A parade on Crenshaw Boulevard today will mark the start of the seven-day African-American festival of Kwanzaa.
The theme of the 35th annual Kwanzaa Gwaride Parade and Festival will be "A New Paradigm," according to R.W. Akile for People of Color, which organizes the parade and festival.
Linda Jay, a community activist and author of the book "I Was There," will be the Iyaba (queen) of the parade and filmmaker Walter Powell will be the Oba (king).
The parade is set to begin at noon at the corner of Crenshaw and Adams boulevards, then head south along Crenshaw to Leimert Park, where it will conclude. A festival will follow in Leimert Park.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, now chair of Cal State Long Beach's Department of Africana Studies, in what he called "an audacious act of self-determination."
Kwanzaa's focus is the "Nguzo Saba," the Seven Principles - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
"The seven principles of Kwanzaa are values that we as Angelenos all hold dear," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said.
During the week, a candelabrum called a Kinara is lit, and ears of corn representing each child in the family are placed on a traditional straw mat.
African foods such as millet, spiced pepper balls and rice are often served. Some people fast during the holiday, and a feast is often held on its final night.
A three-barred flag - red for for freedom, black for unity and green for the future - is often displayed at this time.
Kwanzaa is based on the theory of Kawaida, which espouses that social revolutionary change for black America can be achieved by exposing blacks to their cultural heritage.
"The celebration of the 45th anniversary of Kwanzaa is a significant marker and milestone in itself," Karenga wrote in his annual founder's message.
Source: http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_19619668?source=rss
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