Compiled by Azizi Powell
[Statistics updated for December 31, 2017 at 11:53 AM]
This pancocojams post provides information about the meaning of the blog name "pancocojams" and provides statistical information about this blog.
Publishing these links in one post makes it easier for me- and hopefully you - to enjoy these posts again, and also provides an opportunity for you to check out some posts that you might have missed.
Explanation of the name "pancocojams":
"Pancocojams" is an expansion of the title that I coined* for my previous (now inactive) cultural website- "cocojams". "pancocojams" means "Black cultures around the world"
"pan" = worldwide
"coco" = chocolate (= Black people)
"jams" = music (expanded meaning - "cultures")
*It was only much later that I found out that "cocojams" was a previously existing word.
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Pancocojams Overall Statistics
A total of 2639 posts have been published on pancocojams since I launched this voluntary blog on August 29, 2011. (including this post).
Total number of blog posts in 2017 [as of December 17, 2017] - 438 (including this post).
Total number of viewer hits from August 20, 2011 to December 21, 2017 at 3:25 PM EST – 5,495,328
UPDATE: [Total number of viewer hits from August 20, 2011 to December 31, 2017 at 11:53 AM - 5,538,251]
UPDATE #2: [Total number of viewer hits from August 20, 2011 to January 2, 2018 at 9:02 AM- 5,542,229]
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Top Ten Pancocojams Viewer Nations Worldwide (based on viewing statistics from August 29, 2011 to December 21, 2017
1. United States
2. United Kingdom
3. Canada
4. Russia
5. France
6. Germany
7. Kenya
8. Australia
9. Ukraine
10. Netherlands
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THE TEN MOST OFTEN VIEWED PANCOCOJAMS POSTS (August 29, 2011- December 21, 2017 at 1:30 PM EST )
Here’s a list (with hyperlinks) of the all time top ten pancocojams posts since this blog began in August 2011 (based on viewer hits). ["Viewer hits" statistics don't include my page views.]
Notice that some of these posts have large increases in total views from December 21, 2017 to December 31, 2017, changing their position on this list that was noted on 12/21/2017.
This may reflect the large increase in numbers of total hits for this blog in that time period. However, it's also possible that I documented the wrong total view numbers as of December 21, 2017.
1. What "Hit The Quan" REALLY Means
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/08/what-hit-quan-really-means.html
published: Aug 1, 2015
total views to date: 276,621
[total views update 12/31/2017: 295,570]
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2. The Origins And Meanings Of "Shante You Stay" & "Sashay Away"
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-origins-and-meanings-of-shante-you.html
published: Apr 8, 2014
total views to date: 117,938
[total views update 12/31/2017: 150,943
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3. How "Bye Felicia" Became A Popular Catchphrase
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/05/how-bye-felicia-became-popular.html
published: May 16, 2014
total views to date: 43,013
[total views update 12/31/2017: 67,723
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4. The Right Rhyming Pattern For Shabooya Roll Call Verses
published: http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/the-right-rhyming-pattern-for-shabooya.html
published: January 30, 2012
total views to date: 23,596
[total views update 12/31/2017: 50,337]
Note that there also is a 2nd published copy of this same post [without visitor comments] that was published on 6/5/2016. I re-published that post because I couldn't find it using the pancocojams internal search engine. I realize now that my mistake was searching for that post using the title "The Right Rhyming Pattern For Shabooya Roll Call" without adding the last word "Verses" in that title.
The total number of views for The Right Rhyming Pattern For Shabooya Roll Call (2nd copy) on December 31, 2017 is 4,150.
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5. 50 Most Common African American Surnames (Allegheny County, Pennsylvania (1992-2001)
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/05/50-most-common-african-american.html
published: May 24, 2015
total views to date: 27,723
[total views update 12/31/2017: 45,573]
This post was #4 on this list as of December 21, 2017
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6. Stand Battles & The Changing Meaning Of "Majorette"
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/stand-battles-changing-meaning-of.html
published: Apr 11, 2014
total views to date: 15,974
[total views update 12/31/2017: 41,794
This post was #8 as of December 21, 2017.
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7. The History & Meaning Of The Red, Black, And Green Flag
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-history-meaning-of-red-black-and.html
published: Jan 21, 2014
total views to date: 13,309
[total views update 12/31/2017: 34,324]
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8. What Do "Juju On That Beat" And "TZ Anthem" Mean?
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-history-meaning-of-red-black-and.html
published: Oct 25, 2016
total views to date: 19,873
[total views update 12/31/2017: 27,992]
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9. Muddy Waters - "Mannish Boy" (information, sound file, comments)
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/07/muddy-waters-mannish-boys-information.html
published: Jul 29, 2015
total views to date: 18,264
[total views update 12/31/2017: 24,878]
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10. The REAL Author of The Poem "Hey Black Child"
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/10/useni-eugene-perkins-hey-black-child.html
published: October 19, 2015
total views to date: 14,591
[total views update 12/31/2017: 24,146]
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TOP TEN PANCOCOJAMS POSTS IN 2017
Here’s a list (with hyperlinks) of the top ten pancocojams posts that were published January 1 to December 21, 2017 (based on viewer hits). ["Viewer hits" statistics don't include my page views.]
1. Mona Haydar - "Hijabi" (Wrap my Hijab) video, lyrics & lyric analysis
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/04/mona-haydar-hijabi-wrap-my-hijab-video.html
published: , April 3, 2017
total views to date: 6912
[total views update 12/31/2017: 6,955]
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2. What "Nubian Queen" And "Nubian Princess" Mean In The USA & In Parts Of Africa
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-expanded-uses-of-nubian-queen-and.html
published: February 16, 2017
total views to date: 6483
[total views update 12/31/2017: 6,689]
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3. The Meanings Of "Boujee", "Dab", "Dab Of Ranch", "JuJu On The Beat" & Some Other African American Vernacular English Terms From Viral Hip Hop Dance Songs
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/07/the-meanings-of-boujee-dab-dab-of-ranch.html
published: July 10, 2017
total views to date: 4,845
[total views update 12/31/2017: 5,448]
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4. Protest Chants From The Women's March On Washington & From Sister Marches (January 21, 2017)
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/12/lagos-city-chorale-ibiki-nigerian-folk.html
published: January 23, 2017
total views to date: 1,896
[total views update 12/31/2017: 1,920]
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5. Lagos City Chorale - "Ibiki" (A Nigerian Folk Song/Christmas Carol)
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/12/lagos-city-chorale-ibiki-nigerian-folk.html
published: December 22, 2016
total views to date: 1,734
[total views update 12/31/2017: 1,800]
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6. Don't Let My [Daughter, Son] Go (Names of Rival Sororities Or Fraternities) Chants
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/03/dont-let-my-daughter-son-go-names-of.html
published: March 11, 2017
total views to date: 1,367
[total views update 12/31/2017: 1,559]
Note: This post was #7 on this list on December 21, 2017.
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7. Two Videos Of "Awesome God" By Proclaim, A Ugandan Children's Music Ministry (with lyrics & comments)
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/03/two-videos-of-awesome-god-by-proclaim.html
published: March 11, 2017
total views to date: 1,435
[total views update 12/31/2017: 1,495]
Note: This post was #6 on this list on December 21, 2017.
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8. English Translations For Non-English Words In Alpha Blondy's Reggae Song "Jerusalem"
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/05/english-translations-for-non-english.html
published: May 22, 2017
total views to date: 1,328
[total views update 12/31/2017: 1,439]
Note: This post was #9 on this list on December 21, 2017.
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9. What "This Song Makes Me Wanna ___" Means In The Discussion Thread For The Hip Hop Dance Song "Rolex"
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/07/what-this-song-makes-me-wanna-mean-in.html
published: July 8, 2017
total views to date: 1,348
[total views update 12/31/2017: 1,427]
Note: This post was #8 on this list on December 21, 2017.]
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10. Examples Of Stomp & Shake Cheerleading Cheers, Part I (A - H)
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/06/examples-of-stomp-shake-cheerleading.html
published: June 29, 2017
total views to date: 1,057
[total views update 12/31/2017: 1,088]
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UPDATE: The post: Documenting When People Sung Extra Lyrics For "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" & What Extra Lyrics They Sang http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2017/12/documenting-when-people-sung-extra.html (published on December 20, 2017) turned out to be the #10 post for 2017.
The total # of views as of 12/31/2017 at 12:23 PM: 1,086.
The total # of views as of 1/1/2018 at 8:57 AM: 1,147.
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS FROM FOUR OF THESE TOP 10 VIEWER HIT PANCOCOJAMS POSTS FOR 2017
Video #1 [From #1 in this list]
Hijabi by Mona Haydar (Wrap my Hijab)
mona haydar, Published on Mar 27, 2017
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Video #2: [From #5 in this list]
Christmas in Nigeria: Lagos City Chorale perform "Ibike" (Kalabari)
Africana Digital Ethnography Project, Published on Jun 26, 2013
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Video #3 [From #6 in this list]
Proclaim - Awesome God
PROCLAIM MKC Published on Oct 27, 2015
Proclaim worship Experience 2014 - Awesome God
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Video #4: [From #9 in this list]
ALPHA BLONDY - JERUSALEM live
Marvin Mulenga, Published on Jul 18, 2012
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Singing Extra Lyrics For "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer"
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest revision- December 14, 2021
This pancocojams post showcases five video examples of add on lyrics for the Christmas song "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer".
Examples of add on lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" are also included in this post along with demographics (when, where) this version of this song came from.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Johnny Marks, the composer of the standard lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" in 1949. Also, thanks to the unknown composers of the add on lyrics for this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of this post on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/12/more-examples-of-rudolph-red-nosed.html for a 2021 pancocojams post entitled "More Examples Of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" (with extra lyrics)".
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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer -with extra verse Caroling for Charity!!!
Candace McGuire, Published on Dec 22, 2009
Carolling for charity December 09
-snip-
I think the boy said "in his underpants" after the line "Santa came to say"
A commenter on one of the straightdope.com discussion threads wrote that in Canada "in his underwear" was a common add on after the line "Santa came to say".
Can you tell what other add on words the boy sang in this version of "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer"?
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Example #2: Like a Light Bulb!" 1993
dgfehling, Published on Sep 12, 2011
The kids singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on Christmas Eve 1993.
-snip-
Note the line: “You’ll go down in history “Like Beethoven"
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Example #3: Rudolph the red nose reindeer.MP4
Andi Sumartono, Published on Dec 24, 2011
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
had a very shiny nose (like a lollipop)
And if you ever saw him, (saw him)
you would even say it glows. (like a light bulb)
All of the other reindeer's (reindeer's)
used to laugh and call him names. (like Pinocchio)
They never let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
join in any reindeer games. (like monopoly)
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer's loved him (loved him)
as they shouted out with glee, (yippee)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!
-snip-
In this first line of this song, for some reason these lyrics had “5x” after the name Rudolph. [?]
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Example #4: RUDLOPH the RED NOSED REINDEER - Alternative and fun lyrics. Christmas Songs.
Nursery Rhymes TV, Published on Nov 30, 2014
RUDOLPH the RED NOSED REINDEER- alternative lyrics!!!
Made in the UK. Quality animation & music.
-snip-
Notice that there's no add on words after "You'll go down in history".
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Example #5:[TSVN] Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Song by the Simpson family
The Simpson Song. Published on Apr 18, 2016
Episode: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (Season 1 Episode 1)
Song/Track: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Artist/Group: Johnny Marks
-snip-
Here's a transcription of this segment from
https://mormonhub.com/forums/topic/58478-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-add-on-lyrics/
Jamie123
Location: UK
Posted December 16, 2015
"If I remember rightly, the Simpsons' "add-ons" were:
...say It glowed (Bart: "Like a Light Bulb!" Homer: "Bart!!")
...reindeer games (Bart: "Like Strip Poker!" Homer: "I'm warning you!")
...Santa game to say (Marge: "Take it away Homie!" Homer (sings solo): "Rudolph get your nose over here, so you can guide my sleigh to...er...day" Patty and Selma: "Groan!")
...down in history (Bart: "Like Attila the Hu.....uuuugh". Homer starts strangling him.)
My daughter and I always sing "Attila the Hun" at the end, though my wife always tries to drown us out with "George Washington".
(I think "Attila the Hun" scans better)"
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SUMMARY STATEMENTS ABOUT THE CUSTOM OF SINGING EXTRA LYRICS FOR RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER
Somewhat Standardized Lyrics
Extra lyrics that are sung or shouted while singing the lyrics to the 1949 song "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" are somewhat standardized, but not necessarily according to regional or community locations. I'm using the term "somewhat standardized" because there are a number of different words that are sung after particular lines of "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" instead of the more widely used call backs.
Continuity & Change
These extra lyrics-which are also referred to as "call backs", "add ons", "echos" etc.-may remain the same or may change within a given geographic location and within the same (or different) period/s.
of time.
Early Dates For This Custom (1950s through 1970s)
The earliest date that I've found online for the custom of adding extra lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" is the late 1950, Chicago. However, that commenter's example [given in two different straightdope.com discussions] is the only online example from 1950s that I've found as of this pancocojams blog post's publication date.
Also, I've only come across one online example of this custom from the 1960s [late 60s, early 70s Virginia]. The very small sampling of examples from the 1950s and 1960s may be because of the smaller number of people who grew up in those decades who post on internet social media forums. That said, I grew up in the 1950s (in Atlantic City, New Jersey) and as I note in Excerpt #1 below, I didn't hear any examples of extra words that are sung with the standard "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer lyrics" until 1997 (in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).
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Later Examples And Listing The Nations Where People Add Extra Words For "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer"
As documented in this pancocojams post, there are a large number of online examples of extra lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" from the United States in the 1970s on.
I've also come across a few examples of the extra lyric versions of this Christmas song from the Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. There's also an example cited below from Finland, albeit that it's from an international school attended by students from the United States.
I'm curious whether add on lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" are sung elsewhere, and if so, what add on lyrics are sung.
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COMMENTS THAT MENTION THE DECADES WHEN THE ADD ON LYRICS "RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER" WERE SUNG
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
These excerpts are given in chronological order with the oldest comments from each website given first. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only. Multiple comments within an excerpt are also numbered and I've added italics to highlight the decade/s mentioned in these comments.
Excerpt #1:
From https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=87050
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kid's Parodies
From: Azizi
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 08:25 AM
The first time I heard children add a word or phrase to the lines of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer was somewhere around 1997 {in Pittsburgh, Penn}. I've heard other {African American} children singing it since then. I don't remember singing Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer this way when I was growing up in the 1950s.
Here's the version that I remember kids's singing:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose (like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it (saw it)
You would even say it glowed (like a flashlight)
All of the other reindeer (reindeer)
Used to laugh and call him names (like Pinocchio)
They never let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
Join in any reindeer games (like Monopoly)
Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say (What?!)
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then how the reindeer loved him (loved him)
And they shouted out with glee (Hurrah!)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
You'll go down in history...(like Columbus)
-snip-
About two years ago, [2003] I heard some {Black} children say "You'll go down in history...(like Martin Luther King}".
