‘It’s an opportunity to redefine who we are as African-Americans. . . .’

Traditional African societies often gathered at harvest time to celebrate the fruits of their labor. Tonight, African-Americans can celebrate their cultural heritage during a similar year-end celebration called Kwanzaa, a Swahili word meaning “the first fruits of the harvest.”

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., Faith United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, a congregation that includes many Inglewood residents, will combine a Kwanzaa celebration with an ecumenical service under the theme “Seeing Christ in Kwanzaa.”

“Kwanzaa is a time for celebrating and renewing ourselves,” said the Rev. M. Andrew Robinson-Gaither, the church’s pastor. “It’s an opportunity to redefine who we are as African-Americans and not have other people define who we are.”

The celebration was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, who wanted to devise a holiday to pay tribute to the rich cultural roots of African-Americans.

Karenga, chairman of the Black Studies Department at Cal State Long Beach, established Kwanzaa to help African-Americans counter negative self-images and recognize their heritage as a product of both cultures, said Robinson-Gaither, known to his congregation as Pastor Andrew.

Kwanzaa is observed for seven days starting Dec. 26. It is neither a substitute for Christmas nor a religious holiday.

“It is a non-heroic holiday when we celebrate ourselves,” said Theresa Sharp, a member of the church and of the ecumenical Winnie Mandela Women’s Ministry, which is co-sponsoring the service. “It gives us a chance to remember our ancestors across the waters and right here in our memory.”

During each of the seven days of Kwanzaa, people light a candle representing one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa developed by Karenga to serve as guides for daily living, Sharp said.

The principles, and their Swahili names, are: Unity ( ujoma ), self-determination ( kujichagulia ), collective work and responsibility ( ujima ), cooperative economics ( ujamma ), purpose ( nia ), creativity ( kuumba ) and faith ( imani ).

As part of tonight’s service, seven pastors from Los Angeles-area churches will each talk for seven minutes about one of the principles of Kwanzaa.

Each pastor will “tie biblical references to our own experiences as African-Americans and give a vision for the future and for now,” Robinson-Gaither said. “They will explain the principles in everyday language.”

The principles have individual and community applications. For example, parents often give small, homemade gifts to their children in recognition of work completed or responsibilities fulfilled during the year, Sharp said. And, in accordance with cooperative economics, people are encouraged to build and maintain businesses and stores for the benefit of the community.

It is difficult to know how many people across the country celebrate Kwanzaa, but in the Los Angeles area the holiday “is gaining popularity as more and more people become aware of it,” said Ron Dungee, editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel, an African-American community newspaper.

“It provides something that has been lacking in the culture and gives us a sense of our history that extends beyond slavery,” Dungee said.

The seven pastors have encouraged their congregations to participate in tonight’s service. The public is also invited, Robinson-Gaither said, and many people who do not usually attend church are expected.

Lonnie Morgan and the Voices in Praise, the Sadoc Christian Singers and several other local gospel groups will provide music.

Even after the last candle is extinguished, the lessons of Kwanzaa will continue to offer inspiration to deal with community problems.

“All during the year, the principles of Kwanzaa are being acted out somewhere in our church and community,” Robinson-Gaither said. “The imagery of Kwanzaa is representative of who we are and who we are striving to be in our community.”

What: “Seeing Christ in Kwanzaa,” an ecumenical service and celebration.

Where: Faith United Methodist Church, 1713 W. 108th St., Los Angeles.

When: Tonight, 7:30.

Admission: Free.

Information: Call the church at (213) 754-8453.