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By Victor Adu Boahene
Lions Eye Staff Writer
voal 00@psu.edu
Many Americans think Kwanzaa originated from Africa,
but Kwanza celebration is not a festival originating in any of the 55
African countries. Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday about
the festival of the first harvest of the crops and the celebration of the
people, their culture and their history. It begins on December 26 and
lasts for seven days.
Dr. Maulana (Ron) Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa, intro-
duced this festival in 1966 as a response to the commercialism of
Christmas. The name Kwanzaa, sometimes spelled Kwanza, comes
from a phrase which means “first fruits” in Swahili, an East African
language. It is a time of celebration, reverence, community gathering,
commemoration and reflection. A time of endings and new / begin-
nings.
The foundation of Kwanzaa are the Seven Principles, or Ngu-
zo Saba( It’s Kiswahili for Seven Principles). The principles utilize
most Swahili words: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia),
collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics
(ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). Each
of the seven candles signifies the principles. Like the Jewish Hanna-
kah, candles are used to represent concepts of the holiday.
The symbols of Kwanzaa includes crops (mzao) which repre-
sents the historical roots of African Americans in agriculture, the mat
(mkeka) lays the foundation for self-actualization, the candle holder
(kinara) reminds believers of ancesters, corn (muhindi) signifies
children and the hope associated in the younger generation, and gifts
(Zawadi) represent commitments of the parents for the children. The
unity cup (Kkimbe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations to the ances-
tors. Finally, the seven candles (mishumaa saba) remind participants
of the several principles and the colors in the flag of African liberatio
movements -- 3 red, 1 black, and 3 green.
Gifts are exchanged. On December 31 participants celebrate
with a banquet of food often cuisine from various African countries.
Participants greet one another with “Habari gani” which is Kiswahili
for “How are you?
You too can participate in celebrating Kwanza by throwing a
little party made of variety cuisines and drinks on 31st night and call-
ing friends over. Greet them with “Habari gain?” and have a blast into
the New Year.
The Lion’s Eye
December 2007
Best Online Shopping Sources
By Erin Kaskela
4ssociate Editor
eck137@psu.edu
As the holidays quickly approach, the malls are sure to be jam-packed
ith joy filled strangers listening to holiday music and getting in the holiday
spirits. Although this sounds great, not everyone considers these festive times
special. Some view shopping in December as a time to walk a mile in the
blistering cold because that was the only parking spot you could find, stand-
ing in lines out the door for that popular gift you have to get, and finding out
he person in front of you just took the last one. One solution for people who
don’t like the crowds is online shopping.
5. Ebay.com -Unused items for good prices, as long as you are prepared to bid.
4. Walmart.com - Free Shipping; Everything you find in the store, you can find
online.
3. Bestbuy.com - Free Shipping, pre- zonler, sales and products same as in the
Store.
2. Amazon.com - link for “Today’s Deals” showing gifts ranging from 8% to
68% off regular price - one day delivery until December 22nd.
1. Overtstock.com - With site links for: holiday gift finders, clearance bin, and
steals of the week, best price guarantee, 30-70% off over 1000 products, and
$1 shipping state wide.
DECEMbLEr Festivals:
By Victor Adu Boahene
ions Eye Staff Writer
voal 00@psu.edu
deinygriel
Hanukkah is the annual Jewish festival celebrated on eight successive days
beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, the third month of the Jewish calendar. It is also
known as the Festival of Lights, Feast of Dedication, and the Feast of the Maccabees.
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas
Maccabee in 165 BC after the Temple had been profaned by Antiochus IV Epiphanes,
king of Syria and overlord of Palestine.
More than twenty-one centuries ago, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleu-
cids (Syrian-Greeks), who sought to forcefully idolize the people of Israel. Against
all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth,
drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededi-
cated it to the service of God. When they sought to light the Temple’s menorah, they
found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks;
miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could be pre-
pared under conditions of ritual purity. To commemorate and publicize these mira-
cles, the sages instituted the festival of Chanukah At the heart of the festival is the
nightly menorah lighting. Chanukah customs include eating foods fried in oil (like
potato pancakes and doughnuts) and the giving of Chanukah gelt (gifts of money), to
children.
Q: What is the present you really want for the holidays? Pe ople Poll
By Brittany Neimeth
Rebecca Olley
Corporate Communications Patti Wray
Just to enjoy spending time with my Elementary Education
family and friends. As cheesy as that Clothes and shoes and
sounds it’s the best kind of gift. money for Italy!
Alyce DiLauro
Crystal Paulino
Communications Antoinette Brooks-
A down comforter, grippy gloves, Psychology Thomas
a laptop, ink cartridges, an external ~The softest stuffed English
hard drive and an undated wardrobe. animal ever!!! An Ipod Nano