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Kwanzaa Exhibition Open in USM's Glickman Family Library through January 10

December 13, 2007

University of Southern Maine Special Collections has mounted an exhibition "The Gifts of Kwanzaa" in honor of the holiday, and to show support and solidarity for the Bangor branch of the NAACP, that recently had to cancel their Kwanzaa celebration due to threats of violence. "The Gifts of Kwanzaa" will be available for viewing through Thursday, January 10, 2008 in the Special Collections exhibition room on the 6th floor of the Glickman Family Library, Forest Ave., Portland. The exhibition will be open during normal library hours (http://library.usm.maine.edu/about/hoursWinter2007.html).

Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates African American hertage, culture, family, and community. Celebrated from December 26 through January 1, its origins lie in the African first harvest celebrations from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, the most widely spoken African language. Kwanzaa consists of seven days of celebration, featuring activities such as candle-lighting, pouring of libations, and culminating with a feast and gift-giving. Gifts (zawadi) are usually exchanged between parents and children and are traditionally given on the last day of Kwanzaa. However, gift giving during Kwanzaa may occur at any time. Gifts are given mainly to children, and usually include an educational book and a heritage symbol. The book is to emphasize the African value and tradition of learning, and the heritage symbol is to reaffirm and reinforce the African commitment to tradition and history. Heritage symbols include traditional African items, such as sculpture, art objects, musical instruments, African baskets, and cloth patterns.

The African American objects in the exhibition were acquired by Gerald E. Talbot from South Africa. The books come from the Gerald E. Talbot Collection and the Anne D. Williams Family Collection of Movable Books.

Caption for photo:
A mask from the Gerald E. Talbot Collection and a pop-up book, Nancy William’s "A Kwanzaa Celebration" from the Anne D. Willams Family Collection of Movable Books, both on display in Special Collections, USM’s Glickman Library.

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