We are on our way to the London Games of the One Hundred And Fourth Summer Olympiad. Do you have you tickets booked well if your lucky you just might find a few left for the July 2012 mega event. In tribute to the games what better way to kick of the Olympic year but with its music. From the most popular to the least known we are playing the tunes that have shaped the modern games and pay homage to our Hellenic ancestors who created the Superbowl of sports some nearly 3,ooo years ago on the plains of Olympus, Greece.
Welcome to our our seventh season with our first broadcast for the New Year. What better way to usher in the new year than with a retrospective look at our humanity and value. In these times we find ourselves are difficult and challenging to say the least. Many had and that includes me the holiday blues. So did Tom Shadyac, one of the most successful film directors of our generation. His films are valued collectively at $2 billion. With pictures such as ACE VENTURA, NUTTY PROFESSOR,BRUCE ALMIGHTY, LIAR LIAR, to name a few...Tom is a man who has and is living the American dream of success, fame, and fortune...yet a near fatal accident brought him face to face with that proverbial question why am I so unhappy when I have everything I need and then some? Yeah Tom why? Well he tells us. You know Socrates said pretty much the same thing a life unexamined isn't worth living. And that is how he felt in spite of the plethora of material comfort and financial security. Pete Singer and Cornel West help sort this out for us in Astra Taylor's documentary EXAMINED LIFE.
Let's see what they all had to say.
Zorba The Mad Greek OPA FROM GREECE WITH LOVE www.opafromgreecewithlove.com KCLA-FM 99.3 -- LOS ANGELES -- SATURDAY 12 NOON PDT SIMULCAST kclafm.com and tunein.com Podcast iTune
Ευτυχισμένο το Νέο Έτος! Happy New Year! We wrap up the year with reflection and insight. As 2011 comes to a close and we prepare to say hello to 2012 let us give thanks for all that we have and all that we will have in the coming new year. We have the New Year Kalanda "Agios Vasilios". In addition the gladiators of the gridiron the NFL sets the tone for the New Year celebration with some classic themes from their award winning NFL film. We end the year with a surprise New Year send off. So pop the bubbly and pour me a toast to the year gone by and hello to the New Year that is about to begin.
Kala Christougena, Merry Xmas and welcome to our expanded Christmas holiday special, celebrating the reason for the season. The birth of Jesus. We have prepared a musical ensemble without commercial interruption in this hour long program that highlights the diversity and unity of the Holidays. We have a compilation of Jazzed up Christmas Medleys, a tribute to our Jewish brethren with a modern send off on the Hanukkah festival feast, Kalanda music from Thrace, Helena Paprizou, Efi Sarri, Byzantine Christmas Carols. One of my favorite OH HOLY NIGHT. Ray Coniff, Sr. and his Ray Coniff singers from a Canadian broadcast put us in the holiday mood and spirit. And there is more plenty more. So settle into in your favorite La Z Boy chair, dim the lights, pour a pint of egg nog, leave some for the big guy tonight, and turn up the volume on the speakers as we listen together to a jolly Merry Xmas time brought to you by Opa From Greece With Love.
Playlist
CHRISTMAS COMPILATION OF MEDLEYS
CHRIST IS BORN (THRACE)
FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS (A HANUKKAH SONG)
OH HOLY NIGHT (LEONTYNE PRICE)
THE CARPENTERS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY FAVORITE MEDLEYS (WINTER WONDERLAND, SILVER BELLS, WHITE CHRISTMAS)
RAY CONIFF SINGERS (OH HOLY NIGHT, WE THREE KINGS, DECK THE HALLS)
BYZANTINE CHRISTMAS CAROLS (12TH-14TH CENTURY)
EFI SARRI (CHRISTOUGENNA PROTOXHRONIA)
HELENA PAPARIZOU (WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS)
DORS DAY (YOU'LL NEVER WALK ALONE)
DORIS DAY (NEARER TO GOD)
CHRISTMAS COMPILATION OF MEDLEYS
Zorba The Mad Greek
OPA FROM GREECE WITH LOVE -- opafromgreecewithlove.com
KCLA-FM 99.3 -- LOS ANGELES -- SATURDAY 12 NOON PDT
Are we ready for Christmas? Well we at OFGWL will definitely put you in the holiday mood. As far as gift giving that will be up to you. Have you ever wandered where we get the Xmas Tree and other symbols for the holiday that were never in existence at the time of Christ's birth? Neither have I. But it is always good to widen your horizon. Here is background regarding the most celebrated birthday of all time thanks to the History Channel.
