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65-684: Beginning in 1966 a unique "First Fruits" celebration brought the Ancient African harvest festivals that became the African American holiday, Kwanzaa . The first fruits of the field were offered to Priapus . In Classical Athens the First Fruits were called an offering of aparche . Except during times of war, this would be a major source of funds for the temples of the Eleusinian goddesses, Demeter and Kore . Much of

130-411: A 2019 National Retail Federation poll, 2.6 percent of people who planned to celebrate a winter holiday said they would celebrate Kwanzaa. Starting in the 1990s, the holiday became increasingly commercialized, with the first Hallmark card being sold in 1992. Some have expressed concern about this potentially damaging the holiday's values. The first Kwanzaa stamp, designed by Synthia Saint James ,

195-465: A much larger affair. In return for the offering, 'there will be many benefits in abundance of good harvests if they are men who do not injure the Athenians'. The reward, therefore, although it could only be guaranteed by the gods, was conditional on not injuring Athens. The decree cannot be dated precisely, however the combination of specific religious policy and Athenian political dominance evident here

260-658: 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 of faith (Karamu Ya Imani). The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is Habari Gani? , which is Swahili for "How are you?" At first, observers of Kwanzaa avoided

325-412: A specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority , (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies Dionysia The Dionysia ( / ˌ d aɪ . ə ˈ n ɪ z i . ə , ˌ d aɪ . ə ˈ n ɪ ʃ i . ə , ˌ d aɪ . ə ˈ n ɪ ʃ ə / ; Greek : Διονύσια) was a large festival in ancient Athens in honor of the god Dionysus ,

390-527: Is celebrated in provinces including Saskatchewan and Ontario . Kwanzaa week was first declared in Toronto in 2018. There are local chapters that emerged in the 2010s in provinces like British Columbia , where there are much smaller groups of the diaspora, founding members may be immigrants from countries like Uganda . (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to

455-403: Is noted in a loan cited in the stone record, of over 20,000 silver drachmas to the city. Inscription IG I 76 shows the provisions made for the offering of first fruits to Demeter and Kore by Athenian demes , Athens' allies and other Greek cities. It sets out that one six-hundredth of the barley crop and one twelve-hundredth of the wheat was to be offered to the goddesses. The proposal for

520-625: Is relevant throughout Athens' imperial period. It is an example of Athens striving to advertise her claims to leadership in Greece, whilst simultaneously binding herself more closely with her allies. Similar to this is the expectation that allies would bring annual tribute to the City Dionysia , and sacrificial contributions to the Panathenaea . In ancient Judaism , bikkurim were a type of sacrificial offering. In each agricultural season,

585-492: Is unknown whether they were performed continuously on one day, or over the course of the five-day festival. Until 449 BC, only dramatic works were awarded prizes in the agon, but after that time, actors also became eligible for recognition. It was considered a great honour to win the comedic prize at the City Dionysia, despite the belief that comedies were of secondary importance. The Lenaia festival, held earlier in

650-486: The kōmos (κῶμος), occurred afterwards, which was most likely a drunken revelry through the streets. The next day, the playwrights announced the titles of the plays to be performed, and judges were selected by lot: the " proagōn " (προαγών, "pre-contest"). It is unknown where the proagōn originally took place, but after the mid-5th century BC, it was held in the Odeon of Pericles on the foot of Acropolis . The proagōn

715-565: The Eastern Orthodox Church the offering of first fruits takes the form of a thanksgiving and blessing. The produce is then consumed by the faithful rather than being given to the Church (though it may be donated as a free-will offering ). The liturgical concept behind the blessing is the faithful offering back to God a token of that which he in his lovingkindness has provided, God blessing these first fruits and returning them to

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780-519: The Middle Ages the concept of offering the first fruits was adapted by the Christian church. This was called a tithe and was basically a tax to support the local clergy and the facility. In England , every tenth egg , sheaf of wheat , lamb , chicken , and all other animals were given to the church as a tithe, so farm products were expected to be donated throughout the year. In France ,

845-579: The Theatre of Dionysus . The archons, epimeletai , and judges ( agonothetai – ἀγωνοθἐται ) watched from the front row. The other two days of the festival were likely devoted to dithyrambic contests until 487/6 BC, when comic poets were officially admitted to the agons and eligible for their own prizes. Each of five comic writers presented a single play (except during the Peloponnesian War , when only three plays were performed), though it