-snip-
For the record, the children I heard singing the first version that I gave were also Black.
Note that I no longer consider "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" songs with extra lyrics to be parodies.
Here's the only other online comment that I've found that gives "Martin Luther King Jr" as the response after the "You'll go down in history" line of the "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" song:
From http://www.landthieves.com/board/showthread.php?47530-Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-Goes-Down-in-History-Like
"DECEMBER 19TH, 2012
smot
We always said Martin Luther King Jr, but I wasn't raised in a racist household like some of you"
****
WARNING: The straightdope.com discussions that are linked in this pancocojams post include some comments that contain profanity or profanity abbreviations. However, none of those examples are featured in this pancocojams post.
Excerpt #2:
From http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-496823.html Full Version:Who came up with "extra" lyrics of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Pancocojams Note:
These quotes from straightdope.com are all of the comments from those discussions about the "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" song that include dates. These comments are from much longer discussion threads.
1. 12-10-2008, 12:47 AM
Bryan Ekers
Location: Montreal, QC
First time I heard them was Bart shouting them out at the end of the first episode of The Simpsons, back in '89. His response to the last line ("You'll go down in history!" / "Like Attila the Hun") angered Homer into strangle-mode.
**
2. 12-10-2008, 10:13 AM
jayjay
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sateryn76
Wow...we'd have been in SO much trouble if we were kids today with that kind of repertoire..
**
3. Old 12-10-2008, 01:44 PM
BurnMeUp
Location: Redmond, WA USA
They were in place when I was a kid back in the 80's and I am sure they were from waaaay before that.
On a side note, if you rerally want to annoy some people, next time you're caroling, add in those verses. Then, every song after that, after the last verse add "Like a lightbulb!" We did that one year much to the chagrin of many people.
"sleeeep in heavenly peeeace.... LIKE A LIGHTBULB!"
**
4. 12-11-2008, 09:40 AM
D. Fenestrator
I learned the song as "Randolph the bald-headed cowboy," and after he shot Santa's wife he went down in history, but our version of the song didn't discuss how. Our teachers hated that song and forbade us from singing it, which of course made it even more popular among us kids.
I have heard the original version of Rudolph, the one that begins with the names of the reindeer, and it doesn't include the "like a light bulb" bits. I would't be too surprised if a newer version including them does exist, but the original was done straight. The "light bulb" version that I learned as a kid in the '70s was definitely meant to be irreverent and as subversive as one can get in grade school.
If we had ruined a school concert by singing the "light bulb" lyrics, we would have been in deep trouble, like we were when we sang the "mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school" song on the school bus...
****
Excerpt #3:
From https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=635774 [Rudolph] You'll go down in history (like ???)
1. Dr. Righteous
12-22-2011, 11:44 AM
Mine are different than others have posted thus far. Just quoting the differences:
Used to laugh and call him names (like Dumbo)
...
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
...
As they shouted out with glee (hoo-ray!)
...
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!" (like Paul Revere)
1970's Long Island [New York], if anyone cares.
**
2. FrancisCastle
12-22-2011, 05:06 PM
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
---
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!" (like Lincoln)
Wisconsin, late 80s
**
3. 12-21-2011, 05:45 PM
Larry Mudd
Location: Ass end of Alberta
For us it was "Like Linda Lovelace." (c. 1977 - 1980)
**
4. IvoryTowerDenizen
12-21-2011, 05:51 PM
Columbus. Always was Columbus (mid 1970s).
Here are the added lines:
Reindeer
Like a lightbulb
Saw it
Like Donner
Like Pinocchio
Rudolph
Like Monopoly
Loved him
With glee!
Reindeer
Like Columbus!
**
5. Lord Il Palazzo
12-21-2011, 06:20 PM
I always heard George Washington referenced growing up in the 90's in a suburb of Washington DC. I also always hated the added lines for some reason. They just don't fit with the rest of the song and they feel like added commentary rather than part of the song's narrative.Here's what drives me crazy about this song:
Opening line: You know Dancer and Prancer and...."
And then: But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?"
Well, if he's the most famous, then Rudolph is the one we'd recall more than the others, right?I'd never realized that, but it's now going to bug the heck out of me every time I hear the song. Thanks for that.
**
6. 12-21-2011, 08:21 PM
jayjay Location: Central Pennsylvania
Pinocchio and Columbus (mid-70s, central PA)
**
https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=635774&page=2
7. auRa
12-22-2011, 06:40 AM
To be honest, I'm a little surprised at all the "never heard of it" answers coming from Americans. I'm just discussing this with a Finnish friend of mine. In the early-to-mid-90's, she was at the English School in Helsinki, I was at the International School, and we both definitely sang Rudolph with the add-ons. It just seems funny that we'd know about this in northern Europe and someone in the States would have managed to miss it. :D
(She had "George Washington", I had "Columbus". Although I think I heard "Napoleon" once.)
**
8. Old 12-22-2011, 09:04 AM
LaurenIpsum
Location: Buffalo, NY
In my upstate NY elementary school in the 80s, it was always "Like George Washington." I never heard a version with Columbus or any other name.
**
9. 12-22-2011, 09:12 AM
tim-n-va
I'm more in favor of "Randolf the Bow-legged Cowboy" with the poker games and "with your gun so bright won't you shoot my wife tonight".
ETA: Georger Washington and Dumbo in VA [Virginia] in the late 60s and early 70s.
**
10. Old 12-22-2011, 10:22 AM
Wolverine
Location: Not Beijing
Rudolph the red nosed reindeer (reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it (saw it)
You would even say it glows (like a lightbulb)
All of the other reindeer (reindeer)
Used to laugh and call him names (like Pinocchio)
They never let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
Join in any reindeer games (like monopoly)
Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say,
"Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight"
Then all of the other reindeer loved him (loved him)
As they shouted out with glee (like toothpase)
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!" (like George Washington)
Differences in RED, non-controversial words in GREEN
I learned it this way in the 80s in Michigan.
-snip-
Sorry, all of the words are in black in this pancocojams post :o)
**
11. 12-22-2011, 11:12 AM
Jas09
Location: St. Louis, MO
Like George Washington. And the shouts of glee are to be followed by "yippee!". The game is Monopoly, and Donner is not mentioned except in the intro.
Midwest, Mid-80s.
**
12. 12-22-2011, 11:20 AM
ZipperJJ
Location: Northeast Ohio
Let me blow everyone's minds and say that in my little midwestern elementary school in the 80s we said "Like the Flinstones!" True story!
Second to that is George Washington. Never heard "Columbus."
**
13. 12-22-2011, 11:44 AM
Dr. Righteous
Location: overlooking ObamaNYC
Mine are different than others have posted thus far. Just quoting the differences:
Used to laugh and call him names (like Dumbo)
...
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
As they shouted out with glee (hoo-ray!)
...
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!" (like Paul Revere)
1970's Long Island, if anyone cares.
**
14. 12-22-2011, 01:38 PM
HenryGale
Pinocchio and Columbus here, born in '79, grew up in the NW 'burbs of Chicago.
Except, we added a syllable to Columbus to match Pinocchio... "Like Co-lum-bi-us!"
**
15. 12-22-2011, 03:20 PM
Jophiel
Location: Chicago suburbia
Columbus (Chicago c.1978 onward)
**
16. Old 12-22-2011, 05:06 PM
FrancisCastle
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
---
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!" (like Lincoln)
Wisconsin, late 80s
**
17. Old 12-22-2011, 10:53 PM
Lamia
Quote:
...What I remember from when I was a kid (late '80s in the Southeast) was:
...shouted out with glee (Whoopee! or Yippee!)
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you'll go down in history!" (Like toothpaste!)
I figured this was because toothpaste is a famous invention, but that it was also a joke because you don't learn about toothpaste in history. Until today I don't think I've ever even heard of using a famous historic person's name at that point, although it makes a lot more sense that way.
Oh, the insult I learned was funny face, and the reindeer game was football.
-snip-
As some commenters mentioned on this discussion thread or others, the reason for the "toothpaste" response after the line "shouted out with glee" is that in the 1970s there was a brand of toothpaste called Gleem.
**
18. 12-23-2011, 09:41 AM
Pai325
Chicago area, late 50s
https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=635774&page=3
19. 12-23-2011, 12:51 PM
Bearflag70
Location: Sacramento, CA
call him names > like Pinoccio
games > like Monopoly
glee > HOO-RAY!
history > like Columbus
1970s SoCal
[...]
****
Excerpt #4:
From http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-710870.html Rudolph, you'll go down in history (like ___)
1. Skywatcher
12-19-2013, 11:47 AM
Columbus
New Orleans 'burbs, mid-80s.
**
2. Miller
12-19-2013, 12:45 PM
Always heard "Like Lincoln" when I was growing up. This would be California in the 1980s.
**
3. smaje1
12-19-2013, 01:12 PM
I love that there are users on this board that have no idea what we're talking about here.
Chicago, grew up in the 80s:
Called him names: Like Pinocchio
Reindeer games: Like Monopoly
History: Like George Washington
**
4. Ulf the Unwashed
12-19-2013, 01:19 PM
Chicago, seventies.
Like Bobby Orr...
**
5. Jas09
12-19-2013, 01:33 PM
Chicago, grew up in the 80s:
Called him names: Like Pinocchio
Reindeer games: Like Monopoly
History: Like George WashingtonSame on all counts, but replace Chicago with St. Louis.
**
6. Miller
12-19-2013, 02:05 PM
Always heard "Like Lincoln" when I was growing up. This would be California in the 1980s.
To round out the other options:
...call him names ("Like Dumbo!")
...reindeer games ("Like football!")
Also, on "Santa came to say," a hearty "Ho Ho Ho!" and "...as they shouted out with glee," was followed by "Yippee!" The toothpaste reference would have been lost on us, I'm afraid - we never had that brand around here.
**
7. kaylasdad99
12-19-2013, 01:46 PM
Born in NW Indiana.
"Used to laugh and call him names (like Pinocchio!)"
"Join in any reindeer games (like Monopoly!)"
"You'll go down in history (like Columbus!)"
I love that there are users on this board that have no idea what we're talking about here.
Chicago, grew up in the 80s:
**
8. The Universe Lashes Out
12-19-2013, 02:25 PM
Lightbulb, Pinocchio, Monopoly, George Washington. I grew up in Alabama in the mid-1980's. Although when I have kids, I'm gonna teach them to say Linda Lovelace, thanks Czarcasm.
**
9. E. Thorp
12-20-2013, 05:13 PM
Like Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson...and Paul Reveeeeeeere...
(southern Ohio, 70s)
**
10. Pai325
12-19-2013, 05:47 PM
George Washington. Chicago in the 50s.
**
11. Kimble
12-19-2013, 05:59 PM
lightbulb, Pinocchio, Monopoly, ho ho ho, whoopee (or yippee), George Washington
Knoxville TN, late 1970s
**
12. IvoryTowerDenizen
12-19-2013, 06:05 PM
Columbus. Western New York, mid 1970-1980s.
Here's all of the additions I learned:
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose (Like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it (Saw it)
...
All of the other reindeer (Like Blitzen)
Use to laugh and call him names (like pichnoccio)
They wouldn't let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
Join in any reindeer games (like monopoly)
.....
Then all the reindeer loved him (loved him)
And they shouted out with glee (WITH GLEE)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
You'll go down in History (like Columbus)
**
13. Ferret Herder
12-19-2013, 07:13 PM
Alexander Graham Bell. Wisconsin, late 70s.
**
14. fisha
12-19-2013, 09:10 PM
Mn, Jackie Gleason, 1970's.
Never heard of any of the others….
-snip-
Mn = Minnesota
**
15. Qwisp
12-19-2013, 10:48 PM
"Like a lightbulb" this was in the Chicagoland suburbs in the mid nineties.
**
16. E. Thorp
12-20-2013, 05:13 PM
Like Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson...and Paul Reveeeeeeere...
(southern Ohio, 70s)
**
17. Ferret Herder
12-19-2013, 07:13 PM
Alexander Graham Bell. Wisconsin, late 70s.
**
18. Tess Trueheart
12-20-2013, 07:58 PM
Like a lightbulb
Like Pinocchio
Like Monopoly
Ho ho ho
Yippee!
Like Columbus
Texas in the 90s
**
19. expectopatronum
12-22-2013, 11:57 AM
like a lightbulb
like a flashlight
like pinocchio
like monopoly
ho ho ho
like toothpaste
like george washington
central florida, late 80s early 90s.
**
20. BigDadWolf
12-22-2013, 08:54 PM
Dallas - mid 70s - we sang it like this to be best of my recollection:
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose (like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it (saw it)
You would even say it glows (like a light bulb)
All of the other reindeer (Like Dasher)
Use to laugh and call him names (like pichnoccio)
They wouldn't let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
Then one snowy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say (Ho Ho Ho)
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide me sleigh tonight?
Then all the reindeer loved him (loved him)
And they shouted out with glee (Whoopeee!)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
You'll go down in History (like the Indians)
Anyone else ever use "like the Indians" for going down in history?
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Latest revision- December 14, 2021
This pancocojams post showcases five video examples of add on lyrics for the Christmas song "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer".
Examples of add on lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" are also included in this post along with demographics (when, where) this version of this song came from.
The content of this post is presented for folkloric, cultural, and entertainment purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Johnny Marks, the composer of the standard lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" in 1949. Also, thanks to the unknown composers of the add on lyrics for this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of this post on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/12/more-examples-of-rudolph-red-nosed.html for a 2021 pancocojams post entitled "More Examples Of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" (with extra lyrics)".
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer -with extra verse Caroling for Charity!!!
Candace McGuire, Published on Dec 22, 2009
Carolling for charity December 09
-snip-
I think the boy said "in his underpants" after the line "Santa came to say"
A commenter on one of the straightdope.com discussion threads wrote that in Canada "in his underwear" was a common add on after the line "Santa came to say".
Can you tell what other add on words the boy sang in this version of "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer"?
**
Example #2: Like a Light Bulb!" 1993
dgfehling, Published on Sep 12, 2011
The kids singing "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on Christmas Eve 1993.
-snip-
Note the line: “You’ll go down in history “Like Beethoven"
****
Example #3: Rudolph the red nose reindeer.MP4
Andi Sumartono, Published on Dec 24, 2011
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
had a very shiny nose (like a lollipop)
And if you ever saw him, (saw him)
you would even say it glows. (like a light bulb)
All of the other reindeer's (reindeer's)
used to laugh and call him names. (like Pinocchio)
They never let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
join in any reindeer games. (like monopoly)
Then one foggy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say:
"Rudolph with your nose so bright,
won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"
Then all the reindeer's loved him (loved him)
as they shouted out with glee, (yippee)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!
-snip-
In this first line of this song, for some reason these lyrics had “5x” after the name Rudolph. [?]
****
Example #4: RUDLOPH the RED NOSED REINDEER - Alternative and fun lyrics. Christmas Songs.
Nursery Rhymes TV, Published on Nov 30, 2014
RUDOLPH the RED NOSED REINDEER- alternative lyrics!!!
Made in the UK. Quality animation & music.
-snip-
Notice that there's no add on words after "You'll go down in history".
