The Wesley United Methodist Church was “packed” for the Kwanzaa celebration in Lorain Dec. 29.
More than 50 people attended the annual event at the church, located at 220 W. 7th St., and hosted by the Harrison Cultural Community Centre, according to the Mistress of Ceremonies Joanne Nyota Eldridge Tucker.
“it was a fun and joyous occasion,” said Eldridge Tucker, adding that many children filled the church dancing as part of the festivities.
Eldridge Tucker has been the leader or mistress of ceremonies in Lorain for 29 years.
The ceremony opened with the Kwanzaa Prayer and then the opening song, the Black National Anthem, was sung by all.
The ceremony had a number of highlights including the lighting of the Kwanzaa Candles in a symbolization of the Seven Principles of the Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).
The remembrance of ancestors is also a strong focal point of the ceremonies.
A portion of the Kwanzaa Prayer which was read in unison stated, “May we always remember our ancestors with reverence and love, and may they share with us their great wisdom and strength as we seek to preserve and continue the heritage they have left us.”
The event also included several creative expressions such as the African Royalty Dancers Creative Expressions and Jeff Pye, who teaches art at the Harrison Cultural Community Centre.
Vonisha Isom-Massey of the Harrison Cultural Community Centre also spoke during the ceremony.
Janeya Hisle spoke of a historical project in progress called “On-Erie Beach Project,” a community project being completed in conjunction with the Lorain Historical Society.
The historical project includes research regarding two Black women from Oberlin who had a prominent lakefront property on the shores of Lake Erie, said Eldridge Tucker.
The cherished event brings the community together as they share knowledge, such as books and uplifting messages to each other, Eldridge Tucker said.
“I was pleasantly surprised and pleased,” said Eldridge Tucker of the event and the large turnout.
The Kwanzaa ceremony didn’t need to be advertised. In fact, Tucker said she sent a text message to two or three people and word-of-mouth did the rest to fill the church.
Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Ron Karenga in 1966 to reaffirm and restore the African heritage and culture in addition to introducing and reinforcing the Nguzo Saba or Seven Principles.
Karenga based on the ceremonial event on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Western and Southeast Africa.
Kwanzaa has continued to be an annual celebration of the African-American culture and is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, typically celebrated on the sixth day.
