“Kwanzaa is a celebration that can really bring us together: it cuts through religion, language, culture and whatever nation we affiliate with,” says Thomas.

Kwanzaa occurs annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 – with each day honouring a specific principle.

The upcoming celebration is made possible through the city of Victoria’s OUR DWTN Ideas Fund. Established in 2023, the OUR DWTN program supports free events and public art initiatives in downtown Victoria.

Connecting with local talent

Thomas points out that people of African descent have been in this country since before its formation as Canada. Some communities – such as Caribbean immigrants down east – have deep roots.

“The African diaspora is vast, but how we all find ourselves coming to it is really different,” she shares.

Thomas adds that migration from West Africa to B.C. has increased over the past two decades, particularly with the arrival of international students – many of whom celebrate Christmas.

“We are interjecting [this celebration] at a time that already has a really strong ritual,” she says.

For Thomas, Kwanzaa does not have to replace celebrations of Christmas or the Georgian New Year.

“It’s really just about supporting and uplifting the community [for] those of us who have African descent,” she emphasizes.

Kwanzaa’s seven principles are written in Swahili: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia(Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity) and Imani (Faith).

“We’re not limiting it to just the African descent community,” she adds. “We’re opening it up – it’s an opportunity for intercultural education.”

Thomas envisions the event as capturing the mosaic of the Black diaspora. 4Roots Collective Foundation plans to serve Haitian, Jamaican, Nigerian, Ethiopian and Trinidadian food to 150-200 community members.

“It’s a day of feasting,” Thomas says. “We really wanted it to be something that we could give to everybody in the community and not have there be any barriers.”

Vancouver-based DJ Oga Rosco will also bring his Afro-Caribbean rhythms and global grooves to the dance floor. For Thomas, the celebration’s secular approach makes it inclusive, even to non-Black communities.

“With Kuumba, we are celebrating creativity,” she says. “We’re going to have live musicians: Caleb Hart who is a local Caribbean [and] incredible musician, reggae artist is putting together a Kwanzaa Ensemble.”

The Ensemble will feature local talent, including Nigerian musician TK The Artist. Mbira Spirit – known for their fusion of Zimbabwean rhythms with North American classics – will also perform.

Creating new traditions

The organization is working with Haitian Canadian artist-facilitator Mayouba Divi. Divi – who has created mandalas out of PVC piping – will host free workshops prior to the Dec. 31 event where participants can paint pieces.

The pieces, which look like question marks or a half heart, are then formed into a full heart. The project is titled Ki Moun ou Ye Mandala, Haitian Creole for “Who Are You?” The final piece will be exhibited at the Kuumba event.

“There’ll be a special time dedicated to talking about how everybody came together for that [art project],” Thomas shares. “It’s a really community-centred [event].”

To keep the event family-friendly, the team has decided not to serve alcohol. The event will also have a kids zone as well as vendors.

“It’s an experiment – it’s all of our first time celebrating it,” Thomas shares. “We’re also rolling out an educational campaign, getting people to understand what Kwanzaa is.”

Thomas first practiced Kwanzaa by herself two years ago, reflecting on the meaning of each principle.

“Nobody ever explained [Kwanzaa],” she recalls. “I can say with one hundred per cent certainty that I was never told in my entire school time, from [kindergarten] to grade 12, [about] what Kwanzaa was.”

She plans to celebrate Kwanzaa at home, spending time with her family, sharing food and exchanging handmade gifts. The tradition is to light a candle – held on a kinara – each night.

She sees the holiday’s seven principles as guiding values throughout the year.

“A lot of barriers we face [are] actually because we’re really divided,” she shares. “Kwanzaa is a taking back; it’s a making space for ourselves.”

Thomas credits her mentor Pulchérie Mboussi who founded Victoria’s Issamba Centre for leading the city’s B3 (Black led, Black serving and Black mandated) movement.

Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 by American activist and professor Maulana Karenga.

For more information on 4Roots Collective Foundation, see www.4roots.ca

For more information on the Kwanzaa event, see www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/victorias-first-annual-kwanzaa-bazaar