****
Example #5:[TSVN] Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Song by the Simpson family
The Simpson Song. Published on Apr 18, 2016
Episode: Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire (Season 1 Episode 1)
Song/Track: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Artist/Group: Johnny Marks
-snip-
Here's a transcription of this segment from
https://mormonhub.com/forums/topic/58478-rudolph-the-red-nosed-reindeer-add-on-lyrics/
Jamie123
Location: UK
Posted December 16, 2015
"If I remember rightly, the Simpsons' "add-ons" were:
...say It glowed (Bart: "Like a Light Bulb!" Homer: "Bart!!")
...reindeer games (Bart: "Like Strip Poker!" Homer: "I'm warning you!")
...Santa game to say (Marge: "Take it away Homie!" Homer (sings solo): "Rudolph get your nose over here, so you can guide my sleigh to...er...day" Patty and Selma: "Groan!")
...down in history (Bart: "Like Attila the Hu.....uuuugh". Homer starts strangling him.)
My daughter and I always sing "Attila the Hun" at the end, though my wife always tries to drown us out with "George Washington".
(I think "Attila the Hun" scans better)"
****
SUMMARY STATEMENTS ABOUT THE CUSTOM OF SINGING EXTRA LYRICS FOR RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER
Somewhat Standardized Lyrics
Extra lyrics that are sung or shouted while singing the lyrics to the 1949 song "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" are somewhat standardized, but not necessarily according to regional or community locations. I'm using the term "somewhat standardized" because there are a number of different words that are sung after particular lines of "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" instead of the more widely used call backs.
Continuity & Change
These extra lyrics-which are also referred to as "call backs", "add ons", "echos" etc.-may remain the same or may change within a given geographic location and within the same (or different) period/s.
of time.
Early Dates For This Custom (1950s through 1970s)
The earliest date that I've found online for the custom of adding extra lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" is the late 1950, Chicago. However, that commenter's example [given in two different straightdope.com discussions] is the only online example from 1950s that I've found as of this pancocojams blog post's publication date.
Also, I've only come across one online example of this custom from the 1960s [late 60s, early 70s Virginia]. The very small sampling of examples from the 1950s and 1960s may be because of the smaller number of people who grew up in those decades who post on internet social media forums. That said, I grew up in the 1950s (in Atlantic City, New Jersey) and as I note in Excerpt #1 below, I didn't hear any examples of extra words that are sung with the standard "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer lyrics" until 1997 (in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania).
****
Later Examples And Listing The Nations Where People Add Extra Words For "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer"
As documented in this pancocojams post, there are a large number of online examples of extra lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" from the United States in the 1970s on.
I've also come across a few examples of the extra lyric versions of this Christmas song from the Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. There's also an example cited below from Finland, albeit that it's from an international school attended by students from the United States.
I'm curious whether add on lyrics for "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" are sung elsewhere, and if so, what add on lyrics are sung.
****
COMMENTS THAT MENTION THE DECADES WHEN THE ADD ON LYRICS "RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER" WERE SUNG
Pancocojams Editor's Note:
These excerpts are given in chronological order with the oldest comments from each website given first. Numbers are assigned for referencing purposes only. Multiple comments within an excerpt are also numbered and I've added italics to highlight the decade/s mentioned in these comments.
Excerpt #1:
From https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=87050
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Kid's Parodies
From: Azizi
Date: 08 Dec 05 - 08:25 AM
The first time I heard children add a word or phrase to the lines of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer was somewhere around 1997 {in Pittsburgh, Penn}. I've heard other {African American} children singing it since then. I don't remember singing Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer this way when I was growing up in the 1950s.
Here's the version that I remember kids's singing:
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose (like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it (saw it)
You would even say it glowed (like a flashlight)
All of the other reindeer (reindeer)
Used to laugh and call him names (like Pinocchio)
They never let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
Join in any reindeer games (like Monopoly)
Then one foggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say (What?!)
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide my sleigh tonight?
Then how the reindeer loved him (loved him)
And they shouted out with glee (Hurrah!)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
You'll go down in history...(like Columbus)
-snip-
About two years ago, [2003] I heard some {Black} children say "You'll go down in history...(like Martin Luther King}".
-snip-
For the record, the children I heard singing the first version that I gave were also Black.
Note that I no longer consider "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" songs with extra lyrics to be parodies.
Here's the only other online comment that I've found that gives "Martin Luther King Jr" as the response after the "You'll go down in history" line of the "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" song:
From http://www.landthieves.com/board/showthread.php?47530-Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer-Goes-Down-in-History-Like
"DECEMBER 19TH, 2012
smot
We always said Martin Luther King Jr, but I wasn't raised in a racist household like some of you"
****
WARNING: The straightdope.com discussions that are linked in this pancocojams post include some comments that contain profanity or profanity abbreviations. However, none of those examples are featured in this pancocojams post.
Excerpt #2:
From http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-496823.html Full Version:Who came up with "extra" lyrics of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer?
Pancocojams Note:
These quotes from straightdope.com are all of the comments from those discussions about the "Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer" song that include dates. These comments are from much longer discussion threads.
1. 12-10-2008, 12:47 AM
Bryan Ekers
Location: Montreal, QC
First time I heard them was Bart shouting them out at the end of the first episode of The Simpsons, back in '89. His response to the last line ("You'll go down in history!" / "Like Attila the Hun") angered Homer into strangle-mode.
**
2. 12-10-2008, 10:13 AM
jayjay
Location: Central Pennsylvania
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sateryn76
I don't know, but whoever did should burn in hell. I first heard them at my cousin's school concert, and they are designed only to make Special Little Snowflakes shine...Oh, please...they've been around for decades. We used to sing them when I was in grade school (in the 70s). They're not designed for anything...they're kidlore, like Bloody Mary (the ghost, not the queen) and Mirror, Mirror Disappear and Greasy Grimy Gopher Guts and that song about the school burning down and all the kids forcing the teachers back into the flames.
Blarghhhh...[end of quote]
Wow...we'd have been in SO much trouble if we were kids today with that kind of repertoire..
**
3. Old 12-10-2008, 01:44 PM
BurnMeUp
Location: Redmond, WA USA
They were in place when I was a kid back in the 80's and I am sure they were from waaaay before that.
On a side note, if you rerally want to annoy some people, next time you're caroling, add in those verses. Then, every song after that, after the last verse add "Like a lightbulb!" We did that one year much to the chagrin of many people.
"sleeeep in heavenly peeeace.... LIKE A LIGHTBULB!"
**
4. 12-11-2008, 09:40 AM
D. Fenestrator
I learned the song as "Randolph the bald-headed cowboy," and after he shot Santa's wife he went down in history, but our version of the song didn't discuss how. Our teachers hated that song and forbade us from singing it, which of course made it even more popular among us kids.
I have heard the original version of Rudolph, the one that begins with the names of the reindeer, and it doesn't include the "like a light bulb" bits. I would't be too surprised if a newer version including them does exist, but the original was done straight. The "light bulb" version that I learned as a kid in the '70s was definitely meant to be irreverent and as subversive as one can get in grade school.
If we had ruined a school concert by singing the "light bulb" lyrics, we would have been in deep trouble, like we were when we sang the "mine eyes have seen the glory of the burning of the school" song on the school bus...
****
Excerpt #3:
From https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=635774 [Rudolph] You'll go down in history (like ???)
1. Dr. Righteous
12-22-2011, 11:44 AM
Mine are different than others have posted thus far. Just quoting the differences:
Used to laugh and call him names (like Dumbo)
...
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
...
As they shouted out with glee (hoo-ray!)
...
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!" (like Paul Revere)
1970's Long Island [New York], if anyone cares.
**
2. FrancisCastle
12-22-2011, 05:06 PM
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
---
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!" (like Lincoln)
Wisconsin, late 80s
**
3. 12-21-2011, 05:45 PM
Larry Mudd
Location: Ass end of Alberta
For us it was "Like Linda Lovelace." (c. 1977 - 1980)
**
4. IvoryTowerDenizen
12-21-2011, 05:51 PM
Columbus. Always was Columbus (mid 1970s).
Here are the added lines:
Reindeer
Like a lightbulb
Saw it
Like Donner
Like Pinocchio
Rudolph
Like Monopoly
Loved him
With glee!
Reindeer
Like Columbus!
**
5. Lord Il Palazzo
12-21-2011, 06:20 PM
I always heard George Washington referenced growing up in the 90's in a suburb of Washington DC. I also always hated the added lines for some reason. They just don't fit with the rest of the song and they feel like added commentary rather than part of the song's narrative.Here's what drives me crazy about this song:
Opening line: You know Dancer and Prancer and...."
And then: But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?"
Well, if he's the most famous, then Rudolph is the one we'd recall more than the others, right?I'd never realized that, but it's now going to bug the heck out of me every time I hear the song. Thanks for that.
**
6. 12-21-2011, 08:21 PM
jayjay Location: Central Pennsylvania
Pinocchio and Columbus (mid-70s, central PA)
**
https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=635774&page=2
7. auRa
12-22-2011, 06:40 AM
[quote]Why have I never heard any of this?[end of quote]
To be honest, I'm a little surprised at all the "never heard of it" answers coming from Americans. I'm just discussing this with a Finnish friend of mine. In the early-to-mid-90's, she was at the English School in Helsinki, I was at the International School, and we both definitely sang Rudolph with the add-ons. It just seems funny that we'd know about this in northern Europe and someone in the States would have managed to miss it. :D
(She had "George Washington", I had "Columbus". Although I think I heard "Napoleon" once.)
**
8. Old 12-22-2011, 09:04 AM
LaurenIpsum
Location: Buffalo, NY
In my upstate NY elementary school in the 80s, it was always "Like George Washington." I never heard a version with Columbus or any other name.
**
9. 12-22-2011, 09:12 AM
tim-n-va
I'm more in favor of "Randolf the Bow-legged Cowboy" with the poker games and "with your gun so bright won't you shoot my wife tonight".
ETA: Georger Washington and Dumbo in VA [Virginia] in the late 60s and early 70s.
**
10. Old 12-22-2011, 10:22 AM
Wolverine
Location: Not Beijing
Rudolph the red nosed reindeer (reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose
And if you ever saw it (saw it)
You would even say it glows (like a lightbulb)
All of the other reindeer (reindeer)
Used to laugh and call him names (like Pinocchio)
They never let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
Join in any reindeer games (like monopoly)
Then one foggy Christmas eve
Santa came to say,
"Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight"
Then all of the other reindeer loved him (loved him)
As they shouted out with glee (like toothpase)
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!" (like George Washington)
Differences in RED, non-controversial words in GREEN
I learned it this way in the 80s in Michigan.
-snip-
Sorry, all of the words are in black in this pancocojams post :o)
**
11. 12-22-2011, 11:12 AM
Jas09
Location: St. Louis, MO
Like George Washington. And the shouts of glee are to be followed by "yippee!". The game is Monopoly, and Donner is not mentioned except in the intro.
Midwest, Mid-80s.
**
12. 12-22-2011, 11:20 AM
ZipperJJ
Location: Northeast Ohio
Let me blow everyone's minds and say that in my little midwestern elementary school in the 80s we said "Like the Flinstones!" True story!
Second to that is George Washington. Never heard "Columbus."
**
13. 12-22-2011, 11:44 AM
Dr. Righteous
Location: overlooking ObamaNYC
Mine are different than others have posted thus far. Just quoting the differences:
Used to laugh and call him names (like Dumbo)
...
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
As they shouted out with glee (hoo-ray!)
...
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!" (like Paul Revere)
1970's Long Island, if anyone cares.
**
14. 12-22-2011, 01:38 PM
HenryGale
Pinocchio and Columbus here, born in '79, grew up in the NW 'burbs of Chicago.
Except, we added a syllable to Columbus to match Pinocchio... "Like Co-lum-bi-us!"
**
15. 12-22-2011, 03:20 PM
Jophiel
Location: Chicago suburbia
Columbus (Chicago c.1978 onward)
**
16. Old 12-22-2011, 05:06 PM
FrancisCastle
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
---
"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer,
you'll go down in history!" (like Lincoln)
Wisconsin, late 80s
**
17. Old 12-22-2011, 10:53 PM
Lamia
Quote:
...What I remember from when I was a kid (late '80s in the Southeast) was:
...shouted out with glee (Whoopee! or Yippee!)
"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you'll go down in history!" (Like toothpaste!)
I figured this was because toothpaste is a famous invention, but that it was also a joke because you don't learn about toothpaste in history. Until today I don't think I've ever even heard of using a famous historic person's name at that point, although it makes a lot more sense that way.
Oh, the insult I learned was funny face, and the reindeer game was football.
-snip-
As some commenters mentioned on this discussion thread or others, the reason for the "toothpaste" response after the line "shouted out with glee" is that in the 1970s there was a brand of toothpaste called Gleem.
**
18. 12-23-2011, 09:41 AM
Pai325
Quote:Exactly!
Originally Posted by Jas09
Like George Washington. And the shouts of glee are to be followed by "yippee!". The game is Monopoly, and Donner is not mentioned except in the intro.
Midwest, Mid-80s. end of quote
Chicago area, late 50s
https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=635774&page=3
19. 12-23-2011, 12:51 PM
Bearflag70
Location: Sacramento, CA
call him names > like Pinoccio
games > like Monopoly
glee > HOO-RAY!
history > like Columbus
1970s SoCal
[...]
****
Excerpt #4:
From http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-710870.html Rudolph, you'll go down in history (like ___)
1. Skywatcher
12-19-2013, 11:47 AM
Columbus
New Orleans 'burbs, mid-80s.
**
2. Miller
12-19-2013, 12:45 PM
Always heard "Like Lincoln" when I was growing up. This would be California in the 1980s.
**
3. smaje1
12-19-2013, 01:12 PM
I love that there are users on this board that have no idea what we're talking about here.
Chicago, grew up in the 80s:
Called him names: Like Pinocchio
Reindeer games: Like Monopoly
History: Like George Washington
**
4. Ulf the Unwashed
12-19-2013, 01:19 PM
Chicago, seventies.
Like Bobby Orr...
**
5. Jas09
12-19-2013, 01:33 PM
Chicago, grew up in the 80s:
Called him names: Like Pinocchio
Reindeer games: Like Monopoly
History: Like George WashingtonSame on all counts, but replace Chicago with St. Louis.
**
6. Miller
12-19-2013, 02:05 PM
Always heard "Like Lincoln" when I was growing up. This would be California in the 1980s.
To round out the other options:
...call him names ("Like Dumbo!")
...reindeer games ("Like football!")
Also, on "Santa came to say," a hearty "Ho Ho Ho!" and "...as they shouted out with glee," was followed by "Yippee!" The toothpaste reference would have been lost on us, I'm afraid - we never had that brand around here.
**
7. kaylasdad99
12-19-2013, 01:46 PM
Born in NW Indiana.
"Used to laugh and call him names (like Pinocchio!)"
"Join in any reindeer games (like Monopoly!)"
"You'll go down in history (like Columbus!)"
I love that there are users on this board that have no idea what we're talking about here.
