Kwanzaa is not “the black Christmas”, it does not involve devil worship and it is celebrated by people all over the world, not just Americans.Those are some of the myths about the celebration that two followers, Deidra-Lee Bean and As-Utchamet (aka Nicole Stovell), are trying to erase.Their hope is to raise awareness about the true meaning of the seven-day observance that was created in 1966 to celebrate black heritage and empowerment. It has seven core principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, co-operative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.“We do encounter negative attitudes about Kwanzaa, but more often we encounter ignorance,” said As-Utchamet of the December 26 to January 1 observance. “A lot of people in Bermuda tend to think it is a ‘black Christmas’. It has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas. It is an entirely different thing with its own traditions that are totally distinct from Christmas. I find there are more myths and misconceptions than negativity. That said I have had people say things. Sometimes people think only African Americans can celebrate Kwanzaa. Millions of people around the world celebrate Kwanzaa.”She said she has been celebrating Kwanzaa for about eight years. She began learning more about it when she first felt that the December traditions she had been celebrating since childhood, no longer had as much relevance for her.“I was just at a point in my own personal development where I was looking at releasing old traditions that I was raised with that no longer spoke to me,” she said. “I wanted to adopt new traditions. Kwanzaa was one that immediately spoke to me.”She said one of the fundamental reasons it appealed was because of its pan-African focus. The aim was empowerment of black people all over the world.Ms Bean, who works for the Chewstick Foundation, said her parents had been celebrating Kwanzaa for about six years, but it was only two years ago that she really started looking at it closely.“To me it appealed,” she said. “It is a week of self-reflection and community reflection at a time when the year is about to be new. It is seven days of conscious reflection and trying to live life on purpose. It had the cultural reconnection and personal development that I was looking for.”People who celebrate Kwanzaa light seven candles. Three of the candles are red, one is black and three are green candles. They are placed in a special candle holder called a Kinara.“The red candles represent blood or struggle,” said Ms As-Utchamet. “The black candle represents black people around the world and the three green candles represent hope and future prosperity.”The Kwanzaa table usually includes some kind of fruit or vegetable. In the United States the produce is commonly corn, because that is what is in season. Ms As-Utchamet likes to put out a banana because it is more in season here. Usually there is one piece of fruit or vegetable for each child in the house. Books are also included in the festival to encourage empowerment through learning. Other items include a mat and a special cup. During celebrations the cup is filled with either water or alcohol and is passed around between family and friends so that everyone sips from the same cup to honour ancestors.“Our Kwanzaa table is usually up through the month of December,” said Ms Bean. “Other people might wait until December 26. Some people have it out all year long, but only light during Kwanzaa.”Small gifts are given, usually something useful or empowering such as a book about writing for a writer, or a book about some inspirational figure.“There are about 30 to 40 people, that we know of, who celebrate Kwanzaa in Bermuda,” said Ms As-Utchamet. “The number of people who celebrate Kwanzaa in Bermuda is encouraging. I encourage my friends who celebrate Christmas to still recognise the principles of Kwanzaa. It is not a religious holiday. It is not going to make them any less Christian or Muslim. It is just making them more conscious of their African heritage. People are getting more knowledgeable about the fact that it is just honouring where you came from so you can get to where you are going in a more positive way.”A special Kwanzaa story time and craft takes place at the Youth Library on Church Street tomorrow from 2.30pm to 4pm for children three years old and up. Registration is required. For more information call Marla Smith on 295-0487.To learn more about Kwanzaa in Bermuda e-mail Kwanzaatrain@ymail.com.