September 25, 2024
New commemorative stamp honors the seven principles of Kwanzaa
PITTSBURGH – Today, the U.S. Postal Service announced a new stamp design honoring Kwanzaa, the Pan-African American holiday observed annually from December 26 to January 1.
The ceremony was held at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh in collaboration with the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (Asal).
“The Postal Service’s goal is to create stamps that resonate with people from all walks of life,” said Roderick Salei, USPS Director of Legislative Policy and Strategic Development. “The issuance of this Kwanzaa stamp is a powerful symbol of the holiday’s enduring principles. We recognize Kwanzaa’s ability to inspire and unite people with an emphasis on community, self-determination, and collective responsibility. By placing these values on our stamps, we confirm their universal relevance and potential to enrich everyday life.”
Joining Saleh for the ceremony was Community Correspondent and Master of Ceremonies Jordan Hicks, Community Educator. William M. Dulaney, President Asal. Stamp artist Equa Holmes. community organizer Salauddin; Vocalist, Anna Nancy. Balafon West African dance ensemble.
“The Association for the Study of African American Life and History commends the U.S. Postal Service for recognizing the extreme cultural significance of Kwanzaa and its seven fundamental principles,” Dulaney said. “With the issuance of holiday stamps celebrating Pan-African families and cultures, USPS affirms its belief that diversity is America’s strength, thereby encouraging all Americans to join us in celebrating in late December.” I invite you.”
Each year, millions of African Americans gather with friends and family during the week of Kwanzaa to celebrate the seven founding principles of the African holiday – unity (Umoja), self-determination (Kujichichaguria), collective work and responsibility (Uzima), Celebrating cooperative economics (Ujamaa), purpose (NIA), creativity (Kumbha), and faith (Imani).
Kwanzaa is a time of celebration, rejoicing in the prospect of health, prosperity, and good fortune for the coming year. It is also a time for reflection and reminiscence of past challenges faced by both individuals and communities, and the ways in which history informs and influences future well-being.
With its origins in ancient and modern First Harvest festivals across the African continent, Kwanzaa incorporates and reimagines many communal traditions as a modern celebration and reaffirmation of African American culture.
The Post Office’s 10th Kwanzaa stamp since 1997 was inspired by a live performance by dancers from the Origination Cultural Arts Center witnessed by artist Equahomes at a Kwanzaa event in Roxbury, Massachusetts. This stamp features three young performers. There’s a male drummer and two female dancers behind him and on either side of him. He wears a dark blue, green and orange kufi. White shirt and pants with a geometric black and white mud cloth-like pattern. His djembe – blue with a white drumhead – hangs from his neck on a red strap. The two dancers are wearing orange dresses and gold jewelry. One has a red headband, and all three figures have black skin and hair in silhouette. The floor under the feet is a diamond pattern in shades of green, and the background features triangles in shades of red. Each dancer stretches her knees and slightly orange skirt past the picture frame to the white edge of the stamp.
The composition emphasizes the colors of the Pan-African flag, including black, red, green and West African designs on the floor, background and on the drummer’s pants.
USPS art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp, which features Holmes’ original artwork.
The Kwanzaa stamp is issued as an eternal stamp of 20 panes. These eternal stamps will always equal the current price of an ounce of first class mail. Kwanzaa stamp news is shared with the hashtag #KWANZAASTAMPS.
postal products
Customers can purchase stamps and other stamp products through the Postal Store at USPS.com/Shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, through U.S. Philatelic, or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the Officially Licensed USPS Collection on Amazon. Stampsforever.com has additional information about stamps, first day of issuance, and Stamp Inspired products.
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