12/26/2022
Kwanzaa is celebrated by nearly 30 million people around the world, across countries all over the world, not just in the United States. The first-ever Kwanzaa celebration occurred in 1966. The name “Kwanzaa” from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” means “first fruits.”
Kwanzaa centers around seven principles:
Umoja (unity)
Kujichagulia (self-determination)
Ujima (collective work and responsibility) Ujamaa (cooperative economics)
Nia (purpose)
Kuumba (creativity)
Imani (faith)
Kwanzaa also has seven symbols:
Mazao (crops)
Mkeka (mat)
Kinara (candleholder)
Muhindi (corn)
Kikombe cha umoja (unity cup)
Zawadi (gifts)
Mishumaa saba (seven candles)–that are traditionally arranged on a table. Three of the seven candles are red, representing the struggle; three of the candles are green, representing the land and hope for the future; and one of the candles is black, representing people of African descent.
Some families who celebrate Kwanzaa dress up or decorate their homes in those colors. Homemade and educational gifts are encouraged. In order to avoid over-commercialization, gifts handed out to family members on the last day of Kwanzaa are often homemade.
Kwanzaa is based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa. “Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one with an inherent spiritual quality,” Dr. Maulana Karenga, creator of Kwanzaa holiday. According to Karenga, non-Black people can also enjoy Kwanzaa, just as non-Mexicans commemorate Cinco de Mayo, for example. While Kwanzaa is specifically a celebration of African people and their culture, Karenga has emphasized that the holiday can be celebrated by people who aren't of African descent, in the same way that people celebrate Irish culture on St. Patrick's Day.