Chicago, grew up in the 80s:
**
8. The Universe Lashes Out
12-19-2013, 02:25 PM
Lightbulb, Pinocchio, Monopoly, George Washington. I grew up in Alabama in the mid-1980's. Although when I have kids, I'm gonna teach them to say Linda Lovelace, thanks Czarcasm.
**
9. E. Thorp
12-20-2013, 05:13 PM
Like Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson...and Paul Reveeeeeeere...
(southern Ohio, 70s)
**
10. Pai325
12-19-2013, 05:47 PM
George Washington. Chicago in the 50s.
**
11. Kimble
12-19-2013, 05:59 PM
lightbulb, Pinocchio, Monopoly, ho ho ho, whoopee (or yippee), George Washington
Knoxville TN, late 1970s
**
12. IvoryTowerDenizen
12-19-2013, 06:05 PM
Columbus. Western New York, mid 1970-1980s.
Here's all of the additions I learned:
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose (Like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it (Saw it)
...
All of the other reindeer (Like Blitzen)
Use to laugh and call him names (like pichnoccio)
They wouldn't let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
Join in any reindeer games (like monopoly)
.....
Then all the reindeer loved him (loved him)
And they shouted out with glee (WITH GLEE)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
You'll go down in History (like Columbus)
**
13. Ferret Herder
12-19-2013, 07:13 PM
Alexander Graham Bell. Wisconsin, late 70s.
**
14. fisha
12-19-2013, 09:10 PM
Mn, Jackie Gleason, 1970's.
Never heard of any of the others….
-snip-
Mn = Minnesota
**
15. Qwisp
12-19-2013, 10:48 PM
"Like a lightbulb" this was in the Chicagoland suburbs in the mid nineties.
**
16. E. Thorp
12-20-2013, 05:13 PM
Like Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson...and Paul Reveeeeeeere...
(southern Ohio, 70s)
**
17. Ferret Herder
12-19-2013, 07:13 PM
Alexander Graham Bell. Wisconsin, late 70s.
**
18. Tess Trueheart
12-20-2013, 07:58 PM
Like a lightbulb
Like Pinocchio
Like Monopoly
Ho ho ho
Yippee!
Like Columbus
Texas in the 90s
**
19. expectopatronum
12-22-2013, 11:57 AM
like a lightbulb
like a flashlight
like pinocchio
like monopoly
ho ho ho
like toothpaste
like george washington
central florida, late 80s early 90s.
**
20. BigDadWolf
12-22-2013, 08:54 PM
Dallas - mid 70s - we sang it like this to be best of my recollection:
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
Had a very shiny nose (like a light bulb)
And if you ever saw it (saw it)
You would even say it glows (like a light bulb)
All of the other reindeer (Like Dasher)
Use to laugh and call him names (like pichnoccio)
They wouldn't let poor Rudolph (Rudolph)
Join in any reindeer games (like football)
Then one snowy Christmas Eve
Santa came to say (Ho Ho Ho)
Rudolph with your nose so bright
Won't you guide me sleigh tonight?
Then all the reindeer loved him (loved him)
And they shouted out with glee (Whoopeee!)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (reindeer)
You'll go down in History (like the Indians)
Anyone else ever use "like the Indians" for going down in history?
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Monday, December 18, 2017
Excerpts From & Comments About The 2012 Washington Post Article "Confessions of a Kwanzaa drop-out: Why I don’t celebrate the holiday"
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post quotes excerpts from the 2012 Washington Post newspaper article entitled "Confessions of a Kwanzaa drop-out: Why I don’t celebrate the holiday" By Kathryn O'Neal
This post also quotes selected comments from that article's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
I showcase excerpts of online articles and their comments to raise awareness of these articles/comments. I encourage you to read the entire article and its discussion whose link is given below.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
Click the Kwanzaa tab for more pancocojams posts about this African American originated holiday.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPT:
From https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/confessions-of-a-kwanzaa-dropout-why-i-dont-celebrate-the-holiday/2012/12/12/f60ffd78-447e-11e2-8061-253bccfc7532_blog.html?utm_term=.81005e44ad77 "Confessions of a Kwanzaa drop-out: Why I don’t celebrate the holiday"
By Kathryn O'Neal December 13, 2012
"...Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Maulana Karenga. Currently the Chair of the Africana Studies Department at California State University (Long Beach), Karenga created the holiday “to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community,” according to The Official Kwanzaa Web Site http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/7principles.shtml. The seven core principles of Kwanzaa, which are represented through candles lit during the holiday, are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
When I became a mother, I was committed to making Kwanzaa a family tradition. In a world that rarely acknowledges the resilience, grace and ingenuity of African-descendents, for me, Kwanzaa represented an opportunity to hold our strengths up to the light.
J and I faithfully celebrated Kwanzaa from the time he was an infant until he was about 10. Each year, we lit the seven candles, discussed the principles, threw on our Kwanzaa CD and read Kwanzaa children’s books. We hosted special dinners and brunches. Friends came over. Music played, and people danced. Kwanzaa was so big in our house when J was little that he thought it was a national holiday, celebrated by all.
[...]
We gradually stopped celebrating because (a) I forgot when it was, (b) we were traveling, and I forgot the candles, or (c) blah blah blah. Basically, I was too busy to celebrate my culture for just one small week. What had things come to?
[...]
When J was little, I wanted to teach him about the importance of his culture and significance of our contributions to humanity. For the mother of a 5-year-old, singing songs and lighting candles were a great way to illustrate that. However, now I have a critically-thinking, intellectual teenager who is more interested in facts about African American inventors than nursery songs about creativity. More interested in reason than ritual.
[...]
J, now 13, has his own thoughts on Kwanzaa. Noting that most African Americans can’t pinpoint our African origins and that African culture is vastly diverse, he argues that it is inaccurate for African Americans to celebrate our “African” heritage as if it were a monolithic entity.
But J’s argument for not celebrating Kwanzaa is precisely why we need Kwanzaa in some form. African Americans need to learn more about the vast diversity of African culture as well as learning about the richness of our history in America.
Thus, I have now, consciously decided not to celebrate Kwanzaa this year. Not because we don’t have time. And not because I won’t be able to find the principles on my smartphone while we are hiking in the mountains this holiday. I have decided not to celebrate it for the exact same reason I decided to celebrate it when J was a baby.
[...]
When we actively celebrated Kwanzaa, I often relied on the concepts as set forth in “Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience.” http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/a/appiah-africana.html. This 2095-page tome addresses many topics pertaining to black life and history. Inspired by the dream of the late African American historian W.E.B. Du Bois and edited by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Kwame Anthony Appiah, the Africana is possibly the first scholarly encyclopedia to focus on the history of Africa and the African diaspora.
Thinking of my son and my reason for celebrating Kwanzaa, I realize that if I want to teach him something, I will have to actually, literally teach him. Rather than cracking open the Kwanzaa section of the Africana in order to quickly glimpse that day’s principle, lighting some candles and calling it quits, my son and I will now start reading the Africana together. Through this, we will celebrate our culture and our heritage. No frills. No Kente tablecoth. But the goal is the same, and perhaps even more precisely achieved.
Happy Kwanzaa!"
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS ARTICLE'S DISCUSSION THREAD
I've numbered these comments for referencing purposes only.
1. Chuckaluck
12/26/2012 7:50 AM EST
"Kwanzaa over the years has lost popularity probably for some of the same reasons stated in the article and it was actually invented by a college professor. so it's not an actual African holiday or celebration. You can practice the principles without Kwanzaa. I never embraced it myself. I don't think it's needed . Some people may need it because it's the only way some people will learn anything about the importance of history."
**
2. Theodore R. Johnson
12/20/2012 2:01 PM EST
"We have simply outgrown the need for Kwanzaa. The cultural pride that Kwanzaa allowed us to experience was necessary for a people going the Civil Rights Era. Today's African-Americans, however, don't have the same need or desire to view the world through a Pan-African lens or look elsewhere (like East Africa) for a cultural identity..."
**
Reply
3. Dennis L. Sheffield
12/21/2012 4:40 PM EST
"That statement could not be more further from the truth. I would only state you perhaps you would need to look at the statistical data of Black Folk in this country, especially our youth. You used the words "outgrown the need" I beg to differ. In light of just last week (12/2012) a Louisiana Journalist was fired because she wanted to express her heritage by wearing a short Afro hairstyle; NO THE NEED IS VERY MUCH ALIVE!!!!
**
4. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:14 PM EST
"First let me apologize for having to break this comment up into 7 parts. Comment can only be made in 1000 character blocks."
**
5. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:14 PM EST
"Part 1:Kathryn, Thanks, I appreciate you sharing your experience about Kwanzaa. Mine has been somewhat the same. Like you, I started celebrating Kwanzaa while a student in college a Sacramento City College. At the time I was living with my son’s mother who also had two other children. I was the president of the BSU and later chair of the ASG (African Study Group), we co-sponsored several public community Kwanzaa celebration, with other community groups. I also celebrated it with my family at home and we had the then Sacramento Union newspaper come to my home to take picture of us all dress in our real African outfits sitting around the Kwanzaa display, with my step son lighting the candle. I was Mr. Kwanzaa during those days. But I’ve back slid a little in my later years, but I never forget what Kwanzaa represent in the context of African history; I remember the seven principles; I remember the days it’s celebrates; and all the symbols used to decorate and set up the display."
**
6. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:13 PM EST
"Part2: I keep my Kwanzaa handbook nearby when doing the Libation statement and some other events during the Karamu (feast). Some years I put up my display and send some cards, and cook a dinner, but not every year. At this point Kwanzaa is in my heart and mind, and I have an alternative to the twisted Christmas celebration that mixed up religion and Santa, and encourage me to spend all my money to feel good, and leave me strapped with debt after the New Years. As to the issues you had with your son, as he grew up, I experienced the same with our kids as they grew up and had other things on their minds. You have to understand that today people are so influenced by TV and advertisement and Kwanzaa isn’t all over TV like Christmas, Hanukah, and other holidays. So you have to work a little harder to stick with Kwanzaa. Everyone who celebrate Kwanzaa or any other holiday, does so in their own ways. If you still value what Kwanzaa stands for, then you are celebrating Kwanzaa"
**
7. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:13 PM EST
"Part 3: Remember Karenga pointed out the seven principals are year-round principals. So once we get them down and internalize them, then we don’t have to worry about all the symbolism. So what you are doing now, I think is just fine, maybe the time will come again when you’ll put on a big Kwanzaa Celebration. And remember, sometimes the things you teach your children when they are small, don’t take real effect until they are adults trying to figuring out who they really are. When they go from child to teenager, usually they rebel, not because what you say is bad or not good, but simply because they are trying to find their own identity. So keep the faith in Kwanzaa. It’s worth it. One thing you said I want to comment on specifically, you said: “Noting that most African Americans can’t pinpoint our African origins and that African culture is vastly diverse, he argues that it is inaccurate for African Americans to celebrate our “African” heritage as if it were a monolithic entity.” "
**
8. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:13 PM EST
"Part 4: My understanding of Kwanzaa is it does not suggest that African heritage is a monolithic entity whether is or not. Believe me, if anyone know of the diversity of African culture, Dr. Karenga knows more than any other. The problem most of us African-Americans have in connecting with our culture is we know so little about it, and we have been “educated”, brainwashed, conditioned, whatever you want to call it, to like other’s culture over our own---and we have some current day whites running interference by putting down Kwanzaa and trying to tell us who or what is black or who should speak for us, and tell us what we should call ourselves. But Kujichagulia gives us Self-Determination. Christmas don’t tell us that. Therefore, when someone like Dr. Karenga present us with something that he’s researched and extracted from our own culture, we tend to reject it because it is so unfamiliar. That’s human nature."
**
9. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:12 PM EST
"Part 5: I’m from Mississippi, traditionally the last state in everything, especially in black culture awareness. But while in college in Sacramento, I obtain a degree (took about 15 doses (as in mental medicine) of Black and African history and cultural studies. Given all I’ve learned about Africa, mostly in my own study, I can tell you, at some levels you could say African culture is near monolithic, and it is not just in the bad thing. I think you can safely say, nearly all traditional African people are most demonstrative in their music and dance. You can see similarities in foods in certain areas, if not everywhere. You can say the same, at a certain level, about any of the world racial groups. For example, most of us are familiar with Chinese New Year. But do most people know that, at a certain ways, Asian culture is near monolithic, because other Asian countries have similar celebrations akin to Chinese New Year."
**
10. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:12 PM EST
"Part 6: During traditional times in Africa, people in African villages, were agricultural people, celebrated what can be call harvest festivals. This festival in addition to being about gathering up the crops, it was about sharing harvest, but also marked the end and beginning of a new year. Karenga took this basic activity and concept of the harvest festival and created a Pan-African holiday for a modern non-agricultural African people, mostly living in the U.S. Christmas, the Santa version originated in one place, but is celebrated throughout Europe and the West. So, why can’t the same apply to Kwanzaa. In creating the holiday in a Pan-African spirit, Us (Urban Survival) and Karenga used the Swahili language terms because it was the widest spoken native African language. In conclusion, those of us who have a true Pan-African approach or attitude to Africa and Africans rejoice in the accomplishments of and feel the pain of African people everywhere, in and outside Africa."
**
11. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:12 PM EST
"Part 7: Likewise we feel comfortable sharing things specific to one or another African group, as if it were our own; and we encourage other African to fellowship with us in our (whatever African people I am) creations. We need to learn love, respect and encourage each other and listen with a large grain of salt to anything a white person say that put down something involving black. We should always know who is the Black or African authorities and others authorities on the subject, then research and read what they have to say about the subject, before believing someone who’s uninformed or just hating.
Harumbee
FaraJi GoreDenna"
**
12. Grob Hahn
12/17/2012 10:42 AM EST
"ALL holidays have an origin. Why would a 20th century origin weigh any less than a 12th century origin for a holiday? It's the people who give a holiday meaning. I fail to understand why this holiday would be at the beginning of winter though. That might have been something that was debated a bit more. But otherwise I think the creation of this ethnic and American holiday was a brilliant move that has great potential for unifying. Like the MMM, it may take some time for everyone to get on board with the reason for the season.
Grobbbbbbbbbbb"
**
13. Johnnie A
12/14/2012 11:51 AM EST
"Your main problem is not whether to celebrate Kwanzaa or not its HOW you're celebrating it. The cultural holiday is communal. If you are relying on just you and your son (as a family) to practice it, you are missing the point. In most urban cities, there are Kwanzaa Celebrations held at community centers ( at least there are in cities like Oakland, Philly, Detroit, NYC, Chicago, etc) ... You see, we've been so indoctrinated into Western, individual-centered thinking, we focus on what the holiday will give us.. but thats backwards.. Kwanzaa is about the whole "village" coming together to celebrate the "first fruits." Its hard to do this sitting at a table in room with just you and your son. Kwanzaa is about the not a religious holiday but a cultural celebration of the Black Family.. period."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post quotes excerpts from the 2012 Washington Post newspaper article entitled "Confessions of a Kwanzaa drop-out: Why I don’t celebrate the holiday" By Kathryn O'Neal
This post also quotes selected comments from that article's discussion thread.
