The Pan-African Connection Bookstore in Dallas has been holding daily Kwanzaa activities to bring the community together in celebration of the 7 principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). “Kwan zaa is a cultural celebration,” Pan-African Connection Co-Owner Adjwoa Tyehimba said. “It’s meant to bring people of African American descent together to celebrate unity, self-determination, creativity, and all of the above. It’s a time where if you don’t have money to buy gifts, you come to a program and make a gift. It’s about just loving on each other!” On Wednesday, the Pan-African Connection in Dallas hosted a gathering to practice the 6th principle of Kwanzaa, Creativity. “Our people were very creative, from singing, dancing, coming up with new products, you know, style…everything like that,” Tyehimba said. “So today at the bookstore, we’re celebrating by having a Liberation Paint Party.” “I’m looking for a light purple or light green,” a young girl named Mahogany said as she worked on her piece, sitting with her relatives, Majella and Serenity. “It’s about being together and celebrating our ancestors, and Black lives.” “Kwanzaa is a sense of getting back to that, you know? Not only returning to it, but also moving forward, and the idea that we never really lost who we were,” craft instructor Nommo Kofi Diop said. “Hopefully, they’ll take something home with them, you know? Kwanzaa is supposed to be something that’s practiced at home.” “I know people say this holiday hasn’t always been here,” Tyehimba said. “Well, try something new! It never hurt you to try anything new. It’s really a beautiful celebration.” “Yeah,” Mahogany said. “It makes me feel a little bit happy!” The last day of Kwanzaa is Thursday, January 1st. It is centered around the principle of Faith. ...read more read less