An Ancient Holiday
The middle of winter has long been a time of celebration around the world. Centuries before the arrival of the man called Jesus, early Europeans celebrated light and birth in the darkest days of winter. Many peoples rejoiced during the winter solstice, when the worst of the winter was behind them and they could look forward to longer days and extended hours of sunlight.
In Scandinavia, the Norse celebrated Yule from December 21, the winter solstice, through January. In recognition of the return of the sun, fathers and sons would bring home large logs, which they would set on fire. The people would feast until the log burned out, which could take as many as 12 days. The Norse believed that each spark from the fire represented a new pig or calf that would be born during the coming year.
The end of December was a perfect time for celebration in most areas of Europe. At that time of year, most cattle were slaughtered so they would not have to be fed during the winter. For many, it was the only time of year when they had a supply of fresh meat. In addition, most wine and beer made during the year was finally fermented and ready for drinking.
In Germany, people honored the pagan god Oden during the mid-winter holiday. Germans were terrified of Oden, as they believed he made nocturnal flights through the sky to observe his people, and then decide who would prosper or perish. Because of his presence, many people chose to stay inside.
Saturnalia
In Rome, where winters were not as harsh as those in the far north, Saturnalia—a holiday in honor of Saturn, the god of agriculture—was celebrated. Beginning in the week leading up to the winter solstice and continuing for a full month, Saturnalia was a hedonistic time, when food and drink were plentiful and the normal Roman social order was turned upside down. For a month, slaves would become masters. Peasants were in command of the city. Business and schools were closed so that everyone could join in the fun.
Also around the time of the winter solstice, Romans observed Juvenalia, a feast honoring the children of Rome. In addition, members of the upper classes often celebrated the birthday of Mithra, the god of the unconquerable sun, on December 25. It was believed that Mithra, an infant god, was born of a rock. For some Romans, Mithra's birthday was the most sacred day of the year.
In the early years of Christianity, Easter was the main holiday; the birth of Jesus was not celebrated. In the fourth century, church officials decided to institute the birth of Jesus as a holiday. Unfortunately, the Bible does not mention date for his birth (a fact Puritans later pointed out in order to deny the legitimacy of the celebration). Although some evidence suggests that his birth may have occurred in the spring (why would shepherds be herding in the middle of winter?), Pope Julius I chose December 25. It is commonly believed that the church chose this date in an effort to adopt and absorb the traditions of the pagan Saturnalia festival. First called the Feast of the Nativity, the custom spread to Egypt by 432 and to England by the end of the sixth century. By the end of the eighth century, the celebration of Christmas had spread all the way to Scandinavia. Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.
By holding Christmas at the same time as traditional winter solstice festivals, church leaders increased the chances that Christmas would be popularly embraced, but gave up the ability to dictate how it was celebrated. By the Middle Ages, Christianity had, for the most part, replaced pagan religion. On Christmas, believers attended church, then celebrated raucously in a drunken, carnival-like atmosphere similar to today's Mardi Gras. Each year, a beggar or student would be crowned the "lord of misrule" and eager celebrants played the part of his subjects. The poor would go to the houses of the rich and demand their best food and drink. If owners failed to comply, their visitors would most likely terrorize them with mischief. Christmas became the time of year when the upper classes could repay their real or imagined "debt" to society by entertaining less fortunate citizens.
An Outlaw Christmas
In the early 17th century, a wave of religious reform changed the way Christmas was celebrated in Europe. When Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan forces took over England in 1645, they vowed to rid England of decadence and, as part of their effort, cancelled Christmas. By popular demand, Charles II was restored to the throne and, with him, came the return of the popular holiday.
The pilgrims, English separatists that came to America in 1620, were even more orthodox in their Puritan beliefs than Cromwell. As a result, Christmas was not a holiday in early America. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident.
After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
Irving Reinvents Christmas
It wasn't until the 19th century that Americans began to embrace Christmas. Americans re-invented Christmas, and changed it from a raucous carnival holiday into a family-centered day of peace and nostalgia. But what about the 1800s peaked American interest in the holiday?