The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.
I showcase excerpts of online articles and their comments to raise awareness of these articles/comments. I encourage you to read the entire article and its discussion whose link is given below.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
Click the Kwanzaa tab for more pancocojams posts about this African American originated holiday.
****
ARTICLE EXCERPT:
From https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/therootdc/post/confessions-of-a-kwanzaa-dropout-why-i-dont-celebrate-the-holiday/2012/12/12/f60ffd78-447e-11e2-8061-253bccfc7532_blog.html?utm_term=.81005e44ad77 "Confessions of a Kwanzaa drop-out: Why I don’t celebrate the holiday"
By Kathryn O'Neal December 13, 2012
"...Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Maulana Karenga. Currently the Chair of the Africana Studies Department at California State University (Long Beach), Karenga created the holiday “to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community,” according to The Official Kwanzaa Web Site http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/7principles.shtml. The seven core principles of Kwanzaa, which are represented through candles lit during the holiday, are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
When I became a mother, I was committed to making Kwanzaa a family tradition. In a world that rarely acknowledges the resilience, grace and ingenuity of African-descendents, for me, Kwanzaa represented an opportunity to hold our strengths up to the light.
J and I faithfully celebrated Kwanzaa from the time he was an infant until he was about 10. Each year, we lit the seven candles, discussed the principles, threw on our Kwanzaa CD and read Kwanzaa children’s books. We hosted special dinners and brunches. Friends came over. Music played, and people danced. Kwanzaa was so big in our house when J was little that he thought it was a national holiday, celebrated by all.
[...]
We gradually stopped celebrating because (a) I forgot when it was, (b) we were traveling, and I forgot the candles, or (c) blah blah blah. Basically, I was too busy to celebrate my culture for just one small week. What had things come to?
[...]
When J was little, I wanted to teach him about the importance of his culture and significance of our contributions to humanity. For the mother of a 5-year-old, singing songs and lighting candles were a great way to illustrate that. However, now I have a critically-thinking, intellectual teenager who is more interested in facts about African American inventors than nursery songs about creativity. More interested in reason than ritual.
[...]
J, now 13, has his own thoughts on Kwanzaa. Noting that most African Americans can’t pinpoint our African origins and that African culture is vastly diverse, he argues that it is inaccurate for African Americans to celebrate our “African” heritage as if it were a monolithic entity.
But J’s argument for not celebrating Kwanzaa is precisely why we need Kwanzaa in some form. African Americans need to learn more about the vast diversity of African culture as well as learning about the richness of our history in America.
Thus, I have now, consciously decided not to celebrate Kwanzaa this year. Not because we don’t have time. And not because I won’t be able to find the principles on my smartphone while we are hiking in the mountains this holiday. I have decided not to celebrate it for the exact same reason I decided to celebrate it when J was a baby.
[...]
When we actively celebrated Kwanzaa, I often relied on the concepts as set forth in “Africana: The Encyclopedia of the African and African American Experience.” http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/a/appiah-africana.html. This 2095-page tome addresses many topics pertaining to black life and history. Inspired by the dream of the late African American historian W.E.B. Du Bois and edited by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Kwame Anthony Appiah, the Africana is possibly the first scholarly encyclopedia to focus on the history of Africa and the African diaspora.
Thinking of my son and my reason for celebrating Kwanzaa, I realize that if I want to teach him something, I will have to actually, literally teach him. Rather than cracking open the Kwanzaa section of the Africana in order to quickly glimpse that day’s principle, lighting some candles and calling it quits, my son and I will now start reading the Africana together. Through this, we will celebrate our culture and our heritage. No frills. No Kente tablecoth. But the goal is the same, and perhaps even more precisely achieved.
Happy Kwanzaa!"
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS ARTICLE'S DISCUSSION THREAD
I've numbered these comments for referencing purposes only.
1. Chuckaluck
12/26/2012 7:50 AM EST
"Kwanzaa over the years has lost popularity probably for some of the same reasons stated in the article and it was actually invented by a college professor. so it's not an actual African holiday or celebration. You can practice the principles without Kwanzaa. I never embraced it myself. I don't think it's needed . Some people may need it because it's the only way some people will learn anything about the importance of history."
**
2. Theodore R. Johnson
12/20/2012 2:01 PM EST
"We have simply outgrown the need for Kwanzaa. The cultural pride that Kwanzaa allowed us to experience was necessary for a people going the Civil Rights Era. Today's African-Americans, however, don't have the same need or desire to view the world through a Pan-African lens or look elsewhere (like East Africa) for a cultural identity..."
**
Reply
3. Dennis L. Sheffield
12/21/2012 4:40 PM EST
"That statement could not be more further from the truth. I would only state you perhaps you would need to look at the statistical data of Black Folk in this country, especially our youth. You used the words "outgrown the need" I beg to differ. In light of just last week (12/2012) a Louisiana Journalist was fired because she wanted to express her heritage by wearing a short Afro hairstyle; NO THE NEED IS VERY MUCH ALIVE!!!!
**
4. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:14 PM EST
"First let me apologize for having to break this comment up into 7 parts. Comment can only be made in 1000 character blocks."
**
5. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:14 PM EST
"Part 1:Kathryn, Thanks, I appreciate you sharing your experience about Kwanzaa. Mine has been somewhat the same. Like you, I started celebrating Kwanzaa while a student in college a Sacramento City College. At the time I was living with my son’s mother who also had two other children. I was the president of the BSU and later chair of the ASG (African Study Group), we co-sponsored several public community Kwanzaa celebration, with other community groups. I also celebrated it with my family at home and we had the then Sacramento Union newspaper come to my home to take picture of us all dress in our real African outfits sitting around the Kwanzaa display, with my step son lighting the candle. I was Mr. Kwanzaa during those days. But I’ve back slid a little in my later years, but I never forget what Kwanzaa represent in the context of African history; I remember the seven principles; I remember the days it’s celebrates; and all the symbols used to decorate and set up the display."
**
6. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:13 PM EST
"Part2: I keep my Kwanzaa handbook nearby when doing the Libation statement and some other events during the Karamu (feast). Some years I put up my display and send some cards, and cook a dinner, but not every year. At this point Kwanzaa is in my heart and mind, and I have an alternative to the twisted Christmas celebration that mixed up religion and Santa, and encourage me to spend all my money to feel good, and leave me strapped with debt after the New Years. As to the issues you had with your son, as he grew up, I experienced the same with our kids as they grew up and had other things on their minds. You have to understand that today people are so influenced by TV and advertisement and Kwanzaa isn’t all over TV like Christmas, Hanukah, and other holidays. So you have to work a little harder to stick with Kwanzaa. Everyone who celebrate Kwanzaa or any other holiday, does so in their own ways. If you still value what Kwanzaa stands for, then you are celebrating Kwanzaa"
**
7. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:13 PM EST
"Part 3: Remember Karenga pointed out the seven principals are year-round principals. So once we get them down and internalize them, then we don’t have to worry about all the symbolism. So what you are doing now, I think is just fine, maybe the time will come again when you’ll put on a big Kwanzaa Celebration. And remember, sometimes the things you teach your children when they are small, don’t take real effect until they are adults trying to figuring out who they really are. When they go from child to teenager, usually they rebel, not because what you say is bad or not good, but simply because they are trying to find their own identity. So keep the faith in Kwanzaa. It’s worth it. One thing you said I want to comment on specifically, you said: “Noting that most African Americans can’t pinpoint our African origins and that African culture is vastly diverse, he argues that it is inaccurate for African Americans to celebrate our “African” heritage as if it were a monolithic entity.” "
**
8. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:13 PM EST
"Part 4: My understanding of Kwanzaa is it does not suggest that African heritage is a monolithic entity whether is or not. Believe me, if anyone know of the diversity of African culture, Dr. Karenga knows more than any other. The problem most of us African-Americans have in connecting with our culture is we know so little about it, and we have been “educated”, brainwashed, conditioned, whatever you want to call it, to like other’s culture over our own---and we have some current day whites running interference by putting down Kwanzaa and trying to tell us who or what is black or who should speak for us, and tell us what we should call ourselves. But Kujichagulia gives us Self-Determination. Christmas don’t tell us that. Therefore, when someone like Dr. Karenga present us with something that he’s researched and extracted from our own culture, we tend to reject it because it is so unfamiliar. That’s human nature."
**
9. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:12 PM EST
"Part 5: I’m from Mississippi, traditionally the last state in everything, especially in black culture awareness. But while in college in Sacramento, I obtain a degree (took about 15 doses (as in mental medicine) of Black and African history and cultural studies. Given all I’ve learned about Africa, mostly in my own study, I can tell you, at some levels you could say African culture is near monolithic, and it is not just in the bad thing. I think you can safely say, nearly all traditional African people are most demonstrative in their music and dance. You can see similarities in foods in certain areas, if not everywhere. You can say the same, at a certain level, about any of the world racial groups. For example, most of us are familiar with Chinese New Year. But do most people know that, at a certain ways, Asian culture is near monolithic, because other Asian countries have similar celebrations akin to Chinese New Year."
**
10. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:12 PM EST
"Part 6: During traditional times in Africa, people in African villages, were agricultural people, celebrated what can be call harvest festivals. This festival in addition to being about gathering up the crops, it was about sharing harvest, but also marked the end and beginning of a new year. Karenga took this basic activity and concept of the harvest festival and created a Pan-African holiday for a modern non-agricultural African people, mostly living in the U.S. Christmas, the Santa version originated in one place, but is celebrated throughout Europe and the West. So, why can’t the same apply to Kwanzaa. In creating the holiday in a Pan-African spirit, Us (Urban Survival) and Karenga used the Swahili language terms because it was the widest spoken native African language. In conclusion, those of us who have a true Pan-African approach or attitude to Africa and Africans rejoice in the accomplishments of and feel the pain of African people everywhere, in and outside Africa."
**
11. FaraJi
12/13/2012 2:12 PM EST
"Part 7: Likewise we feel comfortable sharing things specific to one or another African group, as if it were our own; and we encourage other African to fellowship with us in our (whatever African people I am) creations. We need to learn love, respect and encourage each other and listen with a large grain of salt to anything a white person say that put down something involving black. We should always know who is the Black or African authorities and others authorities on the subject, then research and read what they have to say about the subject, before believing someone who’s uninformed or just hating.
Harumbee
FaraJi GoreDenna"
**
12. Grob Hahn
12/17/2012 10:42 AM EST
"ALL holidays have an origin. Why would a 20th century origin weigh any less than a 12th century origin for a holiday? It's the people who give a holiday meaning. I fail to understand why this holiday would be at the beginning of winter though. That might have been something that was debated a bit more. But otherwise I think the creation of this ethnic and American holiday was a brilliant move that has great potential for unifying. Like the MMM, it may take some time for everyone to get on board with the reason for the season.
Grobbbbbbbbbbb"
**
13. Johnnie A
12/14/2012 11:51 AM EST
"Your main problem is not whether to celebrate Kwanzaa or not its HOW you're celebrating it. The cultural holiday is communal. If you are relying on just you and your son (as a family) to practice it, you are missing the point. In most urban cities, there are Kwanzaa Celebrations held at community centers ( at least there are in cities like Oakland, Philly, Detroit, NYC, Chicago, etc) ... You see, we've been so indoctrinated into Western, individual-centered thinking, we focus on what the holiday will give us.. but thats backwards.. Kwanzaa is about the whole "village" coming together to celebrate the "first fruits." Its hard to do this sitting at a table in room with just you and your son. Kwanzaa is about the not a religious holiday but a cultural celebration of the Black Family.. period."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Videos Of Kwanzaa Celebrations In The United States & In Canada
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases video examples of Kwanzaa celebrations. Seven of these celebrations were videotaped in the United States and one was videotaped in Canada.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Maulana Karenga for creating the Kwanzaa holiday. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
Click the Kwanzaa tab for more pancocojams posts about this African American originated holiday.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Many of these videos of Kwanzaa celebrations may have occurred on the evening of the sixth day of Kwanzaa. Here's a write up about that day"
from http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/7days.htm
"Kuumba
On the sixth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red, the next green and then the final red candle. This represents the 6th principle of Kwanzaa – Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity.
The sixth day, which occurs on New Years Eve, is a special day. This is the day of the Kwanzaa Karamu or Kwanzaa Feast. In the spirit of celebration many families invite their friends and family to join in the festivities.
Create a party atmosphere with additional Kwanzaa decorations. Dress up in traditional or traditional inspired clothing. Play African or African American music. Cook your favorite foods and special holiday dishes. Invite your guests to contribute to the feast by bringing along their favorite dishes. The children and/or the Adults can perform plays, read uplifting passages, poems or stories. Maybe one of the adults will be a story teller for the day. Remember the principle of the day is Kuumba (creativity). So be creative!!
On this special day we remember our ancestors when the Unity cup is shared. After everyone has taken a drink the candles are extinguished.
But before the Karamu is over, the eldest member of those present will read the Tamshi La Tutaonana (TAM-shi la Tu-ta-u-NA-na). The Tamshi La Tutaonana was written by Dr. Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa, as a farewell statement to the feast and the year.
Everyone stands as the elder reads:
Then the elder leads the guests in the Harambee (ha-RAM-bee) salute. Each person raises their right fist about as high as their shoulder, then pulls down forcefully until the elbow is next to next to their torso, saying “Harambee!” This is done seven times in unison.
This concludes the Karamu celebration."
-snip-
It should be noted that this write up serves as one idea about how these programs can occur.
Some community Kwanzaa gatherings with dancing, drumming, food, and speakers have been held on other nights of Kwanzaa instead of or in addition to the sixth night of Kwanzaa (Kuumba). These community Kwanzaa celebrations are usually open to the public, but largely attended by people who have otherwise participated throughout the year in the sponsoring organization's/organizations' services/activities.
Depending on the sponsoring organization/s, either a few attendees or most of the attendees don't wear African clothing (usually semi-traditional West African fashions.)
Lighting the kinara candle and explaining that day's Kwanzaa principle are always parts of the Kwanzaa events that I've attended. However, gifts are usually not given at these events. Also, I've never heard anyone read the words that are given above in blockquotes. Furthermore, none of the Kwanzaa community events and small gatherings that I've attended over the years included drinking from the unity cup, apart from the first Kwanzaa gathering that I remember in Newark, New Jersey in 1967.
Smaller Kwanzaa parties are also held by family and friends on any night of Kwanzaa. These parties usually center around food and African dancing and drumming. People may or may not wear West African clothing. These parties may showcase a few people performing African dancing and drumming.
In the segment of the video given below as Example #6 (beginning at 5:50) the narrator mentions that small handmade gifts could be given every day of Kwanzaa, and a larger gift given on the last day of Kwanzaa. That is how I remember the Kwanzaa celebrations that I attended in 1967 in Newark, New Jersey, with the larger gift given during the evening of the 6th day of Kwanzaa, at the karamu. However, my experience since then is that gifts are usually not given out at community Kwanzaa events.
