Menes de Groit talks about the importance of Kwanzaa
By Tangerine Clarke
“Kwanzaa is very important
to me. It helps to reinforce the
importance of community” said
Menes de Groit, master drummer,
and founder of the Shanto
Rhythm group, who has entertained
audiences at the Dec.
26 – Jan. 1, yearly tradition that
celebrates music, food and the
lighting of seven candles.
“Kwanzaa is a simple way
for parents to instill pride and
respect to their children. The
festival also allowed folks to
share their foods, music, art
and stories to our communities.
It would be so better off if we
were practicing the Nguzu Saba
principles on a daily basis, said
the African drummer.
“The people of the Sun collective
in Collaboration with
Medgar Evers student body,
have been celebrating Kwanzaa
for more than 30 years,
with performances, feeding of
the less fortunate, and the disbursement
of toys, clothes and
books, unfortunately because of
the coronavirus pandemic, we
will not have any performances
or feedings this year,” said de
Groit.
The organization, however, is
planning a virtual program that
would be announced soon.
Over the years, de Groit and
the Shanto Rhythms made
Medger Evers College auditorium
its stage with stirring performances,
Caribbean Life, D 8 ECEMBER 25-31, 2020
as part of the overall
celebration that included an
African marketplace and community,
where African-Americans
and others acknowledged
the significance of the festival.
De Groit who is versed in the
principals of Kwanzaa said the
secular holiday that celebrates
African-American culture and
life, was introduced to Guyana
in 1970 by the late Herman B.
Ferguson, an African-American
school teacher and Black Panther
leader.
According to de Groit, a
herbal doctor, owner of Cosmetic
Enterprise Herbal Store
in Brooklyn, and a Caribbean
Life Impact Award recipient,
said Herman was an activist
who was integrated into Guyana
society by becoming a member
of staff of the Ministry of
Education, where he introduced
Kwanzaa, and authored many
instructional books.
De Groit, who was initiated
into the Sangoma tradition during
his trip to South Africa to
trace his roots, and who has
Menes de Groit and the Shanto Rhythm group, pictured at the 50th Anniversary of Guyana
Republic, February 2019. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
shared his knowledge on “Your
health is your welcome’ on
Brooklyn radio show, said, later
in the 90’s the African Cultural
and Development Association,
(ACDA) began promoting Kwanzaa
in Guyana and has continued
celebrating the annual festival
by observing and practicing
the seven principles that teach
the value of community.
Unity, Self-Determination,
Collective Work and Responsibility,
Cooperative Economics,
Purpose, Creativity, and Faith
are the principles acknowledged
with the lighting of Green,
Black, and Red candles, and the
celebration of fruits that include
corn, to signify the richness of
the African-American culture.
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