Kwanzaa: Everything to Know About the African-Inspired Holiday

The week-long celebration begins every year on December 26 and continues until the New Year

While most of the focus in December is on Santa Claus, menorahs, Christmas movies and winter weather, there is another important American holiday at the end of the year: Kwanzaa.

The holiday – which began in 1966 – is a week-long celebration of African-American culture, values ​​and family. For more on its origins and the beauty of its meaning, keep reading.

What is Kwanzaa?

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Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. According to the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), the holiday was founded in 1966 by activist and author Maulana Ron Karenga, PhD (pictured above).

The word Kwanzaa is a Swahili word derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, which means “first fruits”. The holiday is based on African harvest festivals that include lots of dancing and music.

When is Kwanzaa 2023?

Kwanzaa 2023 begins on Tuesday, December 26, and runs through Monday, January 1, 2024.

How did Kwanzaa begin?

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On August 11, 1965, a series of riots in which 34 people died—with more than 1,000 injured and nearly 4,000 arrested—broke out in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles. Per The New York TimesThe Watts Riot, as the riots were later called, stemmed from the arrest of 21-year-old Marquette Frye, who, along with his brother Ronald Frye, had been pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving.

The situation escalated and sparked a riot between the predominantly black community of Watts and the police. The riots lasted six days and resulted in $40 million in material damage.

After the riots, Dr. Karenga wanted to find a unifying force for the black community and that’s when Kwanzaa was born.

How do people celebrate Kwanzaa?

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According to the NMAAHC, Kwanzaa is centered on seven principles: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economy), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). .

The holiday is also symbolized by seven candles: one black, which represents people of African origin; three red ones, symbolizing their struggle; and three greens, which represent the country and hope for the future. Kwanzaa candles are placed on a candle holder called a kinara.

During each day of Kwanzaa, one of the candles is lit to commemorate each of the seven principles.

What are some Kwanzaa traditions?

Markham African Caribbean Canadian Association Kwanzaa Celebration at Milliken Mills High School on December 14, 2013.

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Kwanzaa embodies several traditions. According to the official Kwanzaa website, people say, “Habari gani?” which means “What’s new?” in Swahili, to greet each other during the seven days of celebration. The answer is one of the Kwanzaa principles. So if someone says, “Habari gani?” you would answer, “Umoja,” on the first day, “Kujichagulia,” on the second, “Ujima on the third,” etc.

Another tradition is the Kwanzaa feast on the sixth night. Called karamu, the feast is an opportunity for everyone to dine and socialize together. There are no special foods that celebrants need to prepare, so you can fill your table with all the hearty carbs and delicious sweets their hearts desire.

Gift-giving during Kwanzaa is mostly reserved for children, although adults are also welcome to exchange gifts with each other. However, since the holiday was created to strengthen self-determination, creativity and purpose within the community, it is strongly recommended that all gifts be handmade. For those who are not crafty, the best gift is with a cultural theme – such as a book, art or fashion accessory.

Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education