910-412: The basileus , to whom religious festivals were given when the office of archon was created in the 7th century BC. The archon prepared for the City Dionysia as soon as he was elected, by choosing his two páredroi (πάρεδροι, "reeves", literally: "by the chair") and ten epimelētai (ἐπιμεληταί, "curators") to help organize the festival. On the first day of the festival, the pompē ("pomp", "procession")

975-534: The pompe here, as in the Rural Dionysia. During the height of the Athenian Empire in the mid-5th century BC, various gifts and weapons showcasing Athens' strength were carried as well. Also included in the procession were bulls to be sacrificed in the theatre. The most conspicuous members of the procession were the chorēgoí (χορηγοί, "sponsors", literally: "chorus leaders"), who were dressed in

1040-408: The pompe procession was completed, there were contests of dancing and singing, and choruses (led by a choregos ) would perform dithyrambs . Some festivals may have included dramatic performances, possibly of the tragedies and comedies that had been produced at the City Dionysia the previous year. This was more common in the larger towns, such as Piraeus , Eleusis and Icaria/Ikarion. Because

1105-622: The southern solstice . Karenga was partly inspired by an account he read of the Zulu festival Umkhosi Wokweshwama . It was decided to spell the holiday's name with an additional "a" so that it would have a symbolic seven letters. During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said it was meant to be an alternative to Christmas . He believed Jesus was psychotic and Christianity was a "White" religion that Black people should shun. As Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so practicing Christians would not be alienated, stating in

1170-754: The 1997 book Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture that "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday." Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas. After its creation in California , Kwanzaa spread outside the United States. In December 2022, Reverend Al Sharpton , Mayor Eric Adams , businessman Robert F. Smith , Reverend Conrad Tillard , Rabbi Shmuley Boteach , and Elisha Wiesel joined to celebrate Kwanzaa and Hanukkah together at Carnegie Hall . Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called

1235-662: The First Fruits blessed at the church has been celebrated through the feast of Lammas (Loaf Mass Day) in Western Christianity. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the 'first fruits' tradition is kept during the Feast of the Transfiguration , held on August 6. In Christian denominations, the tithe is given as a donation or offering serving as a primary source of income to maintain the religious leaders and facilities; offerings are funds or resources given beyond

1300-466: The Lord may bless them, that they may be to us unto rejoicing, and that He may accept a gift of these fruits unto the cleansing of our sins". As the harvest season progresses, the first fruits of each species can be brought to the church to be blessed, using a similar format, but a different prayer: "that the Lord may receive our gift unto His eternal treasury and grant us an abundance of earthly goods". In

1365-495: The Rural Dionysia in his play The Acharnians . The City Dionysia ( Dionysia ta en Astei – Διονύσια τὰ ἐν Ἄστει , also known as the Great Dionysia, Dionysia ta Megala – Διονύσια τὰ Μεγάλα ) was the urban part of the festival, possibly established during the tyranny of Peisistratus in the 6th century BC . This festival was held probably from the 10th to the 16th of the month Elaphebolion (the lunar month straddling

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1430-690: The Spirit of Kwanzaa, an annual celebration held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featuring interpretive dance , African dance , song and poetry. A Karamu Ya Imani ( Feast of Faith ) is a feast that typically takes place on December 31, the sixth day of the Kwanzaa period. The Karamu feast was developed in Chicago during a 1971 citywide movement of Pan-African organizations. It

1495-607: The agricultural offering was sold by the temple with the proceeds being used to pay for the daily upkeep of the temple complex. Under Pericles ' rule, it became a way of extending Athens' power. The Demos or voting citizens would control the operation of the temple by elected boards. During times of war or for other necessity the Demos would borrow money from the treasury of the temple. Neighboring cities under Athens' control were required to give offerings from their harvests. This served to enrich Athens and extend her power. Much of this

1560-542: The amount of the tithe. First Corinthians, in the New Testament , referred to Jesus' resurrection as a type of First Fruit, "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep." In the canonical gospels , the harvest of First Fruits is used metaphorically and allegorically . In the Gospel of Matthew , Jesus is described as stating that "in the time of harvest" he would instruct

1625-503: The area participate, including Stuyvesant and Regis . Adaptations are cut to twenty minutes, and source plays have included The Bacchae by Euripides and the entire collection of Ovid's Metamorphoses . Educational charity The Iris Project holds a Dionysia Festival every year with Year Eight students from Cheney School, who adapt and modernise Aristophanes plays. The festival is usually hosted at Corpus Christi College, Oxford. Modern followers of Hellenism celebrate Dionysia as

1690-612: The central events of which were the theatrical performances of dramatic tragedies and, from 487 BC, comedies . It was the second-most important festival after the Panathenaia . The Dionysia actually consisted of two related festivals, the Rural Dionysia and the City Dionysia , which took place in different parts of the year. They were also an essential part of the Dionysian Mysteries . The Dionysia

