LOS ANGELES (CNS) - The 47th edition of what organizers say is the world's oldest Kwanzaa parade was held Tuesday in South Los Angeles to mark the start of the seven-day African-American festival.
The Kwanzaa Gwaride kicked off at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Adams and Crenshaw boulevards, then headed south on Crenshaw Boulevard for two miles to Leimert Park, where a festival was held.
"Happy Kwanzaa, Los Angeles!" Mayor Karen Bass posted Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter. "We celebrate the collective power of culture and community this holiday season, and let the light lead us ahead into a brighter new year."
Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued a statement, saying, "As we begin the celebration of Kwanzaa, we honor the rich traditions and principles that unite us in the spirit of Umoja. Our strength as a state lies in our diversity -- embracing different cultures, perspectives, and traditions. Wishing everyone observing Kwanzaa a joyful and meaningful celebration!"
In his annual founder's message, titled "Kwanzaa, Freedom, Justice and Peace: Principles and Practices for a New World," Maulana Karenga wrote, "Among all the goods that are granted, given and gained through ceaseless striving and righteous and relentless struggle, we wish, especially for our people and all other oppressed and struggling peoples of the world, the shared and indivisible goods of freedom, justice and peace, deservedly achieved and enjoyed and passed on to future generations."
Karenga, chair of Africana Studies at Cal State Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966 in what he called "an audacious act of self-determination."
"Kwanzaa was conceived and born in the womb, work and transformative struggles of the Black Freedom Movement. And thus, its essential message and meaning was shaped and shared not only in sankofa initiatives of cultural retrieval, of the best of our views, values and practices as African peoples," Karenga wrote in the founder's message.
"It was also shaped by that defining decade of fierce strivings and struggles for freedom, justice and associated goods waged by Africans and other peoples of color all over the world in the 1960s. Kwanzaa thus came into being, grounded itself and grew as an act of freedom, an instrument of freedom, a celebration of freedom and a practice of freedom."
Kwanzaa's focus is the "Nguzo Saba," the Seven Principles, all of which are Swahili words. Each night is dedicated to one of the principles, beginning with Umoja -- unity, expressing the goal of striving for and maintaining unity in the family and community.
The principle for the second night is Kujichagulia, self- determination, "to define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves."
The principle for the third night is Ujima.
The other principles are Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
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 flag with three bars -- red for the struggle for freedom, black for unity and green for the future -- is sometimes displayed during the holiday.
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.
Pasadena's 35th annual Kwanzaa celebration will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Jefferson Branch Library and include music, storytelling and youth presentations.
A Kwanzaa celebration will also be held at the African American Cultural Center of Long Beach from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday. Admission is $10.
A free Kwanzaa celebration will be held at Ovation Hollywood from 1-4 p.m. Saturday. The celebration in the Center Courtyard of the shopping complex formerly known as Hollywood & Highland will include a performance by a dance and drum troupe and cookie decorating.