10 UCW DECEMBER 25-31, 2019
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
The Umoja Group, Inc. of
Fayetteville presents its annual
Kwanzaa celebration Sunday, Dec.
29 from 3-6 p.m. at Smith Recreation
Center located at Seabrook Park.
Kwanzaa is a secular event that
celebrates culture, family and com-
munity.
The activities include a drum call,
welcome song, tribute to elders, a
libation to honor ancestors, drum-
mers, dancers, singers, a parade of
African queens and kings, a feast, a
children's candlelight ceremony and
traditional dance performances. The
candle lighting ceremony features
the seven principles of Kwanzaa,
which are values to live by daily.
They include unity, self-determi-
nation, collective work and respon-
sibility, cooperative economics,
purpose, creativity and faith. There
will be a presentation of the annual
Umoja Group scholarship at the
event, as well.
The Umoja Group is a nonprofit
organization and donations are ap-
preciated and tax deductible. Bring
your favorite food dish to share and
dress in ethnic wear.
Kwanzaa was first celebrated
in 1966 when Maulana Karenga
introduced the celebration. Karenga
modeled the event after traditional
African harvest festivals and named
it based on the Swahili phrase
"matunda ya kwanza," which means
"first fruits." Although Kwanzaa
takes place during Christmas and
Hanukkah seasons, it is not a reli-
gious holiday.
The event is free and open to the
public. For more information, call
910-485-8035 or email umojagroup-
fay@gmail.com.
Umoja Group celebrates Kwanzaa
at Smith Recreation Center
by DR. SHANESSA FENNER
EVENT
DR. SHANESSA FENNER, Prin-
cipal, WT Brown Elementary School.
COMMENTS? Editor@upandcom-
ingweekly.com. 910-484-6200.
house ad 1/8
CHRISTMAS
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Station Station
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The City of Fayetteville provides a great service with loose
leaf collection beginning during the fall part of the year.
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Questions?
Call (910) 433-1532 or 910-433-1FAY (433-1329).
Go Online
910-484-6200
www.upandcomingweekly.com
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