by Jeremy Hunt
Daily Lobo
Kwanzaa is celebrated every year at UNM, but this year the name of the event was changed to the Winter Roots Festival.
The change was made so the event, which celebrates African-American culture, could include all people, regardless of their religious beliefs, said Scott Carreathers, director of African-American Student Services.
About 300 people attended the event that took place Saturday in the SUB.
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Kwanzaa was started in 1966 by Ron Karenga as a substitute for Christmas and other religious holidays. It has changed over the years to be more of a celebration of African-American culture than an alternative to religious
holidays.
Student George Carter said it was a good thing the festival was expanded beyond Kwanzaa.
"It allowed them to show the diversity of African-American culture," he said. "I was glad they were able to get a collective group of African-American culture."
The event included speeches and performances, including a presentation on Islamic festivals by alumnus Jamaal Martin, an African dance by the group Odigbo Adama, and a presentation on Nigeria by student Hannah Oliha.
Student Antoinette Murphy, vice president of the student group Powerful Movement of Educated Sistas, gave a speech about Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa commemorates the principles of the African-American struggle, including unity, self-determination, faith and creativity, Murphy said.
"Kwanzaa gives honor and celebration to generations from the past and present," she said. "If you don't know where you came from, you don't know yourself."
Murphy said the name of the event is different, but the spirit is the same.
"I still call it Kwanzaa," she said. "It's still a celebration of culture."
Carreathers said the Winter Roots Festival is a special event, because people from outside the University attend it.
"My heart is filled, and I am overwhelmed, for one, because we have so many people here," he said. "This is an event where we get the community involved."
Student Reginald Johnson said he was glad the event drew members of the African-American community.
"I see a lot of familiar faces - older people that I went to church with and a lot of important people in the community," he said. "It's a nice little reunion. It puts your mind and heart at rest."
Johnson performed with UNM's Gospel Choir at the festival.
Murphy said the celebration strengthens the minority group.
"Especially when you have family and community getting together - it's just uplifting to the soul," she said. "Being a small community in Albuquerque, it gives you light at the end of a long, dark tunnel."
At the end of the event, there was a performance by Anthony David, who has been recording soul music for about 10 years.
He said communities need festivals like the Winter Roots.
"It's important for people to celebrate diversity and whatever cultures they're in," he said.
