Kwanzaa Gift Exchange: Consider the Seven Kwanzaa Principles

For a Kwanzaa gift exchange, first keep in mind that a Kwanzaa gift in no way is intended as a replacement or alternative to a Christmas gift. Kwanzaa is a celebration, not a holiday. One of the seven Kwanzaa principles is imani, Swahili for "faith," but Kwanzaa is not connected with any particular religion. So, the first order of the day in a Kwanzaa gift exchange is to learn the beliefs and practices of your relative or friend, and to share your own beliefs and practices vice-versa.

Some early proponents of Kwanzaa during the 1960s made a point to question, or even to denounce, what they viewed as the over-commercialization of Christmas. In that spirit, an expensive gift would not be in accord with the celebration. Emphasis is best on an affordable and educational Kwanzaa gift exchange.

The seven Kwanzaa principles are umoja (unity), followed by kukichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith).

Kwanzaa was formulated within the African American community, but all people are welcome to take part. Following are just a few Kwanzaa gift exchange ideas.

-- The seven Kwanzaa principles indeed are vitally serious, but folks still have to eat. Among African-themed cookbooks, consider "Zainabu's African Cookbook with Food and Stories" to learn about such wonderful dinners as mango chicken and rice balls, tilapia in kobo kobo groundnut sauce, and banana ginger akara. Value these dishes in contrast to the pathetic mac and cheese displayed in that mainstream movie, "Soul Food." And if Uncle Joe or Aunt Josephine is expounding too much at the family dinner table, there's no need to stay strictly with those old African stories. Here's one that's universal in nature: "Don't talk with your mouth full, and keep it full." Cookbook price, $15.

-- African culture is totally rich with kuumba, especially in crafts. A fantastic Kwanzaa gift would be a woven Mali copper keepsake box, crafted of recycled telephone wire. When we think of it in terms of the green eco-friendly movement, historically, the peoples of Africa have contributed so much to the environment and have caused by far the least damage. A fantastic bargain at $33

-- The Zawadi Animal Lover Gift Basket contains three flavors of African tea, and wooden statues of a leopard, gazelle and turtle that are hand-carved in Kenya. The $48 price may seem steep, considering the Kwanzaa gift exchange emphasis on frugal spending, but consider that a full 50 percent goes to the Kenya AIDS Intervention/Prevention Project Group. Compare this to many American commercial promotions, in which not even 1 percent is contributed to the stated worthy cause.

-- "Wonders of the African World" is a PBS documentary that is hosted and narrated by none other than Henry Louis Gates Jr. Witness why the Harvard professor should be recognized for his historical scholarship, not for the hypely publicized clash last summer with a local police officer. Pay $39.94.

-- DVD sets are popular nowadays, but nothing beats a good book. Instead of one of the famous Black authors present and past, consider Wallace Thurman's "The Blacker the Berry," from the Harlem Renaissance era, which explores skin color prejudice within the African-American community. Sort of like Spike Lee's "School Daze" joint, but far more sophisticated. Black readers may feel cause for self-examination, while White readers may more fully realize that the "Black community" is not some sort of monolith in which everyone thinks the same, no more so than the "White community." After all, Kwanzaa and the Kwanzaa principles are focused on education. Pay $11.92.

SOURCES

http://www.takaradi.com/kwanzaa

http://www.gifts.com/search/product/Zainabus-African-Cookbook-With-Food-and-Stories?ideaID=5691&prodID=97475

http://www.findgift.com/gift-ideas/pid-78483/

http://www.amazon.com/Kwanza-Animal-Zawadi-African-Tea/dp/B0006NUTWK%3FSubscriptionId%3DAKIAJFDWI7DARHXWAJGA%26tag%3Dgiftscom07-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3DB0006NUTWK

http://www.gifts.com/search/product/Wonders-of-the-African-World-DVD-?ideaID=5696&prodID=51479