1755-468: The decree came from a special board of 'draftsmen' (syngrapheis), which suggests that the matter was deemed relatively complicated. Sacrifices were to be paid for out of the proceeds from the barley and wheat, votive offerings were to be made to the two goddesses, and the rest of the grain was to be sold. There were clearly concerns that some allies might avoid offering grain by claiming that they had come to Athens but never been received by officials there. So,

1820-633: The draft decree: that the decree should be inscribed on stelai both in Eleusis and in Athens, that there should be an intercalary month in the following year, and that the Pelargikon (sacred land around the western end of the Acropolis ) should be tidied up and protected. This demonstrates the authority which he gained from his expertise as a seer – notable since the Athenians tended to shy away from

1885-595: The faithful for their benefit and blessing. The blessing of first fruits traditionally begins on the Great Feast of the Transfiguration (August 6), with the blessing of grapes . In localities where grapes are not grown, other early-ripening fruits such as apples may be offered. There is a special ceremony at the end of the Divine Liturgy at which the priest blesses the first fruits, asking "that

1950-701: The first-grown fruits were brought to the Temple and laid by the altar, and a special declaration recited. The command to bring first-fruits to the Temple appears in the Torah , in Exodus 23:19 and Deuteronomy 26:1–11 . The latter passage records the declaration (also known as the Avowal) which was recited upon presenting the first-fruits to the priest ( Deuteronomy 26:3–10 ). The detailed laws of this offering were recorded by

2015-699: The following practices: The popularity of celebration of Kwanzaa has declined with the waning of the popularity of the black separatist movement. Kwanzaa observation has declined in both community and commercial contexts. University of Minnesota Professor Keith Mayes did not report exact figures, noting that it is also difficult to determine these for the three other main African-American holidays, which he names as Martin Luther King Jr. Day , Malcolm X Day , and Juneteenth . Mayes added that white institutions now also celebrate it. In

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2080-452: The glory of Athens from before the devastation of the Peloponnesian War . Nevertheless, plays continued to be written and performed until the 2nd century BC, when new works of both comedy and tragedy seem to have been eliminated. After that point drama continued to be produced, but prizes were awarded to wealthy producers and famous actors rather than the long-dead playwrights whose work was being performed. Another procession and celebration

2145-640: The harvesters (i.e., the angels ) to gather the "tares", bind them into bundles, and burn them, but to "gather the wheat into [his] barn" ( Matthew 13:30 ). Some argue that this teaching is about the Last Judgment rather than offering any thanksgiving to a deity, the “tares” being sinners or unbelievers of God and his son Jesus and the "wheat" being believers of God, although it also fits the rapture as noted in Matthew 24:31 and Revelation 14:4 . Other Christians, as well as early Gnostic writers, argued it

2210-485: The inscription insists that the Hieropoioi accept the grain within five days, or otherwise be subject to a substantial fine of 1000 drachmas. In order to draw in other Greeks, the Hieropoioi were then to record the weight of grain received on a board and distribute it to other cities, encouraging them to contribute. Lampon, a renowned seer in fifth-century Athens, moved a rider in which he proposed several changes to

2275-592: The literal meaning of "First Mass", repeated a limited amount of times. The first-fruits of such a priest's power-to-bless are held in alike esteem. In the Book of Mormon , a canon of scripture used by the Latter Day Saint movement , a similar passage is found stating "the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass

2340-410: 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, some African American families celebrate Kwanzaa along with Christmas and New Year . Cultural exhibitions include

2405-414: The most expensive and ornate clothing. After the pompē , the chorēgoí led their choruses in the dithyrambic competitions. These were extremely competitive, and the best flute players and celebrity poets (such as Simonides and Pindar ) offered their musical and lyrical services. After these competitions, the bulls were sacrificed, and a feast was held for all the citizens of Athens. A second procession,

2470-585: The payment new clerics made to the bishop or the Pope of all profits from the territory the new cleric controlled. This payment was called both Annates and First Fruits. A less agricultural sort of First Fruits ( primitiae in Latin) is the "Primice" as it is called in some languages, that is, the First Mass said by a newly ordained priest; it is customarily celebrated with special magnificence, and even, despite

2535-403: The playwright Euripides . His plays, along with other fifth-century BC writers, were often re-staged during this period. At least one revival was presented each year at City Dionysia. It has been suggested that audiences may have preferred to see well-known plays re-staged, rather than financially support new plays of questionable quality; or alternately, that revivals represented a nostalgia for

