Kwanzaa, the annual celebration of African harvest traditions, will be observed in programs scheduled for tonight and Sunday in the Toledo Museum of Art.
Tonight, the museum will sponsor a free guided family tour of its African Gallery at 6:30 conducted by Nadine Smith, community liaison for the art museum. Space is limited. Those planning to take the tour should meet in the first-floor lobby.
On Sunday, Ghanaian drummer and dancer Habib Iddrisu of Bowling Green will perform as part of the museum's free Winter Holiday Celebration. Mr. Iddrisu will perform from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. and from 3:30 to 4:40 p.m. in the Great Gallery.
Information on both programs is available from the art museum, 419-255-8000.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration that runs Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. It was created in 1966 by civil rights activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga as a way for African-Americans to recognize their African heritage.
Kwanzaa, a Swahili word that means “fresh fruits of the harvest,” is based on guiding principles celebrated each day: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
The celebration ends with a Karamu, the Swahili word for “the feast.”