FamilyCares Holiday Hope Chests
Award winning author, Debbi Chocolate wrote about Kwanzaa to share the experience of celebrating this African American holiday, which takes place from December 26th to January 1st. In these three books, the Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles of Kwanzaa, are presented to readers of all ages so that “they may share the good feeling that comes from celebrating and honoring ties that bind people to the spirits of their ancestors”. Her dream is that one day, “Kwanzaa will not only be an annual celebration but truly a way of life.”
Debbi is also a storyteller, and educator. She is currently teaching a course on juvenile picture books and novels at Columbia College. Her aSward winning books include, The Piano Man, Kente Colors and Talk, Talk: An Ashanti Legend. She has recently published Pigs Can Fly: The Adventures of Harriet Pig and Friends and is working on El Barrio, a book in English and Spanish, which will be illustrated by award winning, David Diaz. Debbi lives in Chicago with her husband and two sons.
- Why was Kwanzaa created for African Americans?
It was created [in 1966] to bring the African American community closer to each other and teach them to value more deeply their African roots and integrate those values into African American Society.
- Why is celebrating Kwanzaa important for African American children?
It gives them an opportunity to celebrate with people who look like them. It provides children the closeness that a community can provide and encourages bonding that should take place in all families.
- Was Kwanzaa originally celebrated only in America? Do most African Americans now celebrate Kwanzaa?
Yes, Kwanzaa is an original African American invention that has spread by word of mouth. People recognized the need for family bonding, ties of kinship, the need for strengthening relationships. This need contributed to Kwanzaa taking root in communities all over the country. I would say about 85% of African Americans celebrates Kwanzaa and 100% know about it.
- Are other countries adopting the celebration?
Yes, Africans live all over the world and the roots of the holiday, which are based in ancestor worship and the binding together of extended families, speak to Africans on every continent.
- You’ve written three Kwanzaa books: Kwanzaa, My First Kwanzaa Book, and A Very Special Kwanzaa, are they autobiographical?
Kwanzaa is autobiographical. My First Kwanzaa Book, extended the idea to younger readers. The book that followed it, The Piano Man, is also autobiographic. My grandparents were in Vaudeville. Not too many people are left who performed in Vaudeville. It was rare to be able to share that.
- What do your sons like the best about the week of celebration?
I would say, night seven, the culminating night, where the principle of Imani, faith, is celebrated. On that night, the family is looking forward to integrating their hopes and wishes for their new life in the New Year while remembering what their ancestors have given to them. Each family member gets to speak to the principles and how it has impacted their lives and speak about how they hope the principles will work in the New Year. Our celebration starts at 2 or 3 in the afternoon and goes on all night. It is a loose social gathering focusing on the 7 principles and talking about family members who might not be with us. It is an ongoing weaving together of faith, hope and spirit. It is like recharging our batteries, which is why all families come together on Thanksgiving or the Fourth of July. You come back to the family to reaffirm who you are and what your destiny is as a member of the family. It is also a recommitment of sharing the principles of Kwanzaa outside of your family.
- Does your family bring Kwanzaa to other groups to teach them about it or encourage them to celebrate it?
As an author, I am invited to schools, community centers, churches and other neighborhood institutions. We set up the candles, people bring a dish of food and the community celebrates together. When my sons were in school, Kwanzaa was a normal part of their holiday celebrations and was also celebrated in Boys and Girls Clubs and day care centers.
- How do you encourage children to practice the principles, year round?
I remind them that you keep promises to your friends and you keep promises to your coach. I ask kids to adhere to the principles of Kwanzaa year round, which are based in friendship and love.
FamilyCares and Kids Care Clubs thank Debbi Chocolate for sharing her time with us and beautifully elucidating an African American celebration that promotes principles that benefit all families and their communities.
This interview was conducted by telephone in November, 2004.
