Learn more about the African American Dance Ensemble by calling (919) 560-2729 or visiting www.africanamericandanceensemble.org.
Chuck Davis and the African American Dance Ensemble present "Ancient Rhythms: Urban Echoes Cultural Extravaganza" on Friday downtown at the Durham Armory, 201 Foster St. Doors open at noon, and the program runs from 2 to 5 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will feature an African-styled marketplace.
Attendees are asked to bring toiletry items to support a shelter for battered women.
Find out what's happening at the Hayti Heritage Center by calling (919) 683-1709 or logging on to www.hayti.org.
By John McCann
jmccann@heraldsun.com; 419-6601
DURHAM -- Speaking Swahili, Zayd Malik Shakur asked the crowd nestled Sunday night inside St. Joseph's Performance Hall at the Hayti Heritage Center, "What's the news?"
"Habari gani?" Shakur began.
"Kujichagulia!" the crowd responded.
"What's that mean?" Shakur rhetorically continued.
"Self-determination!" came the reply from the crowd.
The call and response were in rhythm. Shakur had folks in sync like that, and Khayree McKinnon and some more young drummers from Collage Dance Company helped the crowd stay on the same groove during the Kwanzaa celebration.
Chuck Davis, founder and artistic director of the African American Dance Ensemble, launched the lively service by lighting two candles on a kinara, a seven-pronged candle holder similar to menorahs lit during the Jewish Hanukkah holiday.
Kwanzaa is a holiday rooted in the African tradition that is celebrated from Dec. 26 through New Year's Day. It's based on the agricultural celebration known as "first fruits," which has to do with times of harvesting, reverencing, commemorating the past, recommitting to cultural ideals and embracing what's good.
Davis lit the black candle standing tall in the center of the kinara to signify the first day of Kwanzaa -- the day after Christmas -- focusing on what's known as umoja, or unity.
Sunday was the second day of Kwanzaa, and the principle was kujichagulia, which is about -- if you'll recall Shakur's call-and-response session -- self-determination. Davis lit the appropriate candle on the kinara.
Rounding out the seven principles of Kwanzaa are ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujama (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith).
Along with the drummers, Collage Dance Company dancers contorted their bodies under control to a delighted crowd collectively smelling of fragrant body oil. Many of those gathered sported dreadlocks and other natural hairstyles along with traditional African attire.
Which is a good thing, because black people -- unlike other ethic groups -- don't do enough to learn about their own culture, said Davis, who earlier this month was awarded an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Davis also has honorary doctorate degrees from Medgar Evers College in New York and Williams College, Williamstown, Mass.
At one point during Sunday's Kwanzaa celebration, Davis called for "the elders," those 55 and older. Once up front, Davis led them in libations, one of which encouraged those in the performance hall to honor whichever force they recognize as creator of the world.
The libations were done with water. Davis said he doesn't want to cause young people to get involved with alcoholic beverages.
Davis early on in the program made the point that folks should adhere to the principles of Kwanzaa all year long.
