This year's annual Kwanzaa Celebration will take place on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 6:00 PM in BlueRidge Ballroom and the Feast following at 7pm in Grandfather Mountain ballroom in the Plemmons Student Union at Appalachian State University.

This year's special guest will be named in the coming months.  Pictured to the left is last year's special guest, Obakunle Akinlana.  Akinlana is a storyteller who uses drums and other African musical instruments to present fun and exciting traditional African folktales.

Based on harvest and planting ceremonies in Africa, Kwanzaa (which means first fruits) was created as an African-American Celebration by Dr. Ron Karenga of California in 1966. It is celebrated seven days and nights, December 26 through January 1st. Each day, one of the seven principles of African tribal traditions is celebrated as a candle on the Kinara (candelholder) is lit.

During Kwanzaa, people in the community get together and celebrate in one of several ways: drumming and dancing performances; poetry reading; storytelling; sharing information about our African and African American ancestors; honoring the elders of the community; learning about the principles and how they can be practiced throughout the year; feasting; gift giving; and many other activities.

Please join The Office of Multicultural Student Development as we Celebrate Kwanzaa. Please plan on staying with us to Feast following the Celebration.

Save the date: Tuesday, November 17th, 2009