New London - The lessons were renewed once again Tuesday morning in a first-floor room off Bank Street as about a dozen children soaked in seven Swahili words.

Umoja, kujichagulia and ujima. Ujamaa, nia, kuumba and imani.

Translated to English, the words mean unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith - the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

Every year since the Kente Cultural Center opened in 1977 it's been tradition for the center to hold a celebration for Kwanzaa, a weeklong observance of African-American family, community and culture. Tuesday marked the second day in the celebration.

It also meant a familiar scene with Jane Bernoudy, aka Mama Jane, leading a daylong event that featured drumming, crafts, remembrance and a session dedicated to the seven principles.

"It's the connectivity of it and having a heritage you share with others," Alextine "Al" Powell said while explaining what draws her to the Kwanzaa celebration. "(We're) trying to keep a little culture in the community."

The celebration drew a crowd of about 25 and started in Kente's downstairs gallery, with Bernoudy leading lessons and music sessions. All of the children and adults were given djember drums, maracas, cymbals and other instruments to play.

Ibiju and Adwoa Bandele-Asante and their four daughters also shared two songs with those in attendance. Later, children took turns reading about Kwanzaa and then moved to a table to light seven candles, one for each principle.

From there, the group moved upstairs in the building at 219 Bank St. and started to piece together quilts, an important part of African-American culture. Bernoudy said they were particularly crucial in the days of the underground railroad as patterns on the quilts were used as instructions to lead slaves to freedom.

The Kwanzaa celebration also included some turkey stew, a musical performance by Jim and Donna Hunter and some time for the children to receive presents. The Swahili word for gift is zawadi.

"I love passing on what I know and what I've experienced to younger generations," said Bernoudy, who has a master's degree in African-American studies from Howard University. "We came from strong people and as a people we can do whatever we put our minds to."

Kwanzaa dates to 1966 and was created by a University of California professor. At Kente, its lessons are a point of emphasis throughout the year, according to Merrylyn Weaver, a Kente founder and treasurer/secretary.

As Weaver sliced some bread in a back room Tuesday in preparation of lunch, she said that it's important to pass down the lessons to younger generations.

"You get so busy in life, but we're trying to get our children to stop and give back," Weaver said.

Ibiju Bandele-Asante nodded his head nearby as he listened to Weaver. An artist and musician, Bandele-Asante and his wife brought their four young daughters to the Kwanzaa celebration. The girls often had the answers to questions posed by Bernoudy during her lessons.

"We try to live it 365 days a year," Bandele-Asante said.

jeff.johnson@theday.com