As Barbados joins African-Americans in honouring Kwanzaa, the vibrant celebrations found their rhythm in Haynesville, where the tight-knit St James community revelled in a cultural parade and rally on Wednesday.Kwanzaa is an African-American festival that takes place annually from December 26 to January 1. Founded by activist and Africana studies professor Dr Maulana Karenga in 1966, it is a week-long observance that honours and celebrates African heritage and seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.Day two of the festivities centred on the principle of Kujichagulia – self-determination. This principle encourages individuals to define, name, and advocate for themselves and is a call for self-empowerment.One of the Haynesville event’s organisers, Kelvin Carvalho, highlighted its alignment with the National Kwanzaa Festival. He noted that the celebration is a Pan-African holiday fostering unity through history, values, family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa transcends religious affiliations, emphasising universal human values.
