Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah): Cooperative economics
Nia (NEE-yah): Purpose
Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith

As with any holiday tradition, there are items used in the celebration. The most familiar symbol of Kwanzaa is the “Kinara,” which is similar to, but not to be confused with, the Menorah used in the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah. The Kinara holds seven candles while the Menorah holds nine. The seven candles of Kwanzaa are called “Mishumaa Saba,” featuring three green on the right, three red on the left and one black in the center. Each candle represents one of the seven principles.
The Kwanzaa celebration of the African heritage and fortification of the community and family provides inspiration and guidance to face the challenges of the New Year.

During the 2nd Annual Kwanzaa Celebration in Hayward, you can enjoy the Traditional Cultural Arts of West African Dancing & Drumming, led by Diamano Coura; the centuries-old Griot Art of storytelling, led by Fayeth Gardens and a unique artform using bleach, led by fine artist Thearthur Wright; as our cohort of Master Artists lead you in hands-on demonstrations of each discipline. Bring your sense of adventure, comfortable clothes and shoes and an open mind to take an invigorating trip to Africa with this free, cultural passport!
Highlights also include a delectable, healthy Soul Food lunch prepared by the Food Network Celebrity Chef, Tamearra Dyson; a keynote address by Professor Manu Ampim, a historian and primary researcher specializing in Africana Studies, who has conducted first-hand research on classical African studies in two dozen countries around the world for the past 35 years and the author of several books; including his latest work, A History of African Civilizations (2023). You will also witness the stirring oratory of Marcus Garvey, the Father of Pan-Africanism, delivering his last speech to the United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) before his incarceration for mail fraud via a political campaign to cease his activities. This inspired performance will be from Bay Area thespian, Postoria Aguirre.

In between and throughout the activities, DJ KGee will keep everyone entertained with his ecletic muscial selections, which are always on point with the mood of the celebration!

This year begins a new Kwanzaa tradition - the first issuance of the Sankofa Lifetime Achievement Award, which will honor BOS District 2 Supervisor Elisa Marquez and Hayward Councilmember Angela Andrews; along with many Tri-Valley and Bay Area businesses to celebrate the 4th Nguzo Saba principle of Kwanzaa that occurs on Dec. 29 - Ujamaa - which is a Kiswahili word that means cooperative economics; to support local businesses. So bring your wallets to do your part for the economy by shopping in our Vendor Faire upstairs in the Food Court and hold onto to your entry ticket for the Raffle at the end!

And lastly, don't forget to get your reservations for Kids Korner - where we will have Kwanzaa fun for them as well, to keep the whole family engaged!

Host or Publisher Fayeth Gardens