Kwanzaa is a non-religious
holiday which celebrates family, community, culture and ancestry. It is not intended to replace any other traditional holiday,
rather, it is a time to set aside (1) to gather the "village" or community to re-affirm the bonds between them (2)
to give thanks for the bounty and blessings of creation (3) to commemorate the past and our ancestors (4) to recommit
to our highest cultural ideals in our on-going effort to bring forth the best of our culture in thought and practice and (5)
to celebrate family and community. The first Annual Kindezi Rites Of Passage Community
Kwanzaa was quite an event. Participants from near and of different backgrounds came together at the OIC
Auditorium to celebrate this cultural holiday filled with singing, dancing, drumming, poetry, speeches and
pagentry. Area youth dressed in brightly colored dishikis lit candles to reflect the Nguzo Saba (seven principles); the Kindezi
Ensemble, consisting of community members from Rocky Mount, Princeville and Roanoke Rapids, filled the auditorium with chants,
negro spirituals and traditional African songs. Community leaders offered words of encouragement and motivation; displays
of African clothing, cloth, artifacts and instruments lined the hallway. Kindezi Rites Of Passage honored 12 Elders who were chosen by their communities to receive recognition
for their tireless efforts in community service. The Elders were honored with certificates, gifts, and a special
poetic tribute and dance by Shane RadCliff and Anthony Demetri, both of Tri-Balcony Forum Productions of Roanoke Rapids,
NC. The evening ended with chants of "Harambee! Harambee! Harambee!" from the audience as we closed with the customary
unity circle. The final activity was a much anticipated one, the karamu or feast. There were lots and lots of good southern
dishes available....everything from candied yams to gullah rice. It was a successful first event and, by all accounts,
a good time was had by all. See ya next year!
Habarigani?
Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa '08 was bigger and better. Of course there was the customary expounding of the Nguzo Saba, candle lighting
and community discussion. There were, however, a few EXTRA added attractions. On Friday, December 26th, the town of Princeville,
NC hosted the first night of Kwanzaa, "Umoja" (Unity) at the Princeville Heritage Center. The theme was "Unity
In The Family & Community". Reverend Ramond Privott of Tarboro, NC offered the Nguzo Saba. Sunday,
December 28th was the third day of Kwanzaa "Ujima" (Collective Work and Responsibility). In keeping with
the theme for the day "Harvest of the First Fruits: Working Collectively For Change", Yara T, an accomplished poet
and local favorite rallied the audience with an original piece entitled, "You've Got To Say More Than Amen."
This was a call to action to parents, teachers, community leaders, and churches. The Kindezi Dancers led by Anthony Demetri,
also made their debut by performing, "Joneeba", a high energy African dance which brought the audience to
its feet. Baba Sitawi Jahi and Mama Cynthia Jahi of Movements Unlimited Performing Arts Company, Inc, a performing
arts/youth mentoring organization, helped us acknowledge our ancestors and their contributions by leading
the audience in a libations ceremony. Bro. Saladin Muhammad gave a community focus address and Elder Sharon Scott expounded
on the Nguzo Saba. The highlight of this year's Kwanzaa was a performance by The Otesha Creative
Arts Ensemble of Winston-Salem, N.C. With their electrifying dance moves, drumming and spirited poetic offerings, Otesha
set the auditorium on FIRE! The Elders nodded their heads and tapped their feet to the rhythm of the drums
while the youth participated by joining Otesha on stage in a " challenge" dance off. Of course the event
culminated in the customary unity circle and chanting of "HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE! HARAMBEE! *Many thanks to the co-sponsors of this event: OIC, Inc, Off
The Hook Records, Black Workers For Justice, Power 95 F.M., Phillips Printing Company, Movement Unlimited, Inc, Doris Marshburn
(East Coast Talking), Town of Princeville, Tri-Balcony Forum Productions and many other individuals who donated food,
money, time and positive energy.* ASANTE! ASANTE! ASANTE! (THANK YOU!)
KWANZAA 2009 
Habarigani? KWANZAA!! Kwanzaa 2009 was
awesome! On September 12th, 2009, youth and their parents from Rocky Mount and Tarboro gathered at the OIC Auditorium
to begin working on this year's Kwanzaa celebration. We started off with introductions, a brief overview of what has been
accomplished in the past two years, directives for the day, and finally some drumming, movement and motivation!
Youth met every 1st and 3rd Saturday from 2:00 to 3:30 (and some days in-between) to work on dance, poetry, drama, and
other ceremonial elements of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa began Saturday, December 26th with the celebration of Umoja, the
first principle of the Nguzo Saba. This began seven days of celebration through January 1st at various location throughout
the city starting with the Kindezi Rites of Passage 3rd Annual Community celebration. Location: OIC Auditorium, 402 E. Virginia
Street, Rocky Mount, NC (corner of E. Virginia Street and Pennsylvania Avenue). This year was unlike the previous two years in that the YOUTH officiated practically every
part of the Kwanzaa celebration. Mentors worked with youth in both a group setting and
individually to make sure that the youth were comfortable with their assignments for the evening. In preparation, youth will
received a study guide for the week. In addition to our youth, our special guests were Baba Jamal Koram The StoryMan,
Alexandria VA , Patricia Hall and her Kummba Dance Company, Danville VA. and the esteemed elders of our community.
Volunteer
Kuumba and Ujima Opportunities! Dancers. Poets. Artists. Musicians. Drummers. Attendants. Videographers.
Organizers. Set Designers. Set up/Clean up Crew Kwanzaa
Wish List For 2010
Oversized Planter For Libations (Granted) Instruments (djembes,shakers,tambourines,etc) (Granted) Food Donations for the Karamu (no pork or pork cooked foods please)
Individually wrapped sugar-free treats (for youth) Artist Sponsorships Red, Black, Green oversized Candles
UPDATE: In March of 2010, Kindezi Rites of Passage Youth Empowerment, Inc was chosen by former
talk show host Jenny Jones and the Jenny Jones Foundation to receive a $5,000.00 grant towards the purchase of drums,
shakers, mbiras and other instruments. Wish granted! Thank you Jenny Jones Foundation.
To volunteer or donate items contact:252-266-8596 or email: ndezi@kindezirites.com
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