Forty-seven years ago, the first observance of Kwanzaa took place in California. Consciousness of the occasion has yet to transcend the sphere of politically correct rumblings laden with holiday greeting mashups like "Merry Christkwanzaakah," but the weeklong African-American cultural holiday offers cheer, inspiration and spiritual rejuvenation to set you off on a good start to the New Year.
[jump]Dr. Maulana Karenga, who organized the first Kwanzaa in the United States in 1966, stated in his Kwanzaa message to the nation the purpose of the holiday: “In its most essential understanding and expression, Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture with each providing a context and commitment of common ground, cooperative practice and shared good.”
Learn more about the principles that Kwanzaa is founded upon and celebrate at the Polk Museum of Art's Annual Kwanzaa Celebration The always exhilarating Kuumba Dancers and Drummers of Tampa Bay will perform 1-2 p.m. today, and folk tales and art inspired by the holiday will be shared.
Admission is free. The Polk Museum of Art is at 800 E. Palmetto St., Lakeland. polkmuseumofart.org.