A Season of Many Holidays Joyous Kwanza!
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1 December 20th, 2013 Volume 71 Issue 4 A Season of Many Holidays Joyous Kwanza! By Madison Mosher tional African dishes as well as During this holiday season those featuring ingredients Afri- there are two main holidays that cans brought to the United States, will be celebrated. Yet, one is al- such as sesame seeds (benne), pea- ways is always forgotten, or not nuts (groundnuts), sweet potatoes, understood, just as Rudolf once collard greens, and spicy sauces. was. This least celebrated holiday Especially at karamu, is known as Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is celebrated with red, Dr. Maulana Karenga, black, and green. These three col- professor and chairman of Black ors were important symbols in Studies at California State Univer- way, but celebrations often include ancient Africa that gained new sity, Long Beach, created Kwan- songs and dances, African drums, recognition through the efforts of zaa in 1966. After the Watts riots storytelling, poetry reading, and a Marcus Garvey's Black Nationalist in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga large traditional meal. On each of movement. Green is for the fertile searched for ways to bring African the seven nights, the family gath- land of Africa; black is for the -Americans together as a commu- ers and a child lights one of the color of the people; and red is the nity. He founded US, a cultural candles on the Kinara for the blood that is shed in the organization, and started to re- (candleholder), then one of the struggle for freedom. search African "first seven principles is discussed. The The candle-lighting cere- fruit" (harvest) celebrations. principles, called the Nguzo Saba mony each evening provides the Karenga combined aspects of sev- (seven principles in Swahili) are opportunity to gather and discuss eral different harvest celebrations, values of African culture which the meaning of Kwanzaa. The first such as those of the Ashanti and contribute to building and rein- night, the black candle in the cen- those of the Zulu, to form the basis forcing community among African ter is lit (and the principle umoja/ of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is not asso- -Americans. Kwanzaa also has unity is discussed). One candle is ciated to any religion, so many seven basic symbols which repre- lit each evening and the appropri- people often celebrate Christmas sent values and concepts reflective ate principle is discussed. along side it. It is estimated that of African culture. An African Celebrities who have been over 18 million Americans cele- feast, called a Karamu, is held on known to celebrate Kwanzaa brate Kwanzaa. December 31. This year Kwanzaa every year include Bob Marley, The name Kwanzaa is will be celebrated from December Oprah, Maya Angelou, Chuck D, derived from the phrase "matunda 26 to January 1. Angelina Jolie, and Synthia Saint ya kwanza" which means "first Karamu may be held at a James (who designed the first fruits" in Swahili. Each family home, community center, or Kwanzaa postage stamp.) celebrates Kwanzaa in its own church. Celebrants enjoy tradi- 2 Happy Hanukkah! By Jordan Wright Mattathias and his five sons, a of a nine-branched large rebellion broke out against menorah. On each Hanukkah is a holiday Antiochus and the Seleucid of the holiday’s known to the Jews as a rededica- monarchy. When Mattathias eight nights, another tion day. Not very many people died in 166 B.C., his son Judah, candle is added to know a lot about the holiday it- took control. Within two years the menorah after self. Hanukkah began around the Jews successfully drove the sundown; the ninth 200 B.C. in Judea, which is also Syrians out of Jerusalem, relying candle, called the known as the Land of Israel, af- largely on guerrilla warfare tac- shamash or the “helper”, is used ter the country came under the tics. Judah called on his follow- to light the others. Jews recite control of Antiochus III, the Se- ers to cleanse the Second Tem- blessings during this ritual and leucid king of Syria. He allowed ple, rebuild its altar and light its display the menorah prominently the Jews who lived in Syria to menorah—the gold candelabrum in a window as a reminder to continue practicing their relig- whose seven branches repre- others of the miracle that in- ion, but his son, Antiochus IV sented knowledge and creation, spired the holiday. Also Jews fry Epiphanes, outlawed the Jewish kept burning for eight nights foods in oil like potato pancakes religion and ordered the Jews to leaving them to find a fresh sup- and jam-filled donuts. They also worship Greek gods. In 168 ply. The event inspired Jewish play with dreidels, and exchange