Magical things usually happen to me in 3’s and as I reflect upon what 2023 gifted me, I give thankhs for all the sweet inspiration wrapped within my observance of Kwanzaa. I am nu to the cultural practice thankhs to being called upon last year to speak on the principle of Nia (purpose) at the Historic Beach Institute just before facilitating my last drum circle of 2022. What made that experience even sweeter was the fact that the guests and I were surrounded by large format works from my very first solo art exhibit, which was on view for over a month within the main gallery space.
The experience and exhibit were abundantly successful but the icing on the cake was the deep inner certainty that I am walking in my purpose…all of it.
In fact, I feel the purpose of life for all of us is to INjoy it and I’m gr8ful to do so every chance I get.
Number 1
The menu of magic kicked off with a request from Cyndi Satlow, of Tribe Savannah. She and I met at a drum circle I hosted at the islands library February of 2022. She called on me to come drum for the Kwanzaa portion of her 2nd annual Multicultural Holiday Dance Party. She introduced me to the kind soul of Stephanie so we could provide a dance groove for the children while we sang - Funga Alafia.
The party was LIT and inspired me to see the sacredness of the winter solstice from the perspectives of several cultures in a fun and active way. In addition to Kwanzaa we learned about Buena Noche, Hanukkah and Santa Claus even pulled up to dance with us.
Number 2
Second on the menu of magic was my invitation to come drum for the first night of Kwanzaa, officiated by Savannah’s own Master storyteller, Lillian Grant-Baptiste. It was a blessing to make history as she would be the first to conduct a Kwanzaa ceremony at the JW Marriot on the river. Minutes before Ase Blue my djembe drum, and I hopped in the Uber, I got a call from Ms. Grant-Baptiste asking if I could sing for key portions of her story due to the fact that her original singer wouldn’t be able to make it in time.
In addition to playing Ase to compliment Ms. Grant- Baptiste’s awe inspiring storytelling, I sang I’ll Fly Away and Down By the Riverside with a standing room only group of multicultural and multi generational souls. Both of these hymns are deeply woven into the tapestry of my upbringing in the church so it felt so good to blend sacredness from my childhood with my drum and now self who has developed a deeper appreciation for those who have come before me.
Number 3
Third on the menu of magic was an invitation granted to me this past summer after a great interview with Brother Jamal Touré. He and Alderwoman Kesha Gibson-Carter hosted a city wide Kwanzaa Krawl for the weeklong observance. I chose to speak on Ujamaa (collective economics) at the Odessey 2.0. It was a well attended experience and it felt so good to share my thoughts, my drum, and my dance moves with fellow Savannah community members, elected officials, youth and business owners.
In all this magic, I am most grateful to realize that Kwanzaa is so much more than a typical cookie cutter holiday. To me, it is a culturally rich and customized gift that keeps on giving through principles we can all interpret, practice and benefit in each and every day of the year.
I thankh you for tuning in dear soul. I pray you find value in my flow and are encouraged to honor the beat of your own drum. You never know where the journey may take you but allow my expressions to serve as an example that the ride can be quite groovy.
Stay tuned to future posts so I can give you the skinny on how the drum called me - a call I am so glad I answered.
Dive into the Inspiration
Scroll below and enjoy the full video of my reflections on the principle of Nia last year and the drum circle we experienced afterward.
Thankhs again for tuning in.
with Abundalove,
Temakha ✨️