A Cultural Lift From Kwanzaa

The dancer started out slowly, moving gently to the drumbeat with her 3-year-old son clinging to her side. So the audience was totally unprepared when Tamara Mobley exploded into a colorful blur of movement.

Arms whizzing, hips swinging, head bouncing, Mobley interpreted an ancient African social dance, breathing life into a disparate group of a hundred or so people gathered at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana. They became united, clapping and swaying and exchanging smiles of excited wonder.

For Mobley, it was an exhilarating performance. She loves Kwanzaa, an African American holiday that stretches from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. The Philadelphia native grew up with the holiday tradition, but since moving to Anaheim eight years ago this is the first time she has joined in a community celebration in Orange County.

The holiday was created 36 years ago by Maulana Karenga, a professor of black studies at Cal State Long Beach. A different ideal is celebrated each day, reaffirming and restoring black Americans’ links to African culture and highlighting the importance of family and tradition.

The African Cultural Arts Council has held a Kwanzaa celebration at the Bowers Museum for the last nine years, drawing people from all over Orange County.

“We love it,” said Chris Woodard, who came from Irvine with his wife and daughter. “It’s not religious or political. It’s just a cultural celebration.”

On Saturday, those who came to Santa Ana celebrated Ujamaa, or cooperative economics. The other principles of Kwanzaa are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination) Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith.) “Think about the store owners, doctors and other professionals who are African Americans,” said Marissa Shoemaker, 9, of Lake Forest, lighting up the room in her bright blue African dress. “The principle of Ujamaa reminds us to support them by using their services and buying their products.”

This was Marissa’s first Kwanzaa. But her mother said the family will probably adopt the tradition.

“I liked it,” said Marissa, munching on a turkey sandwich after the afternoon program, which included storytelling, a fashion show, a skit explaining the holiday and the lighting of the Mishuma, candles that represent the seven principles.

Others who attended the program said they enjoyed celebrating with other African Americans from across the county.

“We live in south Orange County,” said Sharon Romeo of Dana Point. “There aren’t very many African Americans in south Orange County.”

Bob Kline of Laguna Niguel, who is white, brought his grandson.

“He’s part African American, and in Orange County, there aren’t a lot of opportunities for him to experience his culture,” Kline said. “I thought it was very informative and I met some nice people.”

Taylor, his grandson, was able to try an African instrument.

“I got to play one of the rattlers,” he said. “It was good.”