Heru drummers led by President Ken Campbell, right
Heru drummers led by President Ken Campbell, right.                                       Photo copyright Black Ottawa Scene

Saturday 30 December

Over a hundred people were at the Bronson Centre to celebrate Kwanzaa, the post Christmas family-oriented African-themed celebration of the festive season. Hosted as usual by the Ottawa’s iconic youth organisation, Jaku Konbit and led by the indefatigable Ken Campbell, the event was an eclectic mix of prayer, music, poetry, dance and delicious food. Highlight of the entertaining evening was the lighting of candles by seven children selected from Jaku Konbit’s community programs. Each of the seven candles represented Nguzo Saba, the seven steadfast Kwanzaa principles:

  1. Umoja (unity)
  2. Kujichagulia (self-determination)
  3. Ujima (collective work and responsibility)
  4. Ujamaa (cooperative economics)
  5. Nia (purpose)
  6. Kuumba (creativity)
  7. Imani (faith)

Other interesting features of this delightful evening were: pouring of the libation by elder Patrick Blanc; Michel Jean Baptiste singing “Young Gifted and Black”;  Sama Burundi (Burundi cultural dance; poetry reading by Shery Alexander Heinis; Haitian dance by Esans Kreyol, and of course the opening drum session by the famed Heru Drummers.

All photos copyright Black Ottawa Scene