Happy Kwanzaa
People of African heritage all over the world celebrate Kwanzaa from December 26 through January 1.
Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African cultural holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. Developed in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa rituals derive from African harvest celebrations. The five activities include affirming bonds between people, revering the creator, commemorating the past and ancestors, rekindling commitment to African cultural ideals, and celebrating family, community, and culture.
In Celebration Charles Searles evokes the joy of the Kwanzaa season. His interest in color, pattern, mask forms, and dance movement derives from his studies in Ghana, Nigeria, and Morocco. In his rhythmic lines and colors, you might deduce (correctly!) that Searles has played percussion instruments for many years.
Pictured: Charles Searles, born 1937, Celebration, 1975, acrylic, 27 1/2 x 81 5/8 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from General Services Administration.
People of African heritage all over the world celebrate Kwanzaa from December 26 through January 1.
Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African cultural holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. Developed in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa rituals derive from African harvest celebrations. The five activities include affirming bonds between people, revering the creator, commemorating the past and ancestors, rekindling commitment to African cultural ideals, and celebrating family, community, and culture.