Safari Inspired Chess Set
Plan a wild strategy with this safari-inspired chess set featuring animals from the African veldt. Alabastrite. Wood chess board: 15" x 15" x 13/4" thick.
$60.00
Harvest Glass Candleholder
Splendid autumn hues glow with warmth as a candle glimmers behind stained glass panels. Colorful acorn design graces this handsome holder with the fall season’s breathtaking beauty! Weight 0.5 lb. Metal and glass. Candle not included.
3" square x 3 1/8" high.
The Continental African Roots
Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from 26 December thru 1 January, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.
The first-fruits celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as ancient Egypt and Nubia and appear in ancient and modern times in other classical African civilizations such as Ashantiland and Yorubaland. These celebrations are also found in ancient and modern times among societies as large as empires (the Zulu or kingdoms (Swaziland) or smaller societies and groups like the Matabele, Thonga and Lovedu, all of southeastern Africa. Kwanzaa builds on the five fundamental activities of Continental African "first fruit" celebrations: ingathering; reverence; commemoration; recommitment; and celebration. Kwanzaa, then, is:
*** a time of ingathering of the people to reaffirm the bonds between them;
***a time of special reverence for the creator and creation in thanks and respect for the blessings, bountifulness and beauty of creation;
***a time for commemoration of the past in pursuit of its lessons and in honor of its models of human excellence, our ancestors;
***a time of recommitment to our highest cultural ideals in our ongoing effort to always bring forth the best of African cultural thought and practice; and
***a time for celebration of the Good, the good of life and of existence itself, the good of family, community and culture, the good of the awesome and the ordinary, in a word the good of the divine, natural and social.
The African American Branch
Rooted in this ancient history and culture, Kwanzaa develops as a flourishing branch of the African American life and struggle as a recreated and expanded ancient tradition. Thus, it bears special characteristics only an African American holiday but also a Pan-African one, For it draws from the cultures of various African peoples, and is celebrated by millions of Africans throughout the world African community. Moreover, these various African peoples celebrate Kwanzaa because it speaks not only to African Americans in a special way, but also to Africans as a whole, in its stress on history, values, family, community and culture.
Kwanzaa was established in 1966 in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement and thus reflects its concern for cultural groundedness in thought and practice, and the unity and self-determination associated with this. It was conceived and established to serve several functions.
Reaffirming and Restoring Culture
First, Kwanzaa was created to reaffirm and restore our rootedness in African culture. It is, therefore, an expression of recovery and reconstruction of African culture which was being conducted in the general context of the Black Liberation Movement of the '60's and in the specific context of The Organization Us, the founding organization of Kwanzaa and the authoritative keeper of its tradition. Secondly, Kwanzaa was created to serve as a regular communal celebration to reaffirm and reinforce the bonds between us as a people. It was designed to be an ingathering to strengthen community and reaffirm common identity, purpose and direction as a people and a world community. Thirdly, Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba (the Seven Principles.) These seven communitarian African values are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). This stress on the Nguzo Saba was at the same time an emphasis on the importance of African communitarian values in general, which stress family, community and culture and speak to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense. And Kwanzaa was conceived as a fundamental and important way to introduce and reinforce these values and cultivate appreciation for them.
Symbols of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa has seven basic symbols and two supplemental ones. Each represents values and concepts reflective of African culture and contributive to community building and reinforcement. The basic symbols in Swahili and then in English are:
Mazao (The Crops)
These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.
Mkeka (The Mat)
This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.
Kinara (The Candle Holder)
This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people -- continental Africans.
Muhindi (The Corn)
This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.
Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles)
These are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.
Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup)
This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.
Zawadi (The Gifts)
These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.
The two supplemental symbols are:
Bendera (The Flag)
The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are the colors of the Organization Us, black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle. It is based on the colors given by the Hon. Marcus Garvey as national colors for African people throughout the world.
Grapevine Wine Bottle Holder
A grapevine crafted from intricately detailed painted wrought iron twists and curves to hold up to six bottles of wine. 10 1/4" x 10" x 30"
Joanna Gamble of Virginia
Boutique and Gift Shop
This page was last updated on: July 20, 2010
Masai Hunters Wall Clock
Awash in golden sunlight at the close of a long hunting journey, a tribe of Masai pauses to celebrate the successes of the day. This artful wall clock warms your home with the earthy hues of the African plains and a feeling of open-air freedom! Wood with china movement clock. Uses one AA battery (not included). 13 3/8" diameter x 1" thick.
Africa
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KWANZAA
Kawanza Girl Figurine
A young African maiden gathers the harvest, sharing life’s bounty to bless her village. A magical glimpse into the everyday life of the warm-hearted people of the plains!
Handmade by CloudWorks™. Weight 0.5 lb. Stone resin. 2 3/4" x 2" x 9" high.
Acorn Salt And Pepper Set
Brighten any meal with a fun and festive tribute to fall! Clever acorn shakers nestle snugly in their matching oak leaf tray. A natural decoration for your tabletop!
