SAGINAW -- Several dozen residents gathered at the Sojourner Truth Community Theater in Saginaw to kick off a week long celebration of Kwanzaa Monday night.
Kwanzaa celebrates seven principles which include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibilty, cooperative economics, creativity and faith.
"it's not a replacement for Christmas or Hannukah or whatever else you might do. Basically it's a cultural holiday," said Saginaw resident Assegid Mersha.
Organizers say this Kwanzaa event isn't just about coming together and celebrating community and family it's about honoring the history and culture of African-Americans.
"We've been taught a fabricated history. We are the mothers and fathers of civilization . Civilization began in Africa," said Elder Art Smith. "it's a time that we commemorate our ancestors and to learn from the legacy they left behind.
Kwanzaa is observed Dec. 26th to Jan. 1st.
Kwanzaa will be celebrated at the Sojourner Truth Community Theatre starting at 6:00 p.m. Nightly until Dec. 31st.
