Denver's Kwanzaa Committee prepares for its 16th year of unique twists on the holiday tradition
DENVER — For Deborah Sims Fard, this year’s Kwanzaa will be a “different kind of journey.”
Sims Fard’s mother was the one who introduced her to Kwanzaa, and 2023 will be the first year that she’ll celebrate without her mom, who passed away.
“So, I believe that because [my mother] thought it was important, that I need to continue [the celebration of Kwanzaa],” said Sims Fard, who is the executive director of The Denver Kwanzaa Committee.
This holiday season, the Denver metro area continues its deep-rooted history of observing Kwanzaa as the Denver Kwanzaa Committee prepares to celebrate its 16th year of unique twists on the holiday tradition.
“[Kwanzaa] is a community celebration that has Black people in mind,” said Sims Fard, who has celebrated the holiday since she was a kid.
“There are many celebrations that are wonderful, all of them are great. But not all of them are inclusive. This is a celebration that has me in mind, has my children in mind, my mother in mind, has our family and community in mind, and I think that is what’s unique,” she said.
Sims Fard said one of the things she find most beautiful about the celebration of Kwanzaa is it does not have a religious affiliation.
Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and activist , created Kwanzaa in 1966. The holiday is a celebration observed from December 26 to January 1. A secular practice, Kwanzaa is rooted in African heritage and values and emphasizes community, family and culture. The name "Kwanzaa" is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits."
During Kwanzaa, families come together to light the Kinara, a candleholder with seven candles (three red, three green, and one black). Each night, a different principle is discussed, and the corresponding candle is lit.
There are also other symbols, such as the Mazao (crops), Mkeka (mat), Vibunzi (ear of corn), Zawadi (gifts) and Kikombe cha Umoja (unity cup), that are used to represent different aspects of African heritage and values.
Members of The Denver Kwanzaa Committee, including Sims Fard, gather for a photo.
Photo: Lindsey Ford, Rocky Mountain PBS
Opalanga Pugh, who passed away in 2010, started The Denver Kwanzaa Committee in 2007 to plan civic celebrations of the holiday. Pugh and Theodora Jackson, who has also since passed away, pioneered unique new elements of the celebration.
Among these is the "circle of wisdom" elders that inducts four community members over the age of 65 during the first night of Kwanzaa. The council also sets up a Kinara at the Charles R. Cousins Plaza in Five Points and hosts a dance On Dec 31st from 3:30p.m.-7:00p.m. at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, located at 119 Park Ave W in Denver.
“All of the principles that Kwanzaa speaks to are principles that are needed,” Sims Fard said. “From a world view, I think that Kwanzaa this year holds a unique space and should on everybody’s table.”
Lindsey Ford is a multimedia journalist at Rocky Mountain PBS. Lindseyford@rmpbs.org.