Traditional Kwanzaa Food Tradition
The Kwanzaa celebrations associte a very deep meaning to Muhindi. Here is a brief on the importance and significance of Muhindi
Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration that begins on December 26th. It was initiated by Dr Maulana Ron Karenga, and it aims at reminding people of their African heritage. It lasts for a week, and the families come togther to relive the past, and to reflect on their values and culture. Songs, dance and stories are a part of the tradition, and most families dress up in the African style, the men in Dashiki and the ladies in their colourful long dresses with beautiful beads.
The festival is also one that relies heavily on symbols. Every night, during the celebrations a candle is lit in the kinara or the candle holder. Each candle signifies something. The red candle stands for the African struggle and bloodshed, the black one stands for their skin colour and the green stands for their faith. The kinara, along with other symbols are placed on the table on the Mkeka or the straw mat. The Muhindi is another such symbol.
What is Muhindi
Muhindi is actually the ear of corn, and it is sometimes refered to as Vibunzi also. Indian corn is also used for the same. The ear of corn is what holds the seeds together, and these seeds will soon become the harvest, which is how these have become a symbol for children. They leave one corn ear for every child in the family. The children are the real future. If there are no kids in the house, then they leave a single ear, which works as a reminder for the African proverb, "it atkes a village to raise a child." A symbol of the children in the community.
The Muhindi (pronounced Moo-Hin-Dee), also represent the Native Americans who are said to be the first cultivators of the land, without whom there would have been no corn or maize. A small token of appreciation and acknoledgement to the anscestors.
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