Maconites celebrate Kwanzaa’s seventh, final day
Kwanzaa is a weeklong non-religious celebration of African American culture rooted in seven principles.
MACON, GEORGIA (41NBC/WMGT) – The seventh candle was lit Monday in Macon, concluding a week of events of Kwanzaa – a celebration of African American culture. All week long, there have been events around Middle Georgia celebrating the non-religious festival, concluding with a day of medication at Homeland Village in Macon.
“We actually put on the first Kwanzaa [in Macon] in 1989,” owner of Homeland Village Cultural Center Kirklyn Hodges said.
When Hodges moved to Macon from Atlanta in 1981, he says he didn’t really see anyone celebrating the tradition, so he took it upon himself to take the lead. Since then, Hodges has positioned Homeland Village to be a safe haven for African Americans. The organization provides information about health, provides natural goods, community gardening and sells clothes rooted in culture.
“It has all of the components based on the principles,” Hodges said. The seven principles include in unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Even with Kwanzaa coming to a close, Hodges says there are things we all can still do to keep the tradition alive.
He says to learn your culture, respect your elders, honor your ancestors and just try to live a wholesome life in which you give back to society as much as you take.
