Maly and Havi Viltz light the kinara candle at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Expo Arts Center in Long Beach. (Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer)
More than 400 people attended the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration on Sunday.
Kwanzaa honors African American culture and is observed from December 26 through January 1. This year’s event included performances by the Dembrebrah drum and dance company, spoken word artist Shy But Flyy, Street Corner Renaissance and Baba The Story Teller.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, currently the chair of Africana Studies at Cal State Long Beach. The word Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” Seven candles are lit to celebrate what Karenga calls the seven principals of Kwanzaa, the best of African thought and practice.
The event was coordinated by Max Viltz of the Afrikan Cultural Research & Study Group. She said that this year’s Kwanzaa celebration drew the most people in the organization’s history.
“There has been a resurgence of pride in the African American community,” she said.
“I think that’s because we’re becoming aware that racism is becoming worse. People are recording racist incidents and we’re watching them (on social media),” Viltz said. “Black people are being told where they can and cannot be.”
Viltz said that the increase in racism is coming from the top. “The administration is saying that racism is okay,” she said. “So now, more than ever, people are longing to learn of our rich African culture.”
Victor Pearson shouts a Kwanzaa chant at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Expo Arts Center in Long Beach. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer
Zion Smith lights a kinara candle. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerA member of the Dembrebrah Dancers performs at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerA member of the Dembrebrah Dancers performs at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerAzelie Claude lights the kinara candle. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerAdisa and Sakkara Anderson help three girls on lighting the kinara candle at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerSpoken word performer Shy But Flyy gets a hug from fellow performer Subject Matter at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration.Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerOlufemi and Max Viltz perform the Libation ceremony. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerHanif Riley plays drums as part of the Dembrebrah performance group. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerThe Dembrebrah drummers perform. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerA member of the Dembrebrah Dancers performs at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerA member of the Dembrebrah Dancers performs. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerA member of the Dembrebrah Dancers performs at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration.Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerMoya Mzuri sang the South African National Anthem at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration.Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerLong Beach council member Al Austin II spoke at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration.Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerThe artist Enkone was producing one of his paintings during the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Expo Arts Center in Long Beach. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerBabajohn Beatty sings a song at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing PhotographerGrandma Mae’s Doll Collection was one of the art vendors at the 29th Annual Long Beach Kwanzaa Celebration. Photo by Bill Alkofer, Contributing Photographer
