KWANZAA

KWANZAA

In 1966 Maulana Karenga decided that African Americans needed a time of cultural reaffirmation. He looked to East Africa for inspiration for a new celebration. 

The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili word kwanza, meaning “first,” as in the phrase matunda ya kwanza (first fruits). The second “a” distinguishes the African American from the African kwanza. An apocryphal tale is told that during one of the early Kwanzaa celebrations, a children’s pageant was held, with each child holding up a card with the letters of the word kwanza, which at the time was spelled with one “a.” One child was left, letterless and weeping, at the end of the row. A second “a” was quickly produced, the day was saved, and the holiday was forever after known as Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa, a time of fasting, of feasting, and self-examination, is held annually from December 26 to January 1. The celebration is guided by the Nguzo Saba or Seven Principles. Each day of the week-long festival is devoted to the celebration of one of these building blocks of self-awareness.

Umoja - Unity
Kujichagulia - Self-Determination
Ujima - Collective Work & Responsibility
Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics
Nia - Purpose
Kuumba - Creativity
Imani - Faith


A key tradition during Kwanzaa is the daily lighting of the candles in the Kinara or candleholder. Seven candles represent the Seven Principles. Black, Red, and Green candles are used. The Black candle symbolizes the people themselves, the three red candles are for the struggle or bloodshed in the past, and the three green candles represent earth or the abundance of the possibilities the future holds. 
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