Oklahoma man recalls first learning about Kwanzaa, wants to educate others

An Oklahoma man recalled his first time learning about Kwanzaa and told News 9 on Friday that he wanted to educate others on the holiday and its cultural traditions.

Michael Washington, Founder of Empower People Inc. & Oklahoma Coalition Against People Abuse, said he first learned about Kwanzaa 35 years ago.

“A guy asked me to come with him one day. He said, ‘Kwanzaa.’ I said ‘What is Kwanzaa? I don’t want to go to Kwanzaa. What is that?’” remembered Washington. “I took the invitation, went, then I started learning about it, and I said to myself, ‘Wow, this is great. Really!’”

Today, he said he uses what he has learned over the years to educate others.

“Kwanzaa, meaning the first fruits, is simply learning about your culture, your history, your knowledge, your God, your religion, great pioneers, great educators, great harvesters, great farmers,” he detailed.

Each day of Kwanzaa, families light a candle on the kinara, or seven-branched candelabra, representing one of the seven principles celebrated during the holiday, Washington explained.

Washington described the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba)—unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith—using traditional symbols such as fruits, libation cups, African clothing, chains (symbolizing past oppression and freedom), and artwork.

“If you follow the seven-day principle, it’s no question– you will become successful,” he stated.

He listed the seven principles in order:

• Umoja (Unity)
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Ujima (Collective work and responsibility)
• Ujamaa (Cooperative economics)
• Nia (Purpose)
• Kuumba (Creativity)
• Imani (Faith)

Washington said Kwanzaa is for anyone to observe.