| Kwanzaa | |
|---|---|
 Kwanzaa celebration with its founder, Maulana Karenga, and others | |
| Observed by | African Americans |
| Type | Cultural and ethnic |
| Significance | Celebrates Black heritage, unity and culture. |
| Date | December 26 until January 1 |
| Celebrations | Unity Self-Determination Collective Work and Responsibility Cooperative Economics Purpose Creativity Faith |
| Related to | Black History Month |
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Kwanzaa is a week longcelebration held in theUnited States to honor universalAfrican heritage andculture. People light a kinara (candle holder with seven candles)[1] and give each other gifts. It takes place from December 26 to January 1 every year. It was created byMaulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966 - 1967. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa.[2] The holiday greeting is "Joyous Kwanzaa".[3][4][5]
Kwanzaa is a celebration that started in theblack nationalist movement of the 1960s. It was created as a way to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage.[source?]
The name Kwanzaa comes from theSwahili phrasematunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest.[6]
During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said that it was meant to be an alternative toChristmas, thatJesus was psychotic, and thatChristianity was a white religion that black people should shun.[7] However, as Kwanzaa became more popular, Karenga changed his position so that practicing Christians could also feel included. He stated in the 1997Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture, "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday."[8]
Many Christian African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.[9]
Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, orNguzo Saba (originallyNguzu Saba—the seven principles of blackness). Karenga said that this "is acommunitarian African philosophy," . It consists of what Karenga called "the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." These seven principles compriseKawaida, aSwahili term fortradition andreason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles, as follows:
Kwanzaa symbols include a decorative mat on which other symbols are placed,corn and other crops, a candle holder with seven candles, called akinara, a communal cup for pouringlibations, gifts, a poster of the seven principles, and a black, red, and green flag. The symbols were designed to convey the seven principles.[10]
During Kwanzaa, families also decorate their households with objects of art. They use colorful African cloth such askente, especially the wearing ofkaftans by women. Fresh fruits that represent African idealism are also used. It is normal to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors.Libations are shared, generally with a commonchalice (a shared cup),Kikombe cha Umoja, passed around to all people present. A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness, reflection on thePan-African colors, a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and, finally, a feast (Karamu). The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa isHabari Gani?[11] which is Swahili for "What's the News?"[12]
Cultural exhibitions include the Spirit of Kwanzaa, an annual celebration held at theJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featuringinterpretive dance,African dance, song and poetry.[13][14]
