Kwanzaa Day 6: Creativity

"Kuumba" means Creativity

SALISBURY, Md. – Habari Gani? What’s the News?

Kuumba

Today is Day 6 of Kwanzaa, and the principle is Kuumba which is Swahili for creativity. Kuumba means to do always as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than when we inherited it.

This can refer to individual creativity, but the focus is on improving and bringing beauty to your community through that creativity, whether it’s art, dance, music, or literature. On this the last red candle is lit.

Illuminating Traditions: A Journey Through Light and Culture

Raye Vallion- Gillette is the curator at Salisbury University’s Museum of Eastern Shore Culture. They created an Exhibit focusing on holidays with lights, and Kwanzaa was one of the ones chosen. She says creativity is being expressed through culture and community, and in this case because it was students took the time to learn the history behind the holiday, it aligned perfectly with the principle

“So, the colors they chose, the way they did the exhibit, that was all them… To see them take the research, and take like the academic study, and combine it, and really express themselves creatively, as they learned from the tradition bearers how certain things were represented during the holiday, I thought was really inspiring.”

Youth

This day of Kwanzaa is focused on the children. Many create beaded necklaces, artwork, Kwanzaa cards, and more to celebrate their artist ways.

The museum of Eastern Shore Culture says the exhibit will be open throughout January 15th. Be sure to stop by 218 West Main Street 11:00 to 4:00 pm Tuesday through Saturday to check out the Kwanzaa display.