2600-783: The practice of the dominant society." For Karenga, a figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of such holidays also underscored the essential premise that "you must have a cultural revolution before the violent revolution. The cultural revolution gives identity, purpose, and direction." According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza , meaning "first fruits". First fruits festivals exist in Southern Africa and are celebrated in December/January with

2665-526: The present day, as a celebration of humanity (see Nietzsche's or Aristotle's take) and an exposition of culture. The University of Houston's Center for Creative works produces and performs an adaptation each spring. The purpose of the enterprise is to educate and entertain, and adaptations occasionally go beyond Greek theater for inspiration (for example, the 2013 Spring adaptation of the Iliad , titled Ilium ). Collaborators flock from all over America and

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2730-511: The principles, as follows: Kwanzaa celebratory symbols include a mat ( Mkeka ) on which other symbols are placed: Supplemental representations include a Nguzo Saba poster, 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. Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art, colorful African cloth such as kente , especially

2795-448: The productions themselves are quite popular, selling out on all ticketed venues. The New York Classical Club, through Fordham University's Classics Department, stages a competition every April wherein groups of high school students produce unique adaptations of the same play. The competition aims to engage the themes and style of the ancient plays with renewed vigor and an accessible, thought provoking frame. Several notable schools from

2860-580: The rabbis in the Bikkurim tractate of the Talmud . In Christianity, the Old Testament , "when the harvest ripened the priest went into the field and gathered a sheaf of first-ripened grain. Then he took that sheaf into the temple and waved it before the Lord." The Didache of the early Church enjoined firstfruits be given of "money, clothes, and all of your possessions" (13:7). The practice of having

2925-403: The recognition of experts in most fields. The motivation behind the offering of first fruits is a combination of three religious factors: the need to honour the two goddesses, obedience to Apollo (in the form of the oracle), and 'ancestral custom'. The last two factors suggest that a recent oracle was in line with an older practice which had either fallen into disuse, or was being transformed into

2990-536: The resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God". Lughnasadh Kwanzaa Kwanzaa ( / ˈ k w ɑː n . z ə / ) is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu , usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga , based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West , East , as well as Southeast Africa . Kwanzaa

3055-474: The seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba  – the seven principles of African Heritage). They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles are all Swahili words, and together comprise the Kawaida or "common" philosophy, a synthesis of nationalist, pan-Africanist, and socialist values. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of

3120-494: The tithes—called la dîme —were a land and agricultural tax. The offering of first fruits was also referred to as new fruits. In French churches in the Middle Ages, new fruits were at given seasons presented at Mass for blessing. The blessed fruits were kept by the church and divided between the clergy and the poor. Similar customs during the Middle Ages could be found in all European countries. First Fruits also refers to

3185-511: The various towns in Attica held their festivals on different days, it was possible for spectators to visit more than one festival per season. It was also an opportunity for Athenian citizens to travel outside the city if they did not have the opportunity to do so during the rest of the year. This also allowed travelling companies of actors to perform in more than one town during the period of the festival. The comic playwright Aristophanes parodied

3250-401: The vernal equinox, i.e., Mar.-Apr in the solar calendar), three months after the rural Dionysia, probably to celebrate the end of winter and the harvesting of the year's crops. According to tradition, the festival was established after Eleutherae , a town on the border between Attica and Boeotia , had chosen to become part of Attica. The Eleuthereans brought a statue of Dionysus to Athens, which

3315-491: The wearing of kaftans by women, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. Libations are shared, generally with a common chalice, Kikombe cha Umoja , passed around to all celebrants. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa. "Joyous Kwanzaa" may be used as a greeting during the holiday. A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations,

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3380-482: The word "tragedy" (which means "goat-song"). During the fifth century BC, five days of the festival were set aside for performance, though scholars disagree exactly what was presented each day. At least three full days were devoted to tragic plays, and each of three playwrights presented his set of three tragedies and one satyr play on the successive days. Most of the extant Greek tragedies, including those of Aeschylus , Euripides , and Sophocles , were performed at

3445-408: The year, featured comedy more prominently and officially recognized comic performances with prizes in 442 BC. Impressive tragic output continued without pause through the first three quarters of the fourth century BC, and some scholars consider this time a continuation of the classical period . Though much of the work of this period is either lost or forgotten, it is considered to owe a great debt to

3510-454: Was also used to give praise to notable citizens, or often foreigners, who had served Athens in some beneficial way during the year. During the Peloponnesian War , orphaned children of those who had been killed in battle were also paraded in the Odeon, possibly to honour their fathers. The proagōn could be used for other announcements as well; in 406 BC the death of the playwright Euripides

