Kwanzaa Songs For Everyone
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Kwanzaa Songs for Everyone is a unique collection of music and poetry that celebrates the spirit of Kwanzaa. Set to familiar holiday tunes, these songs have all new lyrics and are expressed with a distinctive cultural flavor. The word “Kwanzaa” comes from the Swahili language and means “the first fruits of harvest”. It is celebrated during the seven-day period from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa is a unique cultural event that pays homage to the past, present, and future of African Americans. It has no religious connotations nor does it attempt to replace or substitute for Christmas, or any religious beliefs or observations. The reason why Kwanzaa came to be is simple: Until the creation of Kwanzaa by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga in 1966, African Americans did not have a specific occasion to universally celebrate our culture. Kwanzaa incorporates African heritage into the festivities of the winter solstice and holiday season. After over forty years, practice, Kwanzaa is now celebrated by millions of people thorough out America, the African Diaspora, and all over the world. The seven principles of Kwanzaa promote family values, cultural enlightenment, and the growth of a cooperative community spirit, collective economic opportunities, community strength, family cohesiveness and progressive individual expression. The ultimate goal of Kwanzaa is that the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, become a living part of the individual and community until they are practiced every day of the year.
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About the Book
Kwanzaa Songs for Everyone is a unique collection of music and poetry that celebrates the spirit of Kwanzaa. Set to familiar holiday tunes, these songs have all new lyrics and are expressed with a distinctive cultural flavor. The word “Kwanzaa” comes from the Swahili language and means “the first fruits of harvest”. It is celebrated during the seven-day period from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa is a unique cultural event that pays homage to the past, present, and future of African Americans. It has no religious connotations nor does it attempt to replace or substitute for Christmas, or any religious beliefs or observations. The reason why Kwanzaa came to be is simple: Until the creation of Kwanzaa by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga in 1966, African Americans did not have a specific occasion to universally celebrate our culture. Kwanzaa incorporates African heritage into the festivities of the winter solstice and holiday season. After over forty years, practice, Kwanzaa is now celebrated by millions of people thorough out America, the African Diaspora, and all over the world. The seven principles of Kwanzaa promote family values, cultural enlightenment, and the growth of a cooperative community spirit, collective economic opportunities, community strength, family cohesiveness and progressive individual expression. The ultimate goal of Kwanzaa is that the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, become a living part of the individual and community until they are practiced every day of the year.
About the Author
Karen Griner Smith is a poet, writer of children’s stories, and a Griot (story teller in the African tradition). She has been published in national poetry collections and periodicals. Born and reared in Baltimore MD, Karen lived in Juneau, Alaska and has traveled to 48 of the 50 United States and Ghana, in West Africa. A retired social worker, she currently teaches GED classes at the Baltimore City Community College. She is the mother of three adult sons and the doting grandmother of two. The Creator gave these songs to her during a two-week period while she mourned the death of her father, Everette Griner, who went to be with the ancestors during Kwanzaa of 2003. Kwanzaa Songs for Everyone is also available as a CD, which contains seven songs from the book sung by Baltimore jazz icon, Bibi Fatimah and musical arrangements by Jamaican born musician Joe Cooper. You may contact Karen at: karengrinersmith@gmail.com