The seventh day of Kwanzaa (New Years Day) might have been traditionally considered a day of rest (from communal activities). However, some community organizations might hold an event on that day (instead of on other Kwanzaa days).
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: History of Kwanzaa
quartnivell escola, Published on Apr 28, 2008
Kwanzaa
****
Example #2: Sesame Street: Kwanzaa
Sesame Street, Published on Dec 17, 2008
In this clip, a family celebrates Kwanzaa.
Sesame Street is a production of Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization which also produces Pinky Dinky Doo, The Electric Company, and other programs for children around the world.
****
Example #3: CEA Children @ Kwanzaa 2011 SAFE Passage African Dance
CEApittsburghTV, Published on Jan 6, 2012
Community Empowerment Association's Kwanzaa Celebration 2011. Pittsburgh, PA. December 30, 2011
****
Example #4: ACHA Kwanzaa Show featuring The Africentric School Drumming and Dance Ensemble
African-Canadian Heritage, Published on Dec 9, 2013
The Africentric School Drumming and Dance Ensemble performance at the African Canadian Heritage Association annual Kwanzaa Show on Dec 7th at the Warden Wood Community Centre
****
Example #5: Kwanzaa Karamu 2012 - Kuumba performance
Mayaneye, Published on Jan 1, 2013
Taaluma Drum & Dance Company (Culture4mykids) performing for the family during the karamu.
****
Example #6: CELEBRATION episode Kwanzaa segment
craftinamerica.org, Published on Dec 11, 2015
www.craftinamerica.org. CELEBRATION episode Kwanzaa segment. PBS premiere: December 11, 2015...
-snip-
Here's information about the word "ase'" [pronounced "AH-shay") that was spoken near the end of this video:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ase_(Yoruba)
"Ase (or às̩e̩ or ashe [1]) is a West African philosophical concept through which the Yoruba of Nigeria conceive the power to make things happen and produce change. It is given by Olodumare to everything — gods, ancestors, spirits, humans, animals, plants, rocks, rivers, and voiced words such as songs, prayers, praises, curses, or even everyday conversation. Existence, according to Yoruba thought, is dependent upon it.[2]"
**
From http://www.aseire.com/meaning.php
"Ase is generally defined as "the power to make things happen" and also refers to the spiritual life force that flows through things, much like the Chinese concept of chi. Ase can also be used to express agreement -- saying "Ase!" can be like saying "Right on!" Ase is also a way of saying, "so let it be" and is used by Orisa worshippers in the way "amen" would be used by Christians following a prayer."
****
Example #7: 30th Annual Kwanzaafest | Durham, NC | OMNI Documentaries
OMNI Documentaries O.I.C. Media, Published on Jan 3, 2016
Habari Gani? KWANZAA! This year, 2016 was both the 30th annual Kwanzaafest & the 79th birthday of beloved African American Dance Ensemble (AADE) Founder, Baba Chuck Davis! And Bull City, Durham gave a great celebration for all to see! Performances were given by singer Versatyle, praise dancer Min. Fred Jones & theatrical drama from Lynnette Barber. (Go to Instagram account OMNI76 to SEE photos & video clips from the event!) But the true highlight were the combined performances of AADE & its sister dance company from Richmond, Virginia EZIBU MUNTU African Dance & Cultural Foundation! In witnessing the performance, you'll understand why Durham, NC starts off every year in being blessed by this annual extravaganza!
-snip-
The man wearing the gold agbada (robe) is Baba* Chuck Davis ((January 1, 1937 – May 14, 2017),
Baba Chuck Davis "was an American dancer and choreographer whose work focused on traditional African dance in America. He was the founder of DanceAfrica, the Chuck Davis Dance Company and the African American Dance Ensemble." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Davis_(dancer)
Baba Chuck Davis helped popularize the call & response attention chant "ago" - "ame".
*"Baba" here is an honorific title of respect for a male elder.
****
Example #8: 2016 Kwanzaa Celebration
TheTriangleTribune, Published on Jan 5, 2016
People came out to celebrate Kwanzaa at the Durham Armory for the annual Kwanzaa Fest presented by Chuck Davis and his African Dance Ensemble.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post showcases video examples of Kwanzaa celebrations. Seven of these celebrations were videotaped in the United States and one was videotaped in Canada.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Maulana Karenga for creating the Kwanzaa holiday. Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
Click the Kwanzaa tab for more pancocojams posts about this African American originated holiday.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
Many of these videos of Kwanzaa celebrations may have occurred on the evening of the sixth day of Kwanzaa. Here's a write up about that day"
from http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/7days.htm
"Kuumba
On the sixth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red, the next green and then the final red candle. This represents the 6th principle of Kwanzaa – Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity.
The sixth day, which occurs on New Years Eve, is a special day. This is the day of the Kwanzaa Karamu or Kwanzaa Feast. In the spirit of celebration many families invite their friends and family to join in the festivities.
Create a party atmosphere with additional Kwanzaa decorations. Dress up in traditional or traditional inspired clothing. Play African or African American music. Cook your favorite foods and special holiday dishes. Invite your guests to contribute to the feast by bringing along their favorite dishes. The children and/or the Adults can perform plays, read uplifting passages, poems or stories. Maybe one of the adults will be a story teller for the day. Remember the principle of the day is Kuumba (creativity). So be creative!!
On this special day we remember our ancestors when the Unity cup is shared. After everyone has taken a drink the candles are extinguished.
But before the Karamu is over, the eldest member of those present will read the Tamshi La Tutaonana (TAM-shi la Tu-ta-u-NA-na). The Tamshi La Tutaonana was written by Dr. Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa, as a farewell statement to the feast and the year.
Everyone stands as the elder reads:
Strive for discipline, dedication, and achievement in all you do. Dare struggle and sacrifice and gain the strength that comes from this. Build where you are and dare leave a legacy that will last as long as the sun shines and the water flows. Practice daily Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani. And may the wisdom of the ancestors always walk with us. May the year’s end meet us laughing, and stronger. May our children honor us by following our example in love and struggle. And at the end of next year, may we sit together again, in larger numbers, with greater achievement and closer to liberation and a higher level of life.
Then the elder leads the guests in the Harambee (ha-RAM-bee) salute. Each person raises their right fist about as high as their shoulder, then pulls down forcefully until the elbow is next to next to their torso, saying “Harambee!” This is done seven times in unison.
This concludes the Karamu celebration."
-snip-
It should be noted that this write up serves as one idea about how these programs can occur.
Some community Kwanzaa gatherings with dancing, drumming, food, and speakers have been held on other nights of Kwanzaa instead of or in addition to the sixth night of Kwanzaa (Kuumba). These community Kwanzaa celebrations are usually open to the public, but largely attended by people who have otherwise participated throughout the year in the sponsoring organization's/organizations' services/activities.
Depending on the sponsoring organization/s, either a few attendees or most of the attendees don't wear African clothing (usually semi-traditional West African fashions.)
Lighting the kinara candle and explaining that day's Kwanzaa principle are always parts of the Kwanzaa events that I've attended. However, gifts are usually not given at these events. Also, I've never heard anyone read the words that are given above in blockquotes. Furthermore, none of the Kwanzaa community events and small gatherings that I've attended over the years included drinking from the unity cup, apart from the first Kwanzaa gathering that I remember in Newark, New Jersey in 1967.
Smaller Kwanzaa parties are also held by family and friends on any night of Kwanzaa. These parties usually center around food and African dancing and drumming. People may or may not wear West African clothing. These parties may showcase a few people performing African dancing and drumming.
In the segment of the video given below as Example #6 (beginning at 5:50) the narrator mentions that small handmade gifts could be given every day of Kwanzaa, and a larger gift given on the last day of Kwanzaa. That is how I remember the Kwanzaa celebrations that I attended in 1967 in Newark, New Jersey, with the larger gift given during the evening of the 6th day of Kwanzaa, at the karamu. However, my experience since then is that gifts are usually not given out at community Kwanzaa events.
The seventh day of Kwanzaa (New Years Day) might have been traditionally considered a day of rest (from communal activities). However, some community organizations might hold an event on that day (instead of on other Kwanzaa days).
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: History of Kwanzaa
quartnivell escola, Published on Apr 28, 2008
Kwanzaa
****
Example #2: Sesame Street: Kwanzaa
Sesame Street, Published on Dec 17, 2008
In this clip, a family celebrates Kwanzaa.
Sesame Street is a production of Sesame Workshop, a nonprofit educational organization which also produces Pinky Dinky Doo, The Electric Company, and other programs for children around the world.
****
Example #3: CEA Children @ Kwanzaa 2011 SAFE Passage African Dance
CEApittsburghTV, Published on Jan 6, 2012
Community Empowerment Association's Kwanzaa Celebration 2011. Pittsburgh, PA. December 30, 2011
****
Example #4: ACHA Kwanzaa Show featuring The Africentric School Drumming and Dance Ensemble
African-Canadian Heritage, Published on Dec 9, 2013
The Africentric School Drumming and Dance Ensemble performance at the African Canadian Heritage Association annual Kwanzaa Show on Dec 7th at the Warden Wood Community Centre
****
Example #5: Kwanzaa Karamu 2012 - Kuumba performance
Mayaneye, Published on Jan 1, 2013
Taaluma Drum & Dance Company (Culture4mykids) performing for the family during the karamu.
****
Example #6: CELEBRATION episode Kwanzaa segment
craftinamerica.org, Published on Dec 11, 2015
www.craftinamerica.org. CELEBRATION episode Kwanzaa segment. PBS premiere: December 11, 2015...
-snip-
Here's information about the word "ase'" [pronounced "AH-shay") that was spoken near the end of this video:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ase_(Yoruba)
"Ase (or às̩e̩ or ashe [1]) is a West African philosophical concept through which the Yoruba of Nigeria conceive the power to make things happen and produce change. It is given by Olodumare to everything — gods, ancestors, spirits, humans, animals, plants, rocks, rivers, and voiced words such as songs, prayers, praises, curses, or even everyday conversation. Existence, according to Yoruba thought, is dependent upon it.[2]"
**
From http://www.aseire.com/meaning.php
"Ase is generally defined as "the power to make things happen" and also refers to the spiritual life force that flows through things, much like the Chinese concept of chi. Ase can also be used to express agreement -- saying "Ase!" can be like saying "Right on!" Ase is also a way of saying, "so let it be" and is used by Orisa worshippers in the way "amen" would be used by Christians following a prayer."
****
Example #7: 30th Annual Kwanzaafest | Durham, NC | OMNI Documentaries
OMNI Documentaries O.I.C. Media, Published on Jan 3, 2016
Habari Gani? KWANZAA! This year, 2016 was both the 30th annual Kwanzaafest & the 79th birthday of beloved African American Dance Ensemble (AADE) Founder, Baba Chuck Davis! And Bull City, Durham gave a great celebration for all to see! Performances were given by singer Versatyle, praise dancer Min. Fred Jones & theatrical drama from Lynnette Barber. (Go to Instagram account OMNI76 to SEE photos & video clips from the event!) But the true highlight were the combined performances of AADE & its sister dance company from Richmond, Virginia EZIBU MUNTU African Dance & Cultural Foundation! In witnessing the performance, you'll understand why Durham, NC starts off every year in being blessed by this annual extravaganza!
-snip-
The man wearing the gold agbada (robe) is Baba* Chuck Davis ((January 1, 1937 – May 14, 2017),
Baba Chuck Davis "was an American dancer and choreographer whose work focused on traditional African dance in America. He was the founder of DanceAfrica, the Chuck Davis Dance Company and the African American Dance Ensemble." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Davis_(dancer)
Baba Chuck Davis helped popularize the call & response attention chant "ago" - "ame".
*"Baba" here is an honorific title of respect for a male elder.
****
Example #8: 2016 Kwanzaa Celebration
TheTriangleTribune, Published on Jan 5, 2016
People came out to celebrate Kwanzaa at the Durham Armory for the annual Kwanzaa Fest presented by Chuck Davis and his African Dance Ensemble.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Sunday, December 17, 2017
Children's Song "O Kwanzaa" (information, lyrics, videos, & instrumental song file)
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest Revision: December 26, 2024
This pancocojams post provides information about Teresa Jennings' 2002 song "O Kwanzaa" and showcases video examples of that song.
An instrumental version of that song is also included in this post along with the song's lyrics and information about the meaning of the Swahili words in that song.
The Addendum to this post provides information about the Kwanzaa holiday and information about KiSwahili ("Swahili") language.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and educational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Teresa Jennings, the composer of this song, and thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: O Kwanzaa
jennsahy, Published on Dec 22, 2008
2008 Prairie Hill School Holiday Program - 2nd Grade, Song 3
****
Example #2: Singing o kwanza
poodinker, Published on Dec 14, 2012
Xmas concert
****
Example #3: Oh Kwanzaa ,,,
Jonathan Perrin, Published on Dec 16, 2014
My son Rylen and his third grade class performing kwanzaa in there Christmas concert. 2014
****
Example #4: O Kwanzaa
Karen Dubiner, Dec. 12, 2016
****
INFORMATION ABOUT TERESA JENNINGS' SONG "O KWANZAA"
Judging from the number of YouTube videos of this song YouTube, and the comment from those videos' discussion threads, Teresa Jennings' 2002 composition "O Kwanzaa" is by far the most widely sung Kwanzaa song (for children, and perhaps also for adults) in the United States.
As demonstrated in these videos, "O Kwanzaa" is sung in elementary schools by young children of all races/ethnicities during these school's Christmas (or winter holiday) programs.
Here's information about that song from https://www.musick8.com/html/mk8_fullimage.php?volumeid=V13_2 Music K-8,
The Resource Magazine For Elementary And Middle School Music Teachers (Volume 13, Number 2, Plank Road Publishing, November 2002)
" O Kwanzaa by Teresa Jennings
To help you bring Kwanzaa to your students, consider using the song in this issue, "O Kwanzaa." It is a unique blend of hip hop, gospel, and African styles which students will enjoy. A pronunciation guide is included on the music for the Swahili words. The division of part 2 is optional (as is part 2 itself), but it adds distinctly to the flavor of the piece. Be sure students emphasize the crescendo/descresendo for the best results in all parts. Have them listen to the recording for reference. Also let them play along on their own Orff/percussion instruments using our suggested rhythms (see page 64) or creating their own. See if they can identify the African percussion used on the recording."
-snip-
Click https://www.musick8.com/html/tjbio.php for biographical information about Teresa Jennings. Please share any additional information that you know about this composer. Thanks!
****
LYRICS: O KWANZAA
(Teresa Jennings)
O-o-o Kwanzaa
O-o-o Kwanzaa
O-o-o Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa!
O-o-o Kwanzaa
O-o-o Kwanzaa
O-o-o Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa!
O-o o
Seven days of celebration
Nguzo Saba
Seven days of celebration
Habari gani
Seven days of celebration
Nguzo Saba
Seven days of celebration
Habari gani
Harambee!
[repeat the entire song again]
-snip-
The second and third "o" in this song are elongated].
