Created by: Mrs. Waterman-O’Connell

BACKGROUND Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that begins on December 26 th and ends January 1 st. The word Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili language and means “first fruits of the harvest”. It was started in 1966 by Dr.Maulana Karengz.

-Kwanzaa is a way for African Canadians to create and celebrate their own customs. -The holiday season is a time for family and friends to come together. -Family and friends gather to share food, give presents, and celebrate love and unity. -Kwanzaa celebrates the times that bind harvest to the cultural history of African Canadians. -Many ancestors of present day African Canadians were farmers.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa that celebrate the positive aspects of the African way of life.

- Means “UNITY” –working together with family, community, nation, and race. -The symbol is the “UNITY CUP” called “KIKOMBEE CHA UMOJA” - The cup is used to drink to honor our ancestors. After the toast, all members of the family drink from this cup.

- It means “SELF-DETERMINATION”- defining ourselves, renaming ourselves, speaking for ourselves, and planning for ourselves. -Its symbol is a “KINARA” which is a seven piece candle holder -Stands for our very first ancestors, man and woman, the makers of our people and principles.

-It means “COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY” – building communities, sharing and solving our problems. -The symbol is “MAZAO” which are “CROPS” - These crops represent our connection with African peoples who celebrated the planting and harvesting of foods (fruits, nuts, and vegetables)

NIA It means “PURPOSE” – striving to build our communities and to do again the things that restore our traditional values like: Have respect for our elders, for one another, and responsibility for ourselves and one another. The symbol is the seven candles called the “MISHUMAA SABA” (mee-shoo-maah-sah-bah)

The seven candles: -One black that is placed in the middle of the KINARA and stands for the African Peoples. -Three red that stands for our struggle -Three green that stand for our young people

-It means “COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS”- building and maintaining our own stores and other businesses, and profiting from them together. -The symbol is the “MKEKA” (m-kay-cha) which is the “WOVEN MAT” -This mat is a symbol of tradition and history.

-It means “CREATIVITY” – using our minds and hands to make our communities more beautiful than they were when we inherited them. -Using our hands to make gifts that record and keep our history alive! -The symbol is “VIBUNZE” (cuee-boon- zee) which are “EARS OF CORN” -Each ear of corn represents a child in the family. Each kernel represents generations to come.

-It means “FAITH” – believing with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our elders, and our teachers and victory of our struggle for equality. -The symbol is “ZAWADI” (sah-wah-dee) which are the “GIFTS”. -On the last day of Kwanzaa, meaningful gifts are given by children and adults. -These gifts are things that have been made by hand.