When Shirley Darkeh lights the black, red and green candles today, she'll think of hope. An ancient land. A people's tradition.
Today marks the first day of Kwanzaa, a secular seven-day festival that celebrates African-American culture and history.
Darkeh, who lives in Westbury, said she's been observing the holiday almost since it was created 41 years ago by Maulana Karenga, a black-studies professor in California.
"It's not a political holiday, and it's not celebrating one individual," Darkeh explained. "It's a celebration of a people."
Every year, Kwanzaa - named after a Swahili phrase for "first fruits" - falls on the day after Christmas, but has no connection to it.
Gifts are encouraged to be handmade and usually include a book or something educational for children.
Continue reading this article on Kwanzaa by Newsday's Jennifer Barrios.
For more information about Kwanzaa, check out the official Web site.
Online marketplace Etsy has a touching article about a family of adopted children and their celebration of Kwanzaa.
Photo: Mekiyah McCorvey 7, of Wyandanch points to the first lit candle on the Kinara (candleholder) and recites the first of the seven principles at the Wyandanch Public Library. (Photo by Joseph D. Sullivan)
