Wed | Apr 29, 2026

Happy Kwanzaa!

Published:Thursday | December 16, 2010 | 12:00 AM
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Ashanti's Kwanzaa feast that will be served on December 29. - PHOTOS BY Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
A prelude to a kiss in a seductive Ashanti sauce on a bed of spaghetti.
Ashanti bean special crushed chickpeas with sesame sauce.
Gluten smoked-roast with corn, celebrating harvest.
Tek you meat out a mi rice.
A delicious all-natural smoothie made with Irish moss, papaya and ripe banana, surrounded by harvested fruit in celebration of Kwanzaa. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
Happy Kwanzaa!
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On December 29, a great feast will be laid out at 38A Trafalgar Road. That is because this is the date in the Kwanzaa calendar that Yvonne Hope, proprietor of Ashanti Oasis Vegetarian Restaurant, chooses to observe at her new location.

A month ago, Ashanti moved from Hope Gardens to establish its oasis in the heart of the city, just in time for Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a holiday based on African traditions of celebrating the harvesting of first fruits. It runs from December 26 to January 1, celebrating African heritage and culture. The 29th of December, the Ujamaa, represents co-operative economics when everyone works together for the economic good of the family and community.

Different principles

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa represents a different principle. The first day of Kwanzaa, December 26, called Ujoma, represents unity, working towards and maintaining unity in the family and community. The second principle Kujicagulia, focuses on self determination. defining and speaking for one's self.

Ujima is all about working together and sharing. Nai focuses on self examination and how your personal goals can be beneficial to the entire community. Kumba means purpose and represents showing creativity and strength to the community and the final principle, Imani represents faith, honouring the best of tradition, mankind and self.

New location

But the location is not the only thing new at Ashanti Oasis. They are now opened from 7 a.m offering breakfast and some new offerings on the menu. Among them are wraps and burgers. The new space can accommodate 100 diners for breakfast and lunch.

With the larger space, Ashanti has increased its offerings to vegetarians. There is a Sunday brunch every last Sunday of each month. But one thing that hasn't changed is the quality you are guaranteed at Ashanti. All the meals are made from scratch using 100 per cent all natural ingredients. Nothing canned or from any packaged. Hope notes that diabetics and persons who have hypertension are also welcomed at her oasis.

The new location also boasts a private dining area that can accommodate 15 to 20 persons for business lunch. This will be in place for January 2011 as will their fine dining vegetarian restaurant to be opened at Villa Roni in February. So in the spirit of the season which is about everything good, treat your body to a wholesome meal at Ashanti Oasis vegetarian restaurant.

Visit Ashanti Oasis at 38A Trafalgar Road or call 906-6465.

nashauna.drummond@gleanerjm.com