Kwanzaa

Overview: Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African American heritage. It is a weeklong celebration that takes place from December 26-January 1 st. It is most commonly celebrated in the United States, Western Africa, and other nations of the Americas.

History: Kwanzaa was created in 1965 by Maulana Karenga. It was first celebrated the following year in He created the holiday during the Black Nationalist movement of the 1960s. At first Karenga said he created the holiday to be an “oppositional alternative” to Christmas but in the 1997 he changed his position so Christians could celebrate both. Maulana Karenga

Name: The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which translates to “first fruits of the harvest.” Swahili is an East African language which demonstrates that the name is a symbol of Pan-Africanism since East Africa was not involved in the Atlantic slave trade.

Ideals: Kwanzaa celebrates the Nguzo Saba which the founder Karenga described as the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Each principle is celebrated on a different day during the weeklong celebration. The seven principles are part of Kawaida which translates to tradition.

7 Principles: The seven principles of Kwanzaa are 1.Unity 2. Self-Determination 3.Collective Work and Responsibility 4.Cooperative Economics 5.Purpose 6.Creativity 7.Faith.

Symbols: The symbols of Kwanzaa were created to correlate and reflect the ideas of the seven principles. The symbols are all placed on a decorative mat known as a Mkeka. The other symbols include corn, crops, candle holder, communal cup, a poster of the seven principles, and a black red and green flag. Mkeka

Kinara: The kinara is a candle holder and one of the symbols of Kwanzaa. The candle holder holds 7 candles which can be lit for each day of the weeklong celebration.

Decorate: During the celebration many households will decorate their house with art, African cloth known as kente, and fresh fruits. Many women will also wear kaftans.

Ceremony: A typical Kwanzaa ceremony will includes music, libations, a reading of the African pledge and principles of blackness, a discussion of the African principle of that day, lighting of the kinara, and a feast.

Exhibitions: Each year there many artistic and musical events are held in recognition of Kwanzaa. One big annual celebration is held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which include interpretive dance, African dance, songs, and poetry Maya Angelou narrated a documentary about Kwanzaa called The Black Candle.

Popularity: The National Retail Foundation estimated 1.6 % of people in American celebrate Kwanzaa which would be about 5 million people. Some people estimate as little as 1-2 million celebrate the holiday while others think as many as 30 million celebrate the holiday.