B.C., his soldiers descended sages to proclaim a yearly eight gifts with one another. Hanuk- upon Jerusalem, massacring day celebration that followed the kah has exploded with commer- thousands of people and dese- rededication. cial phenomenon, largely be- crating the city’s holy Second cause the holiday falling near Temple. The Hanukkah celebra- Christmas time, but still remains tion revolves around the kindling Led by the Jewish priest a minor holiday. Merry Christmas! By Caelin Young Christians believe that Jesus died to trees, attending church, sharing meals forgive all people of their sins. Chris- with family and friends and, of Christmas is both a sacred tians celebrate Jesus' birth on Christ- course, waiting for Santa Claus to religious holiday and a worldwide mas day. arrive. December 25 has been a fed- cultural and commercial phenome- eral holiday in the United States The Christmas trees symbol- non. For two millennia, people since 1870. around the world have been observ- izes staying cheerful. The evergreen ing it with traditions and practices trees stay green through the winter Whether you believe in Je- that are both religious and secular in unlike many other trees, symbolizing sus or not, Christmas day is neverthe- nature. this cheerfulness of Christmas. less a great holiday to celebrate. The exchanging of gifts creates a bond Santa Claus, otherwise Christians celebrate Christ- between people that can be described known as Saint Nicholas, is one of mas Day as the anniversary of the as the “Christmas spirit”. birth of Jesus of Nazareth, Son of the most popular symbols of Christ- God, a spiritual leader whose teach- mas. Popular customs include ex- ings form the basis of their religion. changing gifts, decorating Christmas 3 Top 10 Christmas Fads & Survey of Favorite Moments By Shana Esselburn glasses. Sixth on the list is the Christmas is coming just Third on the list is the Roku MacBook Air (13-inch). Apple's latest around the corner and everyone has 3. This device is a streaming video Air devices have improved tremen- their picks on what they hope to see box that supports more services than dously with its better graphics, and under that tree. In the world today, anything. More than 750 channels are longer lasting battery life. this generation lives and breathes supported. With that, it also has a built Seventh on the list is the technology ranging from all age in headphone jack so one can listen Philips Hue Connected Bulb. This groups. Many people across the nation without bothering others. bulb is a Wi-Fi connected lighting is most likely are waiting to open up that Fourth on the list is the Sony color changing and can be controlled piece of technology they have been PS4. The PS4 is claimed to be evenly by smart phones. waiting for on Christmas day. People matched up with the other new hot Eighth on the list is the Bose do not want just any piece of technol- gaming device the Xbox One. But SoundLink Mini. This device is one of ogy, they want what is at the top of the CNET Editors think that the PS4 the most popular Bluetooth speakers list. edges out the Xbox for now. It has because of the excellent build quality According to CNET Editors' amazing graphics, runs on a simplified and impressive sound. top picks, starting off the list is the and logical interface, and has a fantas- Finally to end the top picks, Samsung Galaxy S4. This device has tic controller. It is also cheaper than is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS30. Android 4.2.2. power, an outstanding the Xbox One. This is one of the top picked cameras camera, a quad-core processor, and Fifth on the list is the Fitbit because of the excellence in its photos many software solutions. Force. This wearable fitness device is and videos. It has a 20x zoom lens, Second on the list is the said to be one of the best around. It three inch touch screen, Wi-Fi for Panasonic TC-PST60 series. The TV makes it easier to track your steps, remote control camera, easy sharing, has great over all picture quality from sleep, and calories. The fitness tracker high speed and full HD movie capture, accurate colors to deep black levels. It is even comfortable to wear on your and GPS. also comes with two pairs of 3D wrist. Lane Harper: Dashing through the Mrs. Carnegie: Watch- snow, in a one horse open sleigh, ing my kids decorate the over the hills he went laughing all the tree and open their pre- way... lolz sents. Carissa Duncan: When I woke up Christ- mas morning and saw my brother sitting on the couch. (He came back from the Air- Kaylynn Stone: Going to see Christ- Force). mas lights and making cookies. Miss Leach: Going to Florida. Morgan Kline: Mr. Reynolds: Getting up early be- Family gatherings. fore parents to look for presents.