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Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, is a seven-day cultural festival to honor African heritage in African-American culture. Maulana Karenga, a professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966 as the first specifically African-American holiday following the Watts riots in Los Angeles.
The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a non-tribal African language spoken in much of the African continent.
The holiday is a time for reflection upon African American culture, community, and values guided by the Nguzo Saba, or seven principles.
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa Are:
1. Unity (Umoja)
2. Self-determination (Kujichagulia)
3. Collective work and responsibility (Ujima)
4. Cooperative economics (Ujamaa)
5. Purpose (Nia)
6. Creativity (Kuumba)
7. Faith (Imani)
Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle. Celebrants light a candle on the Kinara (candle holder), one for each day, and discuss the day's principle. The Kinara holds seven candles—three red on the left, three green on the right, and a black candle in the center.
Families gather during Kwanzaa to share feasts (Karamu), music, dance, poetry, narratives, and African drums. Traditional foods include dishes originating in various parts of Africa and commonly include ingredients like sesame seeds, peanuts (groundnuts), sweet potatoes, collard greens, and spicy sauces.
Gifts are exchanged primarily among children and are often educational or cultural items. The holiday culminates in a day of reflection where participants ask themselves and each other questions about their lives, their community, and their progression.
Over the years, Kwanzaa has spread in popularity in the United States and worldwide. The holiday fosters a sense of unity and pride among those of African descent. It is a secular holiday celebrated by people of any religious faith.
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