The early 19th century was a period of class conflict and turmoil. During this time, unemployment was high and gang rioting by the disenchanted classes often occurred during the Christmas season. In 1828, the New York city council instituted the city's first police force in response to a Christmas riot. This catalyzed certain members of the upper classes to begin to change the way Christmas was celebrated in America.
In 1819, best-selling author Washington Irving wrote The Sketchbook of Geoffrey Crayon, gent., a series of stories about the celebration of Christmas in an English manor house. The sketches feature a squire who invited the peasants into his home for the holiday. In contrast to the problems faced in American society, the two groups mingled effortlessly. In Irving's mind, Christmas should be a peaceful, warm-hearted holiday bringing groups together across lines of wealth or social status. Irving's fictitious celebrants enjoyed "ancient customs," including the crowning of a Lord of Misrule. Irving's book, however, was not based on any holiday celebration he had attended – in fact, many historians say that Irving's account actually "invented" tradition by implying that it described the true customs of the season.
A Christmas Carol
Also around this time, English author Charles Dickens created the classic holiday tale, A Christmas Carol. The story's message-the importance of charity and good will towards all humankind-struck a powerful chord in the United States and England and showed members of Victorian society the benefits of celebrating the holiday.
The family was also becoming less disciplined and more sensitive to the emotional needs of children during the early 1800s. Christmas provided families with a day when they could lavish attention-and gifts-on their children without appearing to "spoil" them.
As Americans began to embrace Christmas as a perfect family holiday, old customs were unearthed. People looked toward recent immigrants and Catholic and Episcopalian churches to see how the day should be celebrated. In the next 100 years, Americans built a Christmas tradition all their own that included pieces of many other customs, including decorating trees, sending holiday cards, and gift-giving.
Although most families quickly bought into the idea that they were celebrating Christmas how it had been done for centuries, Americans had really re-invented a holiday to fill the cultural needs of a growing nation.
Christmas Facts
Each year, 30-35 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States alone. There are 21,000 Christmas tree growers in the United States, and trees usually grow for about 15 years before they are sold.
Today, in the Greek and Russian orthodox churches, Christmas is celebrated 13 days after the 25th, which is also referred to as the Epiphany or Three Kings Day. This is the day it is believed that the three wise men finally found Jesus in the manger.
In the Middle Ages, Christmas celebrations were rowdy and raucous—a lot like today's Mardi Gras parties.
From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was outlawed in Boston, and law-breakers were fined five shillings.
Christmas was declared a federal holiday in the United States on June 26, 1870.
The first eggnog made in the United States was consumed in Captain John Smith's 1607 Jamestown settlement.
Poinsettia plants are named after Joel R. Poinsett, an American minister to Mexico, who brought the red-and-green plant from Mexico to America in 1828.
The Salvation Army has been sending Santa Claus-clad donation collectors into the streets since the 1890s.
Rudolph, "the most famous reindeer of all," was the product of Robert L. May's imagination in 1939. The copywriter wrote a poem about the reindeer to help lure customers into the Montgomery Ward department store.
Construction workers started the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree tradition in 1931.
And for our Jewish friends and brethren we take a look at Hanukkah and its story and tradition.
What is Hanukkah?
The Talmud tells us that beginning with the 25th of Kislev, eight days of Hanukkah are observed, during which no eulogies are delivered, nor is fasting permitted. For when the Greeks entered the Sanctuary, they defiled all the oils, and when the Hasmoneans (the Maccabees) defeated them, they searched and found only one remaining jar of oil with the seal of the Kohen Gadol (the High Priest). Although it contained only enough oil to burn for one day, a miracle occurred, and the oil burned eight days. A year later the Rabbis designated these days as Yomim Tovim (Holidays) on which praise and thanksgiving were to be said. (Tractate Shabbat 21)
The Greek's Harsh Decrees:
During the Second Temple period, the Greek kings outlawed the Jewish religion, forbade them to engage in the study of Torah and the practice of mitzvot, and ravaged and defiled all that had been ritually pure. The Hasmoneans were finally able to subdue the enemy, whereby they designated a king to rule over Israel which lasted for more than 200 years. The Sages of that generation therefore decreed, that the eight days beginning with the 25th of Kislev should be days of rejoicing; that Hallel (praise) be recited and that lights be lit in the entrance to their homes each of the eight nights, in order to publicize the miracle. These days were called Hanukkah, that is to say Chanu Kaf-Hay (they rested on the 25th), for on the 25th, they rested from their enemies. The above expression of the Talmud: "They made it a Yom Tov for praise and thanksgiving" refers to the literal recitation of Hallel (praise) and therefore, the complete Hallel is said during schararit (morning prayers) all eight days of Hanukkah. The term "thanksgiving" refers to al hanisim, which is included in each shmoneh esreh (silent meditation, amidah) during these days as well, as well as in birkat hamazon (grace after meals).
