KWANZAA BEGINS: FOOD, FAMILY AND ALL.

Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer

SAN FERNANDO - Who are we? What are our goals? Where in the community can we exhibit pride in our culture? Why is unity important? When will our dreams become reality?

African-Americans who observe Kwanzaa will be discussing similar questions and pondering the answers with family and friends over the weeklong cultural festival that begins today.

Kwanzaa, a word derived from a Swahili word meaning ``first fruits of the harvest,'' always runs Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. While Kwanzaa has no religious affiliation, seven thought-provoking principles are discussed in turn on each of the seven days.

``I feel like I have something of my own, not something imposed on me. That's why I like Kwanzaa - it's strictly African-American,'' said Jacqueline Whatley, a journalism student at Mission College in Sylmar. ``It's not a religious holiday and it's not an African holiday.

``The message of Kwanzaa is to promote togetherness and unity among African-Americans.''

Whatley learned about Kwanzaa in elementary school in Michigan. She has been celebrating Kwanzaa with her mother and sister for about seven years.

Her family gathers around a table set with symbolic items for Kwanzaa - a colorful African tablecloth, a straw mat, a ``unity'' cup, ears of corn and fruits and vegetables.

Whatley's mother lights a candle on the kinara, Kwanzaa's seven-branched candelabra, which includes one black candle, usually lit on the first day, and three red and three green candles.

The black candle represents African-Americans, the red candles symbolize their struggles, and the green candles represent the rewards of those struggles.

Whatley's family members have their own Kwanzaa traditions. They may light a red candle instead of the black candle on the first day, and they exchange gifts, often homemade, on the last day.

Kwanzaa tradition calls for a festive feast on Dec. 31. Turkey, yams, greens and black-eyed peas are family favorites on this day in the Whatley's home.

Her family's most treasured Kwanzaa tradition, however, is storytelling and the reading of African-American folktales like those found in Virginia Hamilton's ``The People Could Fly.''

``There is an actual formal ceremony for each day of Kwanzaa but it depends on who you're with. Different people do it differently,'' said the Rev. Zedar Broadous, pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in San Fernando and a member of the Los Angeles County Commission of Human Relations.

``In my family, for example, we got together at my sister's house on Jan. 1. We brought something from home that we weren't using or didn't want anymore and we exchanged those things. But the real deal of Kwanzaa is to deal with the principles of the day as a group.''

The message of Kwanzaa, said Broadous, was initially about revitalizing African-American culture. While he appreciates Kwanzaa's intent to pull African-Americans together, he also sees it as an opportunity for straightforward talk on prickly communitywide issues.

``With all the conversations about Stanley Williams in the last few weeks, the bigger issue is our response to gangs and how do we address that,'' Broadous said. ``Kwanzaa is the time to look at these issues.''

Whatley said the most important principle to her is ``umoja,'' or unity, that will be discussed today. The fourth principle, ``ujamaa,'' or collective economics, is dear to Broadous' heart. His dream is to see African-American-owned businesses that are major employers in the San Fernando Valley.

``I shop in Pacoima because this is where I live. We should be conscious of patronizing African-American-owned businesses but we need to devise methods to bring people from all over the San Fernando Valley to this neighborhood,'' said Broadous. ``One of the projects for me for 2006 involves the third principle, 'ujima' - collective work. I'm thinking about how to build and maintain the African-American community in the San Fernando Valley. Specifically, I'm thinking about establishing a performing arts center and a museum.''

Holly Andres, [phone]

holly.andres(at)dailynews.com

IF YOU GO

The Lula Washington Dance Theatre will hold a three-day Kwanzaa celebration beginning with a dinner and concert, 6 p.m. Thursday at 3773 S. Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles. Tickets $100-$500. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is scheduled to speak on the principle of ``ujamaa.'' Dance performances, 8 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for dance concerts, $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Call [phone].

Kwanzaa Heritage Festival and Parade, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Leimert Park Village, 4330 Degnan Blvd., Los Angeles. Free admission. Parade, noon Sunday. Rain will not cancel events. Call [phone].

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Photo:

Daryl Stephenson and Jacqueline Whatley lay out the symbolic elements of Kwanzaa: the seven-candle kinara, fruits and vegetables. Kwanzaa begins today.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer

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IF YOU GO (see text)