On the sixth night of Kwanzaa — known as Kuumba, or the day of creativity — Sanford Ferguson’s gift to the Moyo Nguvu Cultural Arts Center was a colorful, acrylic wall mural that he labored on for eight hours on eight straight Sundays.
The mural was unveiled Thursday night at the center before the start of the evening’s Kwanzaa celebration.
“I’ll do what I can with what I have,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson’s gift to the health and education center was sparked by a discussion about children he had with the center’s founder, Dr. Abayomi Obadele Meeks, and by Meeks’ commitment to helping young people by offering health and wellness programs that include Afrikan Martial Arts, Afrikan Drum, Tai Chi Chuan, Shaolin Kung Fu, Yoga and Afrikan and Asiatic spirituality.
“We acknowledge history, culture and beauty in ourselves and in others,” Meeks said. “That’s what Moyo is all about.”
Kwanzaa, Swahili for “first fruit,” was started in the United States in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga.
It has been celebrated in Denver for 20 years by many African-American organizations. But this year marked the first time the Mayo center celebrated in its new home, which opened in September at 5126 E. Colfax Ave.
The seven-day, nonreligious African-American celebration is observed Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 and culminates with a feast on New Year’s Eve.
A wooden Kinara, the centerpiece of the celebration, is a seven-candle candelabrum holding three red, three green and one black candle. Each candle represents one of seven specific Kwanzaa principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
“It’s a way for us to celebrate African heritage, but anyone can and should use these principles in their lives,” said Mary Jackson, president of the board of directors at the center.
At Thursday’s celebration, the crowd of people was treated to poetry, a fashion show, an African martial arts demonstration, music and food.
Pearl Meeks enjoyed the celebration while dressed in an orange, white and gold striped Asoke Nigerian outfit with Buba top and Lapa skirt and topped off with a Gele headwrap.
“Kwanzaa is all about bringing people together,” Meeks said.
Annette Espinoza: 303-954-1655 or aespinoza@denverpost.com