What may one use to light the Hanukkah candles?
The preferred way to perform the mitzvah is to light the Hanukkah menorah with pure olive oil and cotton wicks, since their light is pure and it causes us to remember the light of the Menorah which was lit with olive oil. All other oils and wicks are permissible if their light is pure and does not flicker. One may also use candles made of wax. One must be careful and make sure the lights stay lit for about a half an hour or as long as people coming home from the marketplace would be able to see them. If one is using wax candles specifically, it is a good idea to put them in the freezer before use since it lengthens their burning time. The menorah itself should be pretty and can be made of metal or glass. An earthenware holder is permissible but may only be used once while it is still new. After one usage it becomes unclean and may not be used for the next night. A wick which was used one night may be used on succeeding nights as well. The same is true of the remaining oil or of the remainder of wax candles. If one is lighting with oil, one way to save on the mess and expense of using many cotton wicks is to pull the part of the wick that is black up from the holder and continue to use the rest of the wick and continue this for many succeeding nights until the wick becomes very small.
One must also be careful with the menorah that one chooses. There are many menorah's on the market that although aesthetically beautiful, are not permitted to be used. For example, the eight candles of the menorah must be in a straight line with the shamash a little bit above them. Any menorah which is fancily shaped in a circle or square... is not permitted to be used since the candles must be in a straight line and none may be higher or lower than the others. There must also be enough space between one candle and another so that the flames of each are not intermingled.
How does one light the lights?
On the first night of Hanukkah, one light is lit and on each successive night another light is added until the eighth night when all the lights are lit. When one lights on the first night, one lights the one on the extreme right. The following night he adds the one immediately to the left and kindles it first. He then turns to the right and kindles the light of the previous night. He follows the same procedure each night always adding from right to left but always lighting from left to right. The reason for this procedure is that the additional light recalls the greatness and growth of the miracle.
On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are recited before the lights are kindled:(1) "Baruch ata Hashem, Elokenu melech ha'olam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah." (Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with His commandments and has commanded us to light the Hanukkah lights.) (2) "Baruch ata Hashem, Elokenu melech ha'olam, she'asah nisim la'avotenu, bayamim hahem bazeman hazeh." (Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has doen miracles for our fathers in days gone by, at this time.) (3) "Baruch ata Hashem, Elokenu melech ha'olam, shehecheyanu, vekiyemanu vehigi'anu lazeman hazeh." (Blessed are You, L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, Who has given us life, and has sustained us, and has brought us to this time.) After one makes these three blessings, he kindles the light. On the remaining nights, one only recites the first two blessings and does not say "shecheyanu." If one was prevented from lighting the candles on the first night or forgot to say shecheyanu, he may say it the next time he kindles the lights.
There is also a custom of using an extra candle, the shamash to light the other candles. The shamash may only be used for lighting the other candles and one may derive benefit from its light. The Hanukkah lights themselves, however, may not be used for any other purpose while they are burning for the purpose of the mitzvah. One should preferably have other lights on in the house in order that one does not run into this problem.
After the first light is kindled, "hanerot halalu" is said and the rest of the lights can now be lit. After the lights have been kindled, Hanukkah songs are sung and foods containing oil, such as jelly donuts are eaten. Every custom according to the place in which one lives!
And of course it wouldn't be the holidays without Kwanzaa. Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966. After the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African-Americans together as a community. He founded US, a cultural organization, and started to research African "first fruit" (harvest) celebrations. Karenga combined aspects of several different harvest celebrations, such as those of the Ashanti and those of the Zulu, to form the basis of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa History
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili) are values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans. Kwanzaa also has seven basic symbols which represent values and concepts reflective of African culture. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31.