****
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE TO THE KISWAHILI WORDS (AND THE MODIFIED KISWAHILI WORDS) IN THIS AFRICAN AMERICAN SONG
Kwanzaa:
pronounced KWAN-zah
Kwanzaa is an annual winter holiday that occurs December 6 - January 1. Each day of Kwanzaa showcases one "principle" for good living. These seven principles are collectively called "the Nguza Saba". [phonetically pronounced N-goo-sah SA-bah]
The Kwanzaa holiday was created in 1966 by African American activist Maulana Karenga. (The Arabic word "Maulana" is pronounced mawl-LAH-nah) and means "religious teacher". However, Kwanzaa isn't a religious holiday and Maulana Karenga wasn't the leader of a religious organization.)
The word "Kwanzaa" is based on the KiSwahili (Swahili) word "kwanza" which means "first". The longer name for this holiday is "Kwanzaa ya Matunda" (mah-TOON-dah) meaning "First Fruits". Kwanzaa is a partly patterned after African harvest festivals. (Notice the symbols of corn and other fall vegetables that are traditionally laid on the Kwanzaa mat representing "crops".)
Singing songs about Kwanzaa helps reinforce awareness of and appreciation of multiculturalism by presenting additional opportunities to learn about and celebrate African American culture. African cultures, and other Black cultures throughout the world.
Additional comments about incorporating information and songs about Kwanzaa in schools' curriculum are found in the Addendum below.
**
Habari gani:
(pronounced hah-BAH-ree GAH-nee)
A lot of articles about Kwanzaa give the English translation of the Swahili words "Habari gani" as "What's the news?"*. However, the English translation for the Swahili words "Habari gani" actually is "How are you?" Among African Americans (and, by extension, other people in the United States) an informal way of asking "How are you?" are "What's happening"*. A somewhat more formal way of saying "What's happening?" is "What's the news?" Other informal African American greetings that have the same meaning are "What's up?", "What's going on" and "How [are] you doing?"
*In the late 1960s and the 1970s the African American Vernacular (informal) English greeting "What's happening?" was relatively widely used among African Americans. For example, that phrase was the title of a nationally televised sit-com (situation comedy) series about an African American family. That sit com aired on ABC (one of the three major television channels ABC, CBS, & NBC, given in no particular order) from August 5, 1976, until April 28, 1979. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_Happening!! for information about that series.
Among African Americans (if not people who speak Swahili in East Africa and Central Africa), the response to "Habari gani" is the Swahili word "Njema" (meaning "good".) However, during the week of Kwanzaa, people are "supposed"* to use another greeting strategy- a person is "supposed to" greet other people with the words "Kwanzaa Furaka" (KWAN-zah foo-RAH-hah) meaning "Happy Kwanzaa". In response, people are supposed to respond with the name of the particular Kwanzaa (Nguza Saba) day. For instance, on the first day of Kwanzaa, when someone says "Kwanzaa Furaha" to another person, that person responds by saying "Umoja". This pattern continues throughout the week and on the last day of Kwanzaa, when someone says "Kwanzaa Furaha" to another person, that person replies "Imani".
*I recall using this greeting custom in the late 1960s shortly after (African American) Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa. However, I'm not sure if Maulana Karenga was the one who created this Kwanzaa greeting custom. Kwanzaa was celebrated by very few African Americans people in the 1960s and 1970s and very few African Americans actually celebrate Kwanzaa now (in 2022). Furthermore, in my experience, very few people who actually celebrate/d Kwanzaa are/were aware of and/or use/d this greeting custom that I've described above. This description is based on my affiliation in 1967-1969 with the Newark, New Jersey cultural nationalist organization Committee For Unified Newark (CFUN).CFUN was the first cultural origination in the east coast of the United States to celebrate Kwanzaa.(in 1967 or 1968). Maulana Karenga's Oakland, California Black nationalist organization "US" was the first organization to celebrate Kwanzaa (in 1966).
In my adopted hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania there are some people who still use these Kwanzaa greetings. However, I often forget to use the "Kwanzaa Faraha"/ Nguza Saba day response.
Latest Revision: December 26, 2024
This pancocojams post provides information about Teresa Jennings' 2002 song "O Kwanzaa" and showcases video examples of that song.
An instrumental version of that song is also included in this post along with the song's lyrics and information about the meaning of the Swahili words in that song.
The Addendum to this post provides information about the Kwanzaa holiday and information about KiSwahili ("Swahili") language.
The content of this post is presented for cultural and educational purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Teresa Jennings, the composer of this song, and thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: O Kwanzaa
jennsahy, Published on Dec 22, 2008
2008 Prairie Hill School Holiday Program - 2nd Grade, Song 3
****
Example #2: Singing o kwanza
poodinker, Published on Dec 14, 2012
Xmas concert
****
Example #3: Oh Kwanzaa ,,,
Jonathan Perrin, Published on Dec 16, 2014
My son Rylen and his third grade class performing kwanzaa in there Christmas concert. 2014
****
Example #4: O Kwanzaa
****
INFORMATION ABOUT TERESA JENNINGS' SONG "O KWANZAA"
Judging from the number of YouTube videos of this song YouTube, and the comment from those videos' discussion threads, Teresa Jennings' 2002 composition "O Kwanzaa" is by far the most widely sung Kwanzaa song (for children, and perhaps also for adults) in the United States.
As demonstrated in these videos, "O Kwanzaa" is sung in elementary schools by young children of all races/ethnicities during these school's Christmas (or winter holiday) programs.
Here's information about that song from https://www.musick8.com/html/mk8_fullimage.php?volumeid=V13_2 Music K-8,
The Resource Magazine For Elementary And Middle School Music Teachers (Volume 13, Number 2, Plank Road Publishing, November 2002)
" O Kwanzaa by Teresa Jennings
To help you bring Kwanzaa to your students, consider using the song in this issue, "O Kwanzaa." It is a unique blend of hip hop, gospel, and African styles which students will enjoy. A pronunciation guide is included on the music for the Swahili words. The division of part 2 is optional (as is part 2 itself), but it adds distinctly to the flavor of the piece. Be sure students emphasize the crescendo/descresendo for the best results in all parts. Have them listen to the recording for reference. Also let them play along on their own Orff/percussion instruments using our suggested rhythms (see page 64) or creating their own. See if they can identify the African percussion used on the recording."
-snip-
Click https://www.musick8.com/html/tjbio.php for biographical information about Teresa Jennings. Please share any additional information that you know about this composer. Thanks!
****
LYRICS: O KWANZAA
(Teresa Jennings)
O-o-o Kwanzaa
O-o-o Kwanzaa
O-o-o Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa!
O-o-o Kwanzaa
O-o-o Kwanzaa
O-o-o Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa!
O-o o
Seven days of celebration
Nguzo Saba
Seven days of celebration
Habari gani
Seven days of celebration
Nguzo Saba
Seven days of celebration
Habari gani
Harambee!
[repeat the entire song again]
-snip-
The second and third "o" in this song are elongated].
****
PRONUNCIATION GUIDE TO THE KISWAHILI WORDS (AND THE MODIFIED KISWAHILI WORDS) IN THIS AFRICAN AMERICAN SONG
Kwanzaa:
pronounced KWAN-zah
Kwanzaa is an annual winter holiday that occurs December 6 - January 1. Each day of Kwanzaa showcases one "principle" for good living. These seven principles are collectively called "the Nguza Saba". [phonetically pronounced N-goo-sah SA-bah]
The Kwanzaa holiday was created in 1966 by African American activist Maulana Karenga. (The Arabic word "Maulana" is pronounced mawl-LAH-nah) and means "religious teacher". However, Kwanzaa isn't a religious holiday and Maulana Karenga wasn't the leader of a religious organization.)
The word "Kwanzaa" is based on the KiSwahili (Swahili) word "kwanza" which means "first". The longer name for this holiday is "Kwanzaa ya Matunda" (mah-TOON-dah) meaning "First Fruits". Kwanzaa is a partly patterned after African harvest festivals. (Notice the symbols of corn and other fall vegetables that are traditionally laid on the Kwanzaa mat representing "crops".)
Singing songs about Kwanzaa helps reinforce awareness of and appreciation of multiculturalism by presenting additional opportunities to learn about and celebrate African American culture. African cultures, and other Black cultures throughout the world.
Additional comments about incorporating information and songs about Kwanzaa in schools' curriculum are found in the Addendum below.
**
Habari gani:
(pronounced hah-BAH-ree GAH-nee)
A lot of articles about Kwanzaa give the English translation of the Swahili words "Habari gani" as "What's the news?"*. However, the English translation for the Swahili words "Habari gani" actually is "How are you?" Among African Americans (and, by extension, other people in the United States) an informal way of asking "How are you?" are "What's happening"*. A somewhat more formal way of saying "What's happening?" is "What's the news?" Other informal African American greetings that have the same meaning are "What's up?", "What's going on" and "How [are] you doing?"
*In the late 1960s and the 1970s the African American Vernacular (informal) English greeting "What's happening?" was relatively widely used among African Americans. For example, that phrase was the title of a nationally televised sit-com (situation comedy) series about an African American family. That sit com aired on ABC (one of the three major television channels ABC, CBS, & NBC, given in no particular order) from August 5, 1976, until April 28, 1979. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_Happening!! for information about that series.
Among African Americans (if not people who speak Swahili in East Africa and Central Africa), the response to "Habari gani" is the Swahili word "Njema" (meaning "good".) However, during the week of Kwanzaa, people are "supposed"* to use another greeting strategy- a person is "supposed to" greet other people with the words "Kwanzaa Furaka" (KWAN-zah foo-RAH-hah) meaning "Happy Kwanzaa". In response, people are supposed to respond with the name of the particular Kwanzaa (Nguza Saba) day. For instance, on the first day of Kwanzaa, when someone says "Kwanzaa Furaha" to another person, that person responds by saying "Umoja". This pattern continues throughout the week and on the last day of Kwanzaa, when someone says "Kwanzaa Furaha" to another person, that person replies "Imani".
*I recall using this greeting custom in the late 1960s shortly after (African American) Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa. However, I'm not sure if Maulana Karenga was the one who created this Kwanzaa greeting custom. Kwanzaa was celebrated by very few African Americans people in the 1960s and 1970s and very few African Americans actually celebrate Kwanzaa now (in 2022). Furthermore, in my experience, very few people who actually celebrate/d Kwanzaa are/were aware of and/or use/d this greeting custom that I've described above. This description is based on my affiliation in 1967-1969 with the Newark, New Jersey cultural nationalist organization Committee For Unified Newark (CFUN).CFUN was the first cultural origination in the east coast of the United States to celebrate Kwanzaa.(in 1967 or 1968). Maulana Karenga's Oakland, California Black nationalist organization "US" was the first organization to celebrate Kwanzaa (in 1966).
In my adopted hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania there are some people who still use these Kwanzaa greetings. However, I often forget to use the "Kwanzaa Faraha"/ Nguza Saba day response.
.
**
Nguzo Saba [pronounced n-GOO-zah SAH-bah]
Swahili words which are given the English meaning "seven principles" [refers to the principle (such as "unity" and "purpose") that is celebrated each day of the Kwanzaa holiday.
**
Harambee:
[pronounced hah=RAH-bay], usually with the last syllable elongated]
****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE KISWAHILI WORD "HARAMBEE"
From http://www.dictionary.com/browse/harambee
harambee
"Harambee
noun
1.
a work chant used on the E African coast
2.
a rallying cry used in Kenya
interjection
3.
a cry of harambee
Word Origin
Swahili: pull together"
-snip-
Among culturally afrocentric African Americans (meaning: African Americans who are interested in the the cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora and incorporate some of those cultural indices into their lives), "Harambee" is considered and used as an exclamation meaning "All pull together!" (Work together. Be unified.)
The motion that is "traditionally" used for "the Harambee! salute" is:
"...the elder leads the guests in the Harambee (ha-RAM-bee) salute. Each person raises their right fist about as high as their shoulder, then pulls down forcefully until the elbow is next to next to their torso, saying “Harambee!” This is done seven times in unison." http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/7days.htm
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I57I2Vhag20 [at around 1:21] for a clip of this motion.
-snip-
Added December 28, 2017]
I recall chanting "Harambee! All pull together!" (repeated one or more times and then ending in "Harambeeee!") when I was a member of the Black cultural nationalist organization The Committee For Unified Newark in the late 1960s.
While chanting "all pull together" we imitated pulling a rope toward our body like in the "tug of war" game.
***
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-swahili-terms-are-used-for-african.html for the 2015 pancocojams post entitled "Why Swahili Terms Are Used For The African American Originated Holiday Kwanzaa."
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harambee
"Harambee is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events, e.g. fundraising or development activities. Harambee literally means "all pull together" in Swahili, and is also the official motto of Kenya and appears on its coat of arms.
Harambee events may range from informal affairs lasting a few hours, in which invitations are spread by word of mouth, to formal, multi-day events advertised in newspapers. These events have long been important in parts of East Africa, as ways to build and maintain communities.
Following Kenya's independence in 1963, the first Prime Minister, and later first President of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta adopted "Harambee" as a concept of pulling the country together to build a new nation. He encouraged communities to work together to raise funds for all sorts of local projects, pledging that the government would provide their startup costs. Under this system, wealthy individuals wishing to get into politics could donate large amounts of money to local harambee drives, thereby gaining legitimacy; however, such practices were never institutionalised during Kenyatta's presidency.
A popular etymology deriving the term from the name of a Hind goddess, Amba Mata (a form of Durga riding a Tiger) has been proposed, supposedly via Hindu railway linesmen carrying loads of iron rails and sleeper blocks who would chant "har, har Ambe!" ("praise Amba") when working. The first president, Jomo Kenyatta has been said to have witnessed such a railway line team as it worked in cohesion and harmony and derived the term from there. This has led to criticism against the official use of the term on the part of Kenyan Christians. The actual etymology of the term is, however, cited as genuinely Bantu, from the Miji Kenda term halumbe "to pull or push together".[1] The objections have also been dismissed based on the that even if the supposed derivation were true, it has become irrelevant to the term's modern usage and meaning.[2]"
-snip-
Also, read the information about Swahili in the Addendum below.
****
ADDENDUM - INFORMATION ABOUT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ORIGINATED HOLIDAY "KWANZAA"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa
"Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the West African diaspora in the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving.[1] Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–67.
History and etymology
Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966, as the first specifically African-American holiday,[2] (but see also Juneteenth). According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest",[3] although a more conventional translation would simply be "first fruits". The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, especially in the 1960s, although most of the Atlantic slave trade that brought African people to America originated in West Africa.[4]
Kwanzaa is a celebration that has its roots in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s and was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzo Saba, the "seven principles of African Heritage" ...
Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.[8]
Principles and symbols
Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning "common". Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:[9]
Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Kwanzaa celebratory symbols include a mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed: a Kinara (candle holder), Mishumaa Saba (seven candles), mazao (crops), Muhindi (corn), a Kikombe cha Umoja (unity cup) for commemorating and giving shukrani (thanks) to African Ancestors, and Zawadi (gifts). Supplemental representations include a Nguzo Saba poster,[10] the black, red, and green bendera (flag), and African books and artworks – all to represent values and concepts reflective of African culture and contribution to community building and reinforcement.[11] Corn is the primary symbol for both decoration and celebratory dining.
