Celebrate Kwanzaa - Marti Lunn Lantz & Lois Browney

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 15 December 2008, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

(Sung as undertone:) K-W-A-N-Z-A-A, KWANZAA. (Spoken:) DURING KWANZAA WEEK, EVERY-NIGHT PEOPLE GATHER-TOGETHER IGNITE"each" KWANZAA CANDLE. THAT IMPORTANT SYMBOL FOR CELEBRATE.

SEVEN NIGHT WE CELEBRATE KWANZAA
SEVEN CANDLE (2h)YOU WILL IGNITE.
RED, GREEN, BLACK, THREE-OF-THEM COLOR.
MAKE SYMBOL BEAUTIFUL LOOK-AT.
RED REPRESENT OUR PEOPLE BLOOD.
GREEN REPRESENT LIFE NEW.
BLACK, THAT AFRICA ITS FACE,
WE REMEMBER PAIN AND STRUGGLE.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA, KWANZAA.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA.

(Sung as undertone:) KWANZAA, KWANZAA. EVERY-NIGHT DURING KWANZAA, PEOPLE MAYBE STAY HOME WITH FAMILY OR JOIN OTHERS IN COMMUNITY. WE SHARE F-O-L-K STORY HAND-DOWN, SONG, OR TELL-STORY ABOUT FAMOUS AFRICA AMERICA PEOPLE.

KWANZAA FOCUS OUR CHILDREN.
THEY-rt LEARN ABOUT THEIR-rt HISTORY.
HAPPEN WE ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY,
MEAN FUTURE BRIGHT WILL.
TRUST YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WORK TOGETHER CAN AND KEEP FAITH.
GIFT-TO US PURPOSE AND DIGNITY.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA, KWANZAA.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA.

CELEBRATE KWANZAA, KWANZAA.
CELEBRATE KWANZAA, KWANZAA.
||: (6 times) KWANZAA. :||


Notes: KWANZAA - (2h)[1], FO up, DH behind NDH. The two hands separate while moving down and then rising up in an arc and opening to (2h)[3].

GATHER-TOGETHER - (2h)[S], POs down, FOs ><, move > each other while opening to (2h)[5wg].

IGNITE - Looks like lighting a match by striking the NDH palm with DH [bX]. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Bentshlicht.

Lyrics:

(Sung as undertone:) Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa. (Spoken:) During the week of Kwanzaa, people gather in the evening to light the candles of the Kinara, a candleholder, which is an important symbol of this celbration.

Seven nights to celebrate Kwanzaa,
seven candles that you will light.
Red and green and black are the colors,
a symbol that's a beautiful sight.
Red is for the blood of the people,
Green is for the hope of new life.
Black is for the face of Africa,
remembering the pain and strife.
Celebrate Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa.
Celebrate Kwanzaa.

(Sung as undertone:) Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa. (Spoken:) During each night of Kwanzaa, people may stay at home with family, or join others in the community, sharing folk tales, songs, and stories of the lives of famous African-Americans.

Children are the center of Kwanzaa,
learning of their history.
And to have a brighter future
we take responsibility.
Trusting in yourself and your family,
joining in the community.
We can work together and keep the faith
with purpose and with dignity.
Celebrate Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa.
Celebrate Kwanzaa.

Celebrate Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa.
Celebrate Kwanzaa, Kwanzaa.
||: (6 times) Kwanzaa. :||

Home