The candle-lighting ceremony each evening provides the opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa. The first night, the black candle in the center is lit (and the principle of umoja/unity is discussed). One candle is lit each evening and the appropriate principle is discussed.
Seven Principles
The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba are a set of ideals created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle.
Unity: Umoja (oo–MO–jah) To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Self-determination: Kujichagulia (koo–gee–cha–goo–LEE–yah) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
Collective Work and Responsibility: Ujima (oo–GEE–mah) To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
Cooperative Economics: Ujamaa (oo–JAH–mah) To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Purpose: Nia (nee–YAH) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Creativity: Kuumba (koo–OOM–bah) To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Faith: Imani (ee–MAH–nee) To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Seven Symbols
The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba are a set of ideals created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle.
Mazao, the crops (fruits, nuts, and vegetables) Symbolizes work and the basis of the holiday. It represents the historical foundation for Kwanzaa, the gathering of the people that is patterned after African harvest festivals in which joy, sharing, unity, and thanksgiving are the fruits of collective planning and work. Since the family is the basic social and economic center of every civilization, the celebration bonded family members, reaffirming their commitment and responsibility to each other. In Africa the family may have included several generations of two or more nuclear families, as well as distant relatives. Ancient Africans didn't care how large the family was, but there was only one leader - the oldest male of the strongest group. For this reason, an entire village may have been composed of one family. The family was a limb of a tribe that shared common customs, cultural traditions, and political unity and were supposedly descended from common ancestors. The tribe lived by traditions that provided continuity and identity. Tribal laws often determined the value system, laws, and customs encompassing birth, adolescence, marriage, parenthood, maturity, and death. Through personal sacrifice and hard work, the farmers sowed seeds that brought forth new plant life to feed the people and other animals of the earth. To demonstrate their mazao, celebrants of Kwanzaa place nuts, fruit, and vegetables, representing work, on the mkeka.
Mkeka: Place Mat The mkeka, made from straw or cloth, comes directly from Africa and expresses history, culture, and tradition. It symbolizes the historical and traditional foundation for us to stand on and build our lives because today stands on our yesterdays, just as the other symbols stand on the mkeka. In 1965, James Baldwin wrote: "For history is not merely something to be read. And it does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the facts that we carry it within us, are consciously controlled by it in many ways, and history is literally present in all that we do. It could scarcely be otherwise, since it is to history that we owe our frames of reference, our identities, and our aspirations." During Kwanzaa, we study, recall, and reflect on our history and the role we are to play as a legacy to the future. Ancient societies made mats from straw, the dried seams of grains, sowed and reaped collectively. The weavers took the stalks and created household baskets and mats. Today, we buy mkeka that are made from Kente cloth, African mud cloth, and other textiles from various areas of the African continent. The mishumaa saba, the vibunzi, the mazao, the zawadi, the kikombe cha umoja, and the kinara are placed directly on the mkeka.
Vibunzi: Ear of Corn The stalk of corn represents fertility and symbolizes that through the reproduction of children, the future hopes of the family are brought to life. One ear is called vibunzi, and two or more ears are called mihindi. Each ear symbolizes a child in the family, and thus one ear is placed on the mkeka for each child in the family. If there are no children in the home, two ears are still set on the mkeka because each person is responsible for the children of the community. During Kwanzaa, we take the love and nurturance that was heaped on us as children and selflessly return it to all children, especially the helpless, homeless, loveless ones in our community. Thus, the Nigerian proverb "It takes a whole village to raise a child" is realized in this symbol (vibunzi), since raising a child in Africa was a community affair, involving the tribal village, as well as the family. Good habits of respect for self and others, discipline, positive thinking, expectations, compassion, empathy, charity, and self-direction are learned in childhood from parents, from peers, and from experiences. Children are essential to Kwanzaa, for they are the future, the seed bearers that will carry cultural values and practices into the next generation. For this reason, children were cared for communally and individually within a tribal village. The biological family was ultimately responsible for raising its own children, but every person in the village was responsible for the safety and welfare of all the children.
