By Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-660670.mp3
Dallas, TX – Bill Zeeble, KERA reporter: Near the performance stage of a crowded Centennial Hall in Fair Park is an 8 by 12 foot booth festooned with African-pattern mud cloth clothes, handmade wood and leather drums, books, paintings, traditional masks, and wooden sculptures. For the 17th year in a row, Bandele and Akwete Tyehimba have brought their African goods to the Dallas Kwanzaa Fest.
Bandele Tyehimba, owner, Pan African ConnectionWe're constantly working on ideas and fighting others. Kwanzaa is a positive idea. It's a weapon, and anytime I wear something, I feel I'm at war. We're talking a culture war. Our own kids want to wear European clothes. Please
Daddy don't make us wear this African stuff today! If they don't like where they come from they can't love themselves. You got to love what your people have done for humanity.
Akwete Tyehimba, owner, Pan African Connection: We always want to do what we can to make sure people know their history and culture. So 106 what opportunity we have to bring people close to Africa and themselves, we do it. We love it.
Zeeble: From drums to jewelry, Akwete Tyehimba sells items tied to African identity. She says she's not commercializing Kwanzaa.
Tyehimba: It's very hard. It's not like we're selling drugs. We're selling history, culture, education. It's not always the easiest thing to sell. A lot of our people don't always run toward books. It's not the easiest business, but it's a business we love, to educate. For us history is everything, art is everything. You feel so much stronger. You have so much confidence. Your self esteem can be greater if you know who you are.
Zeeble: Akwete's husband Bandele says Kwanzaa's founded not just on building African identity, but honoring some basic principles like self-determination and creativity. One principle each night is celebrated with a candle during the 7 day celebration.
Bandele: The night of unity. We tell them about the need for unity. Or the principle of faith, telling people to have faith in the community. Talk to 90 percent of Black men, their attitude is, Man, I'm just trying to hang on. Man, I'm just trying to maintain. Sounds like they don't have too much faith. We give them principles of having faith.
Zeeble: 17 years ago, when a much smaller Kwanzaa Fest was first launched here, the Tyehimba's worked with Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, who got it all started. He believes Kwanzaa is now a vital part of the city's identity & holiday season.
Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price: We say emancipation, education , enterprise. How do you take care of home? And you can't help others if you can't help yourself.
Not only the symbols but all the days, the Swahili word Kwanzaa, meaning first fruit. You evaluate yourself, you evaluate your community. How have you been responsible and how do you hold yourself accountable to all the principles? Umoja - the 1st day of Kwanzaa. The unity piece. You talk about the Kujichagulia the self determination. Nia what IS the purpose. You talk about Imani in terms of faith, we talk about Ujima and Ujama, cooperative economics. It's about your Kuumba, your works and responsibilities.
Zeeble: For John Wiley Price, the Tyehimba's, and thousands of others in North Texas, it's all now part of a relatively new holiday tradition of Kwanzaa. One Price says complements the season's other religious celebrations, and doesn't compete with any. Kwanzaa starts next Wednesday, the day after Christmas. Bill Zeeble KERA news. Bzeeble@Kera.Org