The New Year opened up to the final day of Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and tradition for Africans around the world, according to OfficialKwanzaaWebsite.org.
The third year of the seven-day event held at True Worship Outreach Center came to a close Tuesday. When Johnny Noel moved to Kinston, he founded the place of worship.
“I came from New Jersey four years ago,” he said, “and when I saw this building, I saw a vision for the community to restore South Queen Street.”
Marquetta Brown of Kinston said she’s attended the Kwanzaa events every year at the Outreach Center.
“It’s a tradition that shouldn’t die,” she said, “and, again, we should remember the seven principles of Kwanzaa so we can practice them the whole year.”
Those seven principles are unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani).
Tuesday was a day to reflect on faith. Candles were lit for each of the seven principles, as they had been the six days prior.
Brenda Stewart said before moving to Kinston she lived in San Francisco, where Kwanzaa was embraced by the community. She performed an African dance Tuesday — a “salute to the drums” that she has been doing the last five years.
“Faith has been that strong, strong quality, along with our religious beliefs, that has kept us keeping on,” she said.
Drummer Edward Cobb of Kinston said the event is about love, appreciation and getting together with family and friends.
Pastor Anthony McGleen said knowledge is instrumental in understanding the differences in the cultures around the world.
“We do this in celebration for cultural, as well as spiritual, reasons for the community,” he said.
Noel said people often forget that they need one another. Kwanzaa provides a reminder.
Reginald Barrett of Winterville said there needs to be a progression towards the future, while preserving the rich heritage of the past.
“I think it’s a sense of cultural identity,” he said, “a sense of awareness to maintain a history to preserve who we are as a people.”
Gina Sabir of Kinston said Kwanzaa is a reflection of African history, which “embellishes our culture,” and on the direction people are headed.
“We stand on the great shoulders,” she said. “We give tribute to them.”
Nashid Sabir said the holiday is also about believing in oneself, working together and supporting one another in order to grow.
The last day of Kwanzaa is a day to reflect on oneself and commit to being the best one can be. Everything used in the celebration must be the best, the freshest and the most beautiful.
“It’s a celebration of our unity,” Nashid Sabir said, “like first fruits.”
Margaret Fisher can be reached at 252-559-1082 or Margaret.Fisher@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter at MargaretFishr.