Mishumaa Saba: The Seven Candles Candles are ceremonial objects with two primary purposes: to re-create symbolically the sun's power and to provide light. The celebration of fire through candle burning is not limited to one particular group or country; it occurs everywhere. Mishumaa saba are the seven candles: three red, three green, and one black. The back candle symbolizes Umoja (unity), the basis of success, and is lit on December 26. The three green candles, representing Nia, Ujima, and Imani, are placed to the right of the Umoja candle, while the three red candles, representing Kujichagulia, Ujamaa, and Kuumba, are placed to the left of it. During Kwanzaa, on candle, representing one principle, is lit each day. Then the other candles are relit to give off more light and vision. The number of candles burning also indicate the principle that is being celebrated. The illuminating fire of the candles is a basic element of the universe, and every celebration and festival includes fire in some form. Fire's mystique, like the sun, is irresistible and can destroy or create with its mesmerizing, frightening, mystifying power.
Mishumaa saba's symbolic colors are from the red, black, and green flag (bendara) created by Marcus Garvey. The colors also represent African gods. Red is the color of Shango, the Yoruba god of fire, thunder, and lightning, who lives in the clouds and sends down his thunderbolt whenever he is angry or offended. It also represents the struggle for self-determination and freedom by people of color. Black is the people, the earth, the source of life, representing hope, creativity, and faith and denoting messages and the opening and closing of doors. Green represents the earth that sustains our lives and provides hope, divination, employment, and the fruits of the harvest.
Kinara: The Candleholder The kinara is the center of the Kwanzaa setting and represents the original stalk from which we came: our ancestry. The kinara can be shape - straight lines, semicircles, or spirals - as long as the seven candles are separate and distinct, like a candelabra. Kinaras are made from all kinds of materials, and many celebrants create their own from fallen branches, wood, or other natural materials. The kinara symbolizes the ancestors, who were once earth bound; understand the problems of human life; and are willing to protect their progeny from danger, evil, and mistakes. In African festivals the ancestors are remembered and honored. The mishumaa saba are placed in the kinara.
Kikombe Cha Umoja: The Unity Cup The kikombe cha umoja is a special cup that is used to perform the libation (tambiko) ritual during the Karamu feast on the sixth day of Kwanzaa. In many African societies libation are poured for the living dead whose souls stay with the earth they tilled. The Ibo of Nigeria believe that to drink the last portion of a libation is to invite the wrath of the spirits and the ancestors; consequently, the last part of the libation belongs to the ancestors. During the Karamu feast, the kikombe cha umoja is passed to family member and guests, who drink from it to promote unity. Then, the eldest person present pours the libation (tambiko), usually water, juice, or wine, in the direction of the four winds - north, south, east, and west - to honor the ancestors. The eldest asks the gods and ancestors to share in the festivities and, in return, to bless all the people who are not at the gathering. After asking for this blessing, the elder pours the libation on the ground and the group says "Amen." Large Kwanzaa gatherings may operate just as communion services in most churches, for which it is common for celebrants to have individual cups and to drink the libation together as a sign of unity. Several families may have a cup that is specifically for the ancestors, and everyone else has his or her own. The last few ounces of the libation are poured into the cup of the host or hostess, who sips it and then hands it to the oldest person in the group, who asks for the blessing.
Zawadi: Gifts When we celebrate Imani on the seventh day of Kwanzaa, we give meaningful zawadi (gifts) to encourage growth, self-determination, achievement, and success. We exchange the gifts with members of our immediate family, especially the children, to promote or reward accomplishments and commitments kept, as well as with our guests. Handmade gifts are encouraged to promote self-determination, purpose, and creativity and to avoid the chaos of shopping and conspicuous consumption during the December holiday season. A family may spend the year making kinaras or may create cards, dolls, or mkekas to give to their guests. Accepting a gift implies a moral obligation to fulfill the promise of the gift; it obliges the recipient to follow the training of the host. The gift cements social relationships, allowing the receiver to share the duties and the rights of a family member. Accepting a gift makes the receiver part of the family and promotes Umoja.
Excerpted from the book: The Complete Kwanzaa Celebrating Our Cultural Harvest. Copyright 1995 by Dorothy Winbush Riley. Reprinted with permission from HarperPerennial, a division of HarperCollins Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.
Whether you are celebrating Christmas my holiday or Hanukkah or Kwanzaa my this holiday season bring you greater peace, love, happiness and joy than you had expected.
Zorba The Mad Greek
OPA FROM GREECE WITH LOVE
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We enter the Holiday Christmas time which for us began December 6 feast of St. Nicholas and will conclude January 6 the day of Epiphany. Did you know that Santa was a Greek. Yes indeed.
St. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. He was very religious from an early age and devoted his life entirely to Christianity. In Europe (more precisely the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria and Germany) he is still portrayed as a bearded bishop in canonical robes. In 1087, the Italian city of Bari, wanting to enter the profitable pilgrimage industry of the times, mounted an expedition to locate the tomb of the Christian Saint and procure his remains. The reliquary of St. Nicholas was desecrated by Italian sailors and the spoils, including his relics, taken to Bari where they are kept to this day. A basilica was constructed the same year to store the loot and the area became a pilgrimage site for the devout, thus justifying the economic cost of the expedition. Saint Nicholas was later claimed as a patron saint of many diverse groups, from archers, sailors, and children to pawnbrokers. He is also the patron saint of both Amsterdamand Moscow.
The modern figure was derived from the Dutch figure of Sinterklaas which, in turn, may have part of its basis in hagiographical tales concerning the historical figure of gift giver Saint Nicholas. A nearly identical story is attributed by Greek and Byzantine folklore to Basil of Caesarea. Basil's feast day on January 1 is considered the time of exchanging gifts in Greece.
Santa Claus is generally depicted as a plump, jolly, white-bearded man wearing a red coat with white collar and cuffs, white-cuffed red trousers, and black leather belt and boots (images of him rarely have a beard with no moustache). This image became popular in the United States and Canada in the 19th century due to the significant influence of caricaturist and political cartoonist Thomas Nast. This image has been maintained and reinforced through song, radio, television, children's books and films. The North American depiction of Santa Claus as it developed in the 19th and 20th century in turn influenced the modern perceptions of Father Christmas, Sinterklaas and Saint Nicholas in European culture.
Christmas was never considered much of a holiday in Greece compared with Easter, but things have slowly changed and now it has become a much cherished celebration. The traditions have become simplified, but still Christopsomo bread is served at the big Christmas meal. Many people deplore the secularization of Christmas. For instance, now you'll find Christmas in Greece celebrated with lavish decorations and lights strung across most of the streets in major cities and towns. Athens in particular has responded to the revival of Christmas where its former flamboyant mayor, Dimitris Avramopoulos, has added new colour to the festivities by erecting the largest Christmas tree in Europe.
ZORBA THE MAD GREEK
OPA FROM GREECE WITH LOVE
KCLA-FM - LOS ANGELES - SATURDAY 12 NOON PDT
SIMULCAST www.kclafm.com & www.tunein.com
REBROADCAST on iTunes and www.greekpressworldwide.com
Lyrics:
Good evening to you noblemen And if it is your wish In praise here at your mansion, Of Jesus' birth I'll sing.
Jesus Christ was born today in town of Bethlehem The skies above rejoicing All nature satisfied.
T'was in a cave that he was born And in a manger laid The king of all the skies above And maker of all things.
Angelic hosts are singing All glory be to God And holy be to shepherds And to their faithfulness.
From Persia are arriving Three magi with their gifts The brightest star has led them there No hour have they delayed.
Καλήν εσπέραν άρχοντες, Κι αν εί- κι αν είναι ορισμός σας Χριστού την θεία γέννηση Να πω- να πω στ' αρχοντικό σας,
Χριστός γεννάται σήμερον Εν Βη- εν Βηθλεέμ τη πόλη, Οι ουρανοί αγάλλονται, Χαίρε- χαίρετ' η φύσις όλη,
Εν τω σπηλαίω τίκτεται, Εν φά- εν φάτνη των αλόγων, Ο βασιλεύς των ουρανών Και ποι- και ποιητής των όλων.
Πλήθος αγγέλων ψάλλουσι το Δόξα εν Υψίστοις και τούτο άξιον εστί η των ποιμένων πίστις.
Εκ της Περσίας έρχονται τρεις μάγοι με τα δώρα άστρο λαμπρό τους οδηγεί χωρίς να λείψει ώρα.
