Kwanzaa Facts, Trivia and History

Test your knowledge of Kwanzaa history and facts with this insightful Kwanzaa trivia quiz. There are a total of 12 multiple-choice trivia questions. Answers to the Kwanzaa facts trivia can be found at the end of the quiz.

1. What is the core purpose of Kwanzaa?
a) To commemorate the civil rights movement b) To honor important black leaders like Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama c) To celebrate African American heritage d) To advocate for a unified Africa

2. Kwanzaa starts on ________.
a) December 26 b) December 31 c) January 1 d) January 17 e) Varies by year

3. How do people celebrate Kwanzaa?
a) Decorate homes with African cultural themes b) Enjoy traditional African music and songs c) Perform ethnic dances d) Light a kinara e) All of the above

4. How long does Kwanzaa celebration last?
a) One day b) Three days c) One week d) One month e) None of the above

5. Which of the following is NOT one of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa?
a) Unity b) Self-determination c) Collective work and responsibility d) Socialism e) Creativity

6. Who founded the Kwanzaa holiday?
a) Malcolm X b) Nelson Mandela c) Maulana Ron Karenga d) Barack Obama e) Frederick Douglass

7. The first observance of Kwanzaa took place in what year.
a) 1956 b) 1966 c) 1976 d) 1986 e) 1996

8. The kinara is an important symbol of Kwanzaa. What is a kinara?
a) Festive candle b) Candle holder c) A popular African fruit d) A traditional dance e) A musical instrument

9. The word "Kwanzaa" means ________.
a) History b) Heritage c) Unified Africa d) First fruit e) Togetherness

10. How many candles can a kinara hold?
a) 3 b) 5 c) 7 d) 9 e) Varies

11. Which of the following documentaries is about the Kwanzaa holiday?
a) The Black Candle b) The Black List c) Black is... Black Ain't d) Motherland e) Color Adjustment

12. True or False. Kwanzaa is a public holiday in the United States .

Answer Key:
1)c 2)a 3)e 4)c 5)d 6)c 7)b 8)b 9)d 10)c 11)a 12)False

Classification:
Expert - more than 9 correct
Intermediate - 7 to 9 correct
Novice - less than 7 correct