About Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which has at the root of its celebration; family, community, and culture.

Kwanzaa was established in 1966 during the throws of the Black Freedom movement by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at California State University in Long Beach California. It was his intention to derive a way for African Americans to preserve and promote the African American culture. His goal was not to create another religious holiday, but rather to establish Kwanzaa as a cultural celebration that made itself available to Africans of all religious backgrounds, allowing them to come together based on the very nature of their African diversity.

This holiday takes its name from the first recorded harvest celebrations that took place in Africa and is derived from the phrase -"matunda ya kwanza" - which means "first fruits' in Swahili. It builds on the five fundamental activities of the "first fruit" celebrations - gathering, reverence, commemoration, re-commitment, and celebration.

During the Kwanzaa celebrations people gather together in order to reaffirm the bonds between them, they take time to honor the creator for their blessings, they commemorate the past in light of lessons learned and knowledge gained, they recommit to cultural ideals, and they celebrate the goodness all around them in life, family, community, and culture.

There are seven principles of Kwanzaa also known as the Nguzo Saba that promotes values of the experiences of coming together as a community. These seven principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

There are also seven basic symbols of Kwanzaa that go along with the Nguzo Saba that represents values and concepts reflecting African culture. These symbols are: Mazao (The Crops) which are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and the rewards of a collective and productive labor; Mkeka (The Mat) is symbolic of the foundation which African Americans build their lives; Kinara (The Candle Holder) represents the African roots and heritage; Muhindi (The Corn) is used to represent the children and their productive futures; Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles) is a visual symbol for the seven principles using one black candle in the middle with three green candles and three red candles flanking it on each side; Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup) represents the foundation and practice of unity which enables all endeavors; and Zawadi (The Gifts) are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the ongoing commitment being kept alive by their children.

The designated dates for the Kwanzaa celebration are from December 26^th through January 1^st.