My guest is Lory Tatoulian the multi talented comedic talent that has made a name for herself spoofing the Armenian community. From Sossi the Armenian bar fly who is in a perpetual mayoral campaign to take over Pasadena. Why? I don't know. You'd have to ask her. To DanDeeGeen that is νοικοκυρά houswife in Armenian. Yes we figured that out between Tangerine and Gangrene. The Greeks and the Armenians share common stories of tears and joy as immigrant communities who clawed their way to success to become the quintessential poster child of the American dream. She has been called "an actress and playwright whose work explores issues of cultural identity, gender and ethnic community dynamics. Her comedic character-studies define the core of her style" according to Armeniapedia. The San Diego Union Tribune writes, "The boldly physical writer-performer Lory Tatoulian sent up SoCal's car mania in her explosive satiric solo. Tatoulian is a find. In 'Autosapiens,' she creates a freeway-crazed gal who's decided to spend her life in her car. As she eats, observes, makes love and fights other drivers on the highway of life, she devolves into another species altogether, the Autosapien."
Thanksgiving is over but the left overs are still making their way into my mouth. Did you know that Greeks had one of the earliest Thanksgivings. According to Kentucky Educational Television..."Greeks did it first. Yes, they celebrated a feast of thanksgiving. Yes, they celebrated it in November. Yes, the celebration involved a banquet. Yes, there was a Thanksgiving Day parade. The Greeks called their Thanksgiving Day ELEUTHERIA, and they celebrated it in the month they called Maemacterion (November on our calendar). The Greek Thanksgiving Day was started after the battle of Plataea, 479 B.C. Every year, on the 16th day of the month of Maemacterion, a procession through town would start at dawn, at the signal of a trumpet. The procession was followed by wagons decorated with myrtle boughs (cf. out Thanksgiving Day parade floats decorated with roses and flowers), the black sacrificial bull and young free youths (cf. the marching groups of young people in our Thanksgiving Day parades). At the rear of the procession came the Archon of Plataea, dressed in the garments of victorious military leader and carrying a sword (cf. our parade Grand Marshal dressed in military garb). Since the Greeks were not as fanatical about athletics as we are, they only had their Eleutherian Bowl every fifth year, instead of the annual contests we enjoy on Thanksgiving Day. Even though we live in the New World, and we like to serve turkey instead of beef on Thanksgiving Day, we continue to walk in the footsteps of our predecessors, the ancient Greeks." Ok and here is a list of Greek food items for the holidays From T-Day to Kala Christougena:
Stuffed Turkey or Capon with Lamb & Rice Skillet Turkey with Chestnuts, Pine Nuts, and Toasted Almonds Roasted Lemon Garlic Potatoes Spinach & Cheese Pie Slices of Feta Cheese Greek Green Bean Casserole Brown Lentils & Rice
καλή όρεξη (Good Appetite) Zorba The Mad Greek "OPA FROM GREECE WITH LOVE" KCLA-FM 99.3 - Los Angeles - Saturday 12 Noon PDT Simulcast www.kclafm.com and www.tunein.com iTunes
We continue our on going saga with drama and trauma that is Greece. Will they or won't they go belly up. We shall see if Papdemos can stem the tide of discord and prevent the Greek economy from sinking. And of course the usual mayhem and chaotic hyperbole stuttering and stammering of yours truly in an effort to pack an hour into a half hour. Hey what do you expect I'm Greek and we invented Economics which is a Greek word by the way. And you'd expect we'd have our act together. We do it just that Europe doesn't get it. The crisis is their's not ours. They lent the cash and they are stuck paying the bill.
Zorba The Mad Greek
OPA FROM GREECE WITH LOVE
www.opafromgreecewithlove.com
KCLA-FM 99.3 Los Angeles -- Saturday 12 Noon PDT
Simulcast www.kclafm.com & www.tuniein.com
Our show centers around a remarkable actor Anthony Skordi with a voice that can kill a vampire or swoon a lonely heart depending on your gender and which side of the heavens you happen to be standing. With classical training and an intuitive style that would beguile the most hardened skeptic, Mr. Skordi presents a case study of the self discipline of his theatrical craft and a mastery of emotional reticent that is the hallmark of an individual who has truly mastered the command of the Thespian art of stage play. Besides the guy has a neat baritone voice that makes Darth Vader sound like a wimp. Anyway here is my interview with Anthony Skordi who is currently involved in his passion project a one man show on the life and times of the great Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis.
Zorba The Mad Greek OPA FROM GREECE WITH LOVE www.opafromgreecewithlove.com KCLA-FM 99.3 Los Angeles -- Saturday 12 Noon PDT Simulcast www.kclafm.com and www.tunein.com
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