Observance
... A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness, reflection on the Pan-African colors, a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and, finally, a feast (karamu). The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is Habari Gani?[16] which is Swahili for "How are you?"[17]
At first, observers of Kwanzaa avoided the mixing of the holiday or its symbols, values, and practice with other holidays, as doing so would violate the principle of kujichagulia (self-determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday, which is partially intended as a reclamation of important African values. Today, many African American families celebrate Kwanzaa along with Christmas and New Year's.[18] Frequently, both Christmas trees and kinaras, the traditional candle holder symbolic of African American roots, share space in Kwanzaa-celebrating households. For people who celebrate both holidays, Kwanzaa is an opportunity to incorporate elements of their particular ethnic heritage into holiday observances and celebrations of Christmas.
[...]
Popularity
In 2004, BIG Research conducted a marketing survey in the United States for the National Retail Foundation, which found that 1.6% of those surveyed planned to celebrate Kwanzaa. In a 2006 speech, Maulana Karenga asserted that 28 million people celebrate Kwanzaa. He has always claimed it is celebrated all over the world.[1] Lee D. Baker puts the number at 12 million.[22] The African American Cultural Center claimed 30 million in 2009.[23] In 2011, Keith Mayes said that 2 million people participated in Kwanzaa.[23]
According to University of Minnesota Professor Keith Mayes, the author of Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition, the popularity within the US has "leveled off" as the black power movement there has declined, and as of 2009 between 500 thousand and two million people celebrated Kwanzaa in the US, or between one and five percent of African Americans. Mayes added that white institutions now celebrate it.[12]
The holiday has also spread to Canada and is celebrated by Black Canadians in a similar fashion as in the United States.[24] According to the Language Portal of Canada, "this fairly new tradition has [also] gained in popularity in France, Great Britain, Jamaica and Brazil".[25]
In Brazil, in recent years the term Kwanzaa has been applied by a few institutions as a synonym for the festivities of the Black Awareness Day, commemorated on November 20 in honor of Zumbi dos Palmares,[26][27] having little to do with the celebration as it was originally conceived."...
-snip-
Italics added to highlight those sentences.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENT ABOUT THE INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION & SONGS ABOUT KWANZAA IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Kwanzaa is an annual winter holiday that occurs December 26 - January 1. Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, an African American activist.
My position is that the main purpose of incorporating a song or songs about Kwanzaa into elementary school's music and "social studies" curriculum is to help reinforce awareness and appreciation of multiculturalism by presenting additional opportunities to learn about African American cultures and Black African cultures.
However, it's important to teach that Kwanzaa is an African American created holiday which isn't traditionally celebrated in African nations. However, the idea for Kwanzaa partly comes from African harvest festivals such as the Homowo [ho-MOH-woh] festival in Ghana. (Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/ghanaian-harvest-festival-homowo.html for a pancocojams post about that festival.)
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-swahili-terms-are-used-for-african.html Why Swahili Terms Are Used For The African American Originated Holiday "Kwanzaa"
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/12/teddy-pendergrass-happy-kwanzaa-video.html Teddy Pendergrass - Happy Kwanzaa (video & lyrics)
Additional pancocojams posts about Kwanzaa can be found by clicking the Kwanzaa tag below.
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-history-meaning-of-red-black-and.html for a related pancocojams post entitled The History And Meaning Of The Red, Black, And Green Flag
-snip-
My comments about the concept of Kwanzaa being patterned after African "first fruits" harvest festivals are based on internet sources as well as my memories as an early celebrant of Kwanzaa (in 1967-1969) when I was a member of the cultural nationalist organization The Committee For Unified Newark (CFUN), based in Newark, New Jersey.
CFUN, led by Imamu Amiri Baraka (formerly known as LeRoi Jones), was the first organization in the East Coast to celebrate and promote the African American holiday Kwanzaa (in 1967 or 1968) . Maulana Ron Karenga's Oakland, California cultural nationalist organization named "Us" (which had some significant differences from CFUN) was the first organization in the United States to promote and celebrate Kwanzaa (in 1966).
****
INFORMATION ABOUT SWAHILI (KISWAHILI) LANGUAGE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swahili_language
"Swahili, also known as Kiswahili (translation: coast language[7]), is a Bantu language and the first language of the Swahili people. It is a lingua franca of the African Great Lakes region and other parts of eastern and south-eastern Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)...
Estimates of the total number of Swahili speakers vary widely, from 50 million to over 100 million.[2] Swahili serves as a national language of four nations: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and the DRC.[citation needed] Shikomor, the official language in Comoros and also spoken in Mayotte (Shimaore), is related to Swahili.[10] Swahili is also one of the working languages of the African Union and officially recognised as a lingua franca of the East African Community.[11]
A significant fraction of Swahili vocabulary is derived from Arabic through contact with Arabic-speaking Muslim inhabitants of the Swahili Coast.[12]"...
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comment are welcome.
Nguzo Saba [pronounced n-GOO-zah SAH-bah]
Swahili words which are given the English meaning "seven principles" [refers to the principle (such as "unity" and "purpose") that is celebrated each day of the Kwanzaa holiday.
**
Harambee:
[pronounced hah=RAH-bay], usually with the last syllable elongated]
****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE KISWAHILI WORD "HARAMBEE"
From http://www.dictionary.com/browse/harambee
harambee
"Harambee
noun
1.
a work chant used on the E African coast
2.
a rallying cry used in Kenya
interjection
3.
a cry of harambee
Word Origin
Swahili: pull together"
-snip-
Among culturally afrocentric African Americans (meaning: African Americans who are interested in the the cultures of Africa and the African Diaspora and incorporate some of those cultural indices into their lives), "Harambee" is considered and used as an exclamation meaning "All pull together!" (Work together. Be unified.)
The motion that is "traditionally" used for "the Harambee! salute" is:
"...the elder leads the guests in the Harambee (ha-RAM-bee) salute. Each person raises their right fist about as high as their shoulder, then pulls down forcefully until the elbow is next to next to their torso, saying “Harambee!” This is done seven times in unison." http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/7days.htm
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I57I2Vhag20 [at around 1:21] for a clip of this motion.
-snip-
Added December 28, 2017]
I recall chanting "Harambee! All pull together!" (repeated one or more times and then ending in "Harambeeee!") when I was a member of the Black cultural nationalist organization The Committee For Unified Newark in the late 1960s.
While chanting "all pull together" we imitated pulling a rope toward our body like in the "tug of war" game.
***
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-swahili-terms-are-used-for-african.html for the 2015 pancocojams post entitled "Why Swahili Terms Are Used For The African American Originated Holiday Kwanzaa."
**
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harambee
"Harambee is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events, e.g. fundraising or development activities. Harambee literally means "all pull together" in Swahili, and is also the official motto of Kenya and appears on its coat of arms.
Harambee events may range from informal affairs lasting a few hours, in which invitations are spread by word of mouth, to formal, multi-day events advertised in newspapers. These events have long been important in parts of East Africa, as ways to build and maintain communities.
Following Kenya's independence in 1963, the first Prime Minister, and later first President of Kenya, Jomo Kenyatta adopted "Harambee" as a concept of pulling the country together to build a new nation. He encouraged communities to work together to raise funds for all sorts of local projects, pledging that the government would provide their startup costs. Under this system, wealthy individuals wishing to get into politics could donate large amounts of money to local harambee drives, thereby gaining legitimacy; however, such practices were never institutionalised during Kenyatta's presidency.
A popular etymology deriving the term from the name of a Hind goddess, Amba Mata (a form of Durga riding a Tiger) has been proposed, supposedly via Hindu railway linesmen carrying loads of iron rails and sleeper blocks who would chant "har, har Ambe!" ("praise Amba") when working. The first president, Jomo Kenyatta has been said to have witnessed such a railway line team as it worked in cohesion and harmony and derived the term from there. This has led to criticism against the official use of the term on the part of Kenyan Christians. The actual etymology of the term is, however, cited as genuinely Bantu, from the Miji Kenda term halumbe "to pull or push together".[1] The objections have also been dismissed based on the that even if the supposed derivation were true, it has become irrelevant to the term's modern usage and meaning.[2]"
-snip-
Also, read the information about Swahili in the Addendum below.
****
ADDENDUM - INFORMATION ABOUT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ORIGINATED HOLIDAY "KWANZAA"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa
"Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the West African diaspora in the Americas. The celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture, and is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving.[1] Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba). It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966–67.
History and etymology
Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966, as the first specifically African-American holiday,[2] (but see also Juneteenth). According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest",[3] although a more conventional translation would simply be "first fruits". The choice of Swahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, especially in the 1960s, although most of the Atlantic slave trade that brought African people to America originated in West Africa.[4]
Kwanzaa is a celebration that has its roots in the black nationalist movement of the 1960s and was established as a means to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage by uniting in meditation and study of African traditions and Nguzo Saba, the "seven principles of African Heritage" ...
Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.[8]
Principles and symbols
Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of African Heritage), which Karenga said "is a communitarian African philosophy," consisting of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning "common". Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:[9]
Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Kwanzaa celebratory symbols include a mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed: a Kinara (candle holder), Mishumaa Saba (seven candles), mazao (crops), Muhindi (corn), a Kikombe cha Umoja (unity cup) for commemorating and giving shukrani (thanks) to African Ancestors, and Zawadi (gifts). Supplemental representations include a Nguzo Saba poster,[10] the black, red, and green bendera (flag), and African books and artworks – all to represent values and concepts reflective of African culture and contribution to community building and reinforcement.[11] Corn is the primary symbol for both decoration and celebratory dining.
Observance
... A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness, reflection on the Pan-African colors, a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and, finally, a feast (karamu). The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is Habari Gani?[16] which is Swahili for "How are you?"[17]
At first, observers of Kwanzaa avoided the mixing of the holiday or its symbols, values, and practice with other holidays, as doing so would violate the principle of kujichagulia (self-determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday, which is partially intended as a reclamation of important African values. Today, many African American families celebrate Kwanzaa along with Christmas and New Year's.[18] Frequently, both Christmas trees and kinaras, the traditional candle holder symbolic of African American roots, share space in Kwanzaa-celebrating households. For people who celebrate both holidays, Kwanzaa is an opportunity to incorporate elements of their particular ethnic heritage into holiday observances and celebrations of Christmas.
[...]
Popularity
In 2004, BIG Research conducted a marketing survey in the United States for the National Retail Foundation, which found that 1.6% of those surveyed planned to celebrate Kwanzaa. In a 2006 speech, Maulana Karenga asserted that 28 million people celebrate Kwanzaa. He has always claimed it is celebrated all over the world.[1] Lee D. Baker puts the number at 12 million.[22] The African American Cultural Center claimed 30 million in 2009.[23] In 2011, Keith Mayes said that 2 million people participated in Kwanzaa.[23]
According to University of Minnesota Professor Keith Mayes, the author of Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition, the popularity within the US has "leveled off" as the black power movement there has declined, and as of 2009 between 500 thousand and two million people celebrated Kwanzaa in the US, or between one and five percent of African Americans. Mayes added that white institutions now celebrate it.[12]
The holiday has also spread to Canada and is celebrated by Black Canadians in a similar fashion as in the United States.[24] According to the Language Portal of Canada, "this fairly new tradition has [also] gained in popularity in France, Great Britain, Jamaica and Brazil".[25]
In Brazil, in recent years the term Kwanzaa has been applied by a few institutions as a synonym for the festivities of the Black Awareness Day, commemorated on November 20 in honor of Zumbi dos Palmares,[26][27] having little to do with the celebration as it was originally conceived."...
-snip-
Italics added to highlight those sentences.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENT ABOUT THE INCORPORATION OF INFORMATION & SONGS ABOUT KWANZAA IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Kwanzaa is an annual winter holiday that occurs December 26 - January 1. Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, an African American activist.
My position is that the main purpose of incorporating a song or songs about Kwanzaa into elementary school's music and "social studies" curriculum is to help reinforce awareness and appreciation of multiculturalism by presenting additional opportunities to learn about African American cultures and Black African cultures.
However, it's important to teach that Kwanzaa is an African American created holiday which isn't traditionally celebrated in African nations. However, the idea for Kwanzaa partly comes from African harvest festivals such as the Homowo [ho-MOH-woh] festival in Ghana. (Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/11/ghanaian-harvest-festival-homowo.html for a pancocojams post about that festival.)
It appears to me that only a small percentage of African Americans celebrate
Kwanzaa. My sense is that those people who celebrate Kwanzaa usually combine
that celebration with their observances of Christmas and New Years. The colors
for the African American flag are red, black, and green and pan-African colors
are red, green, and gold. All of thee colors, and in particular red, black, and
green are considered the colors for Kwanzaa. The fact that these colors are
very similar to the red and green Christmas decorations makes it quite easy to
combine Christmas decorations with Kwanzaa decorations.
It also should be noted that December 26th is also the first day of Hanukkah. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah for information about Hanukkah whose candle holding symbol and multiple days of celebration were used as a model for the Kwanzaa holiday.
Also, click these links below for two other pancocojams post about Kwanzaa:http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/12/why-swahili-terms-are-used-for-african.html Why Swahili Terms Are Used For The African American Originated Holiday "Kwanzaa"
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/12/teddy-pendergrass-happy-kwanzaa-video.html Teddy Pendergrass - Happy Kwanzaa (video & lyrics)
Additional pancocojams posts about Kwanzaa can be found by clicking the Kwanzaa tag below.
Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-history-meaning-of-red-black-and.html for a related pancocojams post entitled The History And Meaning Of The Red, Black, And Green Flag
-snip-
My comments about the concept of Kwanzaa being patterned after African "first fruits" harvest festivals are based on internet sources as well as my memories as an early celebrant of Kwanzaa (in 1967-1969) when I was a member of the cultural nationalist organization The Committee For Unified Newark (CFUN), based in Newark, New Jersey.
CFUN, led by Imamu Amiri Baraka (formerly known as LeRoi Jones), was the first organization in the East Coast to celebrate and promote the African American holiday Kwanzaa (in 1967 or 1968) . Maulana Ron Karenga's Oakland, California cultural nationalist organization named "Us" (which had some significant differences from CFUN) was the first organization in the United States to promote and celebrate Kwanzaa (in 1966).
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INFORMATION ABOUT SWAHILI (KISWAHILI) LANGUAGE
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swahili_language
"Swahili, also known as Kiswahili (translation: coast language[7]), is a Bantu language and the first language of the Swahili people. It is a lingua franca of the African Great Lakes region and other parts of eastern and south-eastern Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)...
Estimates of the total number of Swahili speakers vary widely, from 50 million to over 100 million.[2] Swahili serves as a national language of four nations: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and the DRC.[citation needed] Shikomor, the official language in Comoros and also spoken in Mayotte (Shimaore), is related to Swahili.[10] Swahili is also one of the working languages of the African Union and officially recognised as a lingua franca of the East African Community.[11]
A significant fraction of Swahili vocabulary is derived from Arabic through contact with Arabic-speaking Muslim inhabitants of the Swahili Coast.[12]"...
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