3575-455: Was announced there. Following the pompe , the Theatre of Dionysus was purified by the sacrifice of a bull. According to tradition, the first performance of tragedy at the Dionysia was by the playwright and actor Thespis (from whom we take the word " thespian ") in 534 BC. His award was reportedly a goat , a common symbol for Dionysus, and this "prize" possibly suggests the origin of

3640-584: Was first celebrated in 1966. Twenty-first-century estimates place the number of Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa between 500,000 and 2,000,000. American black separatist Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots as a non-Christian, specifically African-American, holiday . Karenga said his goal was to "give black people an alternative to the existing holiday of Christmas and give black people an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate

3705-740: Was held on the final day, when the judges chose the winners of the tragedy and comedy performances. The winning playwrights were awarded a wreath of ivy . Most of our knowledge of the winners of the City Dionysia and the Lenaea festival comes from a series of damaged inscriptions referred to as the Fasti ( IG II 2318), the Didascaliae ( IG II 2319-24) and the Victors Lists ( IG II 2325). (? = exact year not preserved) (? = exact year not preserved) The festival has inspired people through

3770-466: Was held, in which citizens, metics , and representatives from Athenian colonies marched to the Theatre of Dionysus on the southern slope of the Acropolis , carrying the wooden statue of Dionysus Eleuthereus, the "leading" or eisagōgē (εἰσαγωγή, "introduction"). As with the Rural Dionysia, they also carried phalloi , made of wood or bronze, aloft on poles, and a cart pulled a much larger phallus. Basket-carriers and water and wine-carriers participated in

3835-457: Was initially rejected by the Athenians. Dionysus then punished the Athenians with a plague affecting the male genitalia , which was cured when the Athenians accepted the cult of Dionysus. This was recalled each year by a procession of citizens carrying phalloi . The urban festival was a relatively recent invention. This ceremony fell under the auspices of the Archons of Athens , rather than

3900-632: Was issued by the United States Post Office in 1997, and in the same year Bill Clinton gave the first presidential declaration marking the holiday. Subsequent presidents George W. Bush , Barack Obama , Donald Trump , and Joe Biden also issued greetings to celebrate Kwanzaa. Maya Angelou narrated a 2008 documentary film about Kwanzaa, The Black Candle , written and directed by M. K. Asante and featuring Chuck D . Other countries that celebrate Kwanzaa include Jamaica , France , Canada , and Brazil . In Canada it

3965-418: Was less about sin and more about following Jesus' teachings and abandoning the teachings they had formerly known. In the Gospel of John , Jesus is described as stating "he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together" ( John 4:36 ), which some Christians argue is about rewards from God for those who perform God's work. In

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4030-471: Was originally a rural festival in Eleutherae , Attica ( Διονύσια τὰ κατ' ἀγρούς – Dionysia ta kat' agrous ), probably celebrating the cultivation of vines . It was probably a very ancient festival, perhaps not originally associated with Dionysus. This "rural Dionysia" was held during the winter, in the month of Poseideon (the month straddling the winter solstice, i.e., Dec.–Jan.). The central event

4095-627: Was proposed by Hannibal Afrik of Shule ya Watoto as a communitywide promotional and educational campaign. The initial Karamu Ya Imani occurred on January 1, 1973, at a 200-person gathering at the Ridgeland club. In 1992, the National Black United Front of Chicago held one of the largest Karamu Ya Imani celebrations in the country. It included dancing, a youth ensemble and a keynote speech by NBUF and prominent black nationalist leader Conrad Worrill . The celebration includes

4160-538: Was shown in the temple reports which were carved in stone when the governing body (called the epistatai ) of the temple changed hands. In the stone IG I 386-387 it can be seen how the finances of the Eleusinian temples worked. Doctor Maureen B. Cavanaugh who translated stone IG I 386–387, argues that there were heavy implications of the funding realized from the First Fruits donations to the temple, in particular that it brought significant impact on Athenian power. This

4225-468: Was the pompe (πομπή), the procession, in which phalloi (φαλλοί) were carried by phallophoroi (φαλλοφόροι). Also participating in the pompe were kanephoroi (κανηφόροι – young girls carrying baskets), obeliaphoroi (ὀβελιαφόροι – who carried long loaves of bread), skaphephoroi (σκαφηφόροι – who carried other offerings), hydriaphoroi (ὑδριαφόροι – who carried jars of water), and askophoroi (ἀσκοφόροι – who carried goatskin bags of wine). After

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