Weight 0.5 lb. Stoneware. Hand wash only. P65 Set: 5" x 2 7/8" x 2 3/4" high; each shaker:
1 3/4" diameter x 2 3/8" high. Set
Tribal Traditions Photo Box
Reminiscent of the handicrafts of African artisans, this eye-catching photo box is fashioned from a colorful collection of eclectic materials. An artistic way to keep your favorite memories ready to enjoy! Window on lid holds one 3” x 5” photo.
Weight 1 lb. Wood with fabric cover; glass photo cover. 8 1/4" x 6 3/4" x 2 1/2"
Harvest Bounty Candle Stand
Celebrate Autumn’s gifts of plenty! Handsome candle stand depicts a golden bushel of fresh-cut grains; just add a candle for a fitting decoration for your Fall festivities. Weight 0.8 lb. Stoneware. Candle not included. 4" diameter x 4 1/2"
Harvest Bounty Cutting Board
Celebrate Fall’s plentiful harvest with this colorful all-glass cutting board! A bumper crop of tempting vegetables brightens a textured tempered-glass cutting surface, putting a safe, sanitary preparation surface right at your fingertips.
Giraffe Salt And Pepper Set
Add merriment to mealtimes with this cute and clever shaker set! Each half of this charming giraffe holds a generous helping of salt and pepper right in easy reach.
Weight 0.8 lb. Ceramic. Hand wash only. P65 Set:
6 1/4" x 3 1/4" x 5 3/4" high. Set
Animal Melange
Squared Vase
For a dramatic addition to your favorite room, just add this amazing vase and watch your décor come alive! An impressive shape gets designer impact from a stunning trio of animal-skin prints. Simply stunning! Decorative purposes only. Weight 8.6 lbs. Ceramic. 17" x 6" x 17" high.
Gold Magnificence
Accent Bowl
Magnificent metallic glass bowl ignites any scene with an entrancing golden glow. A sleek shape and abstract glaze pattern make this into a mod-art treasure for any discerning decorator! Decorative purposes only. Weight 1.4 lbs. Glass. 8 3/4" x 9" x 2"
Gods Green Earth Tote
Stylish tote bears a message worth remembering; just right for anyone who loves God’s world and all its creatures. Endlessly reusable bag is earth-friendly fashion at its finest! Scripture on front: Psalm 24:1 The Earth is the Lord’s & everything in it. Reinforced bottom. Weight 0.2 lb. Fabric mesh bag with screen printed design. 12 1/2" x 8 1/4" x 13"
Safari Mini Plate Decor
When no ordinary tame plate decoration will do, this quartet of peppy plates is just for you! Four miniature plates blaze with sunny color, each beautifully embellished with a different beloved African animal. Custom display rack included. For decorative purposes only.
Weight 1.3 lbs. Ceramic plates with metal rack. Set: 5"" x 1"" x 23"" high. Each plate is 4 1/2"" diameter. Set
Amazing Love Nails Plaque
Faux stone slab holds at its heart three mighty nails, bringing to mind the loving gift of life that Jesus has given us all. A moving and eloquent testament to the Savior’s supreme sacrifice! Hole on back for hanging.
Weight 1.4 lbs. Resin
. 5 1/2" x 1 1/4" x 7 1/2
Inspirational Prayer Plaque
Faith is all-important, and serving the Lord is a sacred duty. This wall decor delights and inspires with its lovely, lacy design and central proverb, Joshua 24:15. A great housewarming gift! Saw-tooth on back for hanging. Weight 2.4 lbs. Polyresin. 9 3/4" x 1/2" x 7 1/2" high.
Bamboo Lily Large Jar Candle
Let your mind float away on a sweetly scented cloud, to a place of sheer serenity! The enticing scents of bamboo and Asian lily create a calming cocoon of peace and beauty. 20 oz.
Weight 2.2 lbs. Soy blend wax in a glass jar with wooden lid. 4 1/2" diameter x 5 3/4" high.
Leopard Print Shell Jewelry Set
Unleash your wild side and turn any ensemble from tame to tempting! Splashy leopard-print medallion necklace and coordinating earrings create a head-turning look that’s destined to delight. Weight 0.1 lb. Natural shell with fabric cords. Necklace: 16" long; adjustable to 19" long; earrings: 1 1/2" long. Set
Serengeti Bracelet
Squared shapes and playful animal prints bring to mind the untamed adventure of an African safari. A wild and wonderful accessory you won’t want to be without! Weight 0.1 lb. Clay, wood, and plastic beads.
2 3/4" diameter x 3/4" thick.
Celebrated Woman
Stick Pin
Celebrate your fantastically feminine side! Colorful miniature hat pin adds warm-hearted whimsy to our wardrobe and shows the world that you’re one glorious, glamorous girl. A faithful replica of the original hat by celebrated designer Harriet Rosebud. Rubber-tipped safety closure. Weight 0.1 lb. Resin and metal. 2" x 3/8" x 2 3/4" high.
Fortune Tusk Bracelet
Simple shapes and luscious colors form an elegant backdrop for a natural-shell “good fortune” tusk charm. An instant lucky favorite for any fashion fanatic! Weight 0.1 lb. Metal chain with wood, acrylic, and mother of pearl charms. 8 1/8" long.
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