Kwanzaa & Christmas Markets Set To Be Held
The Black Collective will be hosting the Kwanzaa/Christmas Market on the second floor of the Victoria Building on Front Street, with the Markets set to take place from 5.30-9.30pm each Friday, and 10.00am – 6.00pm each Saturday in December.
The group said, “In May 2016, we hosted the African Rhythm Extravaganza and Fashion Show. At this event local entrepreneurs participated in a day long open air market, and in the evening there was a fashion show highlighting the CultureWear fashion line where fashions were designed by Bermudian Lynelle Furbert and produced by Ghanaian artisans using Ghanaian fabrics.
“This event was under the distinguished patronage of the Honourary Consul for Ghana, Dr. Teye-Botchway and his wife. Dr.Teye-Botchway is from Ghana and his wife, Renita Botchway is Bermudian.
Slideshow of the African Rhythm Extravaganza and Fashion Show in May of this year:
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“In July and August we hosted our summer Saturday Market in the parking lot owned by the Manchester Unity Lodge and operated by the Bermuda Industrial Union. The BIU allowed us use of the area free of charge so we were able to offer local vendors the opportunity to set up and sell there free of charge.
“This month we will host the Kwanzaa/Christmas Market on the second floor of the Victoria Building at 135 Front Street, Hamilton, the building with the veranda just before the John Swan building.
“The use of this building by the Black Collective is particularly significant as the building is an example of African Bermudian entrepreneurship as it has been owned by the Clarence Orister Darrell family for more than 100 years.
“The Market will take from 5.30-9.30pm each Friday and 10.00am – 6.00pm each Saturday in December. There are some spaces left for vendors who would like to join the Market. Email Maxine Esdaille at blessedbabe77@hotmail.com or call 504-7749 for information.
“We see this venture as another opportunity to provide local entrepreneurs the opportunity to sell their products but also as an opportunity to highlight our African Bermudian culture.
“The opportunity to include a focus on Kwanzaa is particularly significant this year as 2016 is the 50th anniversary of the Kwanzaa tradition. Dr. Maulana ‘Ron’ Karenga, Professor and Chair of the African Studies Department of California State University-Long Beach, is the founder and creator of Kwanzaa – A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture.
“Kwanzaa is not a religious celebration and is not designed to replace Christmas. As Dr. Karenga states in 2015 ‘…at the heart …of …Kwanzaa is its concern with and stress on embracing and practicing its core values, the Nguzo Saba, The Seven Principles and related African communitarian values.”
“During the Kwanzaa/Christmas Market, in addition to offering persons the opportunity to purchase gifts for Christmas, we will be sharing the values, principles and traditional crafts of Kwanzaa. Information on Kwanzaa will be available at the Market.
“Specific activities will include: Friday 9th December, starting at 6.00pm Mr. Ras Mykkal will be there to sign his books – the Butterfly series and Click; Saturday, 17th December, 12.00-2.00pm, Mrs. Shirley Pearman will sign her new book Hands On!; 1.00-4.00pm – craft activities for children and adults; Saturday 24th December – getting ready for Kwanzaa; Saturday 31st December – Karamu – 4.00-6.00pm- by invitation only [for vendors and children only].”
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