Kwanzaa is a week-long African-American holiday observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1, which focuses on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce and self improvement.
This year holds particular significance for African Burial Ground National Monument as the 25th anniversary of rediscovery, the 50th anniversary of Kwanzaa, and the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. The African Burial Ground invites you and your family to visit and take part in the activities.
Tuesday, Dec. 27
Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
10:30 am: Performance by Cumbe Dance
11am: Opening remarks on Kwanzaa by Cyril Innis, Jr. 12 Noon: Performance by Worm Bass
2pm: African Naming Ceremony by Queen Mother Dr. Delois Blakely
Wednesday, Dec. 28
Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility
Screenings throughout the day of Our Time at Last and A Rugrats Kwanzaa.
12 Noon: Performance by Fusha Dance
Thursday, Dec. 29
Ujamaa – Cooperative economics
Noon: Performance by Arthur Toombs
5pm: Performance by Adlib Steel Orchestra with a self-guided tour of 290 Broadway commemorative art
6:30 pm: Performance by Marsha Thompson followed by:
Past, Present & Future: The 25th Anniversary of Rediscovery,
a panel discussion featuring:
• Dr. Fatimah Jackson, director of the W. Montague Cobb Research Laboratory at Howard University
• Dr. Sherrill Wilson, Urban Anthropologist
• Sharon Wilkins, deputy borough historian of Manhattan and a member of the Harlem African Burial Ground Task Force
• Moderated by Michael H. Frazier, Historian, African Burial Ground
Concluding with a ribbon cutting and walkthrough of African Burial Ground National Monument Research Library.
Friday, Dec. 30
Nia – Purpose
10:30am: Performance by Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble
11:30am: Spoken Word & Poetry by Be The Poet
12:15pm: Spoken Word & Poetry by The Verbal Artisan
1:00pm: Performance by Ayoinmotion
2:00pm: Memory, History, and Art: Tribute to Houston Conwill and The New Ring Shout by Dr. Patricia Leonard
3:00pm: Drumming by Songhai Djeli
Plan Your Visit
Kwanzaa will take place at African Burial Ground National Monument, located on the first floor of 290 Broadway in lower Manhattan, two blocks north of City Hall.
African Burial Ground National Monument visitor center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm. The memorial is currently closed for the winter season. It will reopen April 1, 2017. The visitor center and memorial are closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
All events are free and open to the public, however space is limited. Schedule subject to change.
