The month of December, especially around Christmas time, is a time when many people are in celebration and festive moods. Families and friends re-unite to make merry and unwind.
The Christians find this time very crucial because they get to celebrate the birth of their savior-Jesus Christ.
On the other hand, the Afro-Americans in the United States take this time to mark the gift of life and their culture.
This festival is known as Kwanzaa, and it runs from 26th December to 1st January. Dr. Maulana Karenga, an activist, and humanist, is the one who introduced this festival.
From December 1966 to January 1967 is when the celebration took place for the first time.
The word ‘Kwanzaa’ comes from the Swahili language, and it means ‘first.’ The name has an extra ‘a’ to symbolize the seven principles of the festival.
The purpose of the celebration is to give a platform for offering the first harvest. It also brings African Americans together to celebrate their culture.
A movement known as the Black Nationalist is the root of this festival.
Principles of Kwanzaa
Just like the name ‘Kwanzaa’ is spelled using seven letters, so does the celebration consist of seven principles which are popularly known as Nguzo Saba.
The festival runs for seven days, which implies that each day is meant to celebrate a particular tenet of the festival.
The principles consist of a common phenomenon among people, and they include:
- Unity (Umoja) – Bringing people together and unifying them in families, communities, and race.
- Self-determination (Kujichagulia) – The African Americans are supposed to define and stand up for themselves.
- Collective work and responsibility (Ujima) – Bringing togetherness and solving problems in unison.
- Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa) – Creating businesses and profiting from them as a community.
- Purpose (Nia) – Developing the community to regain the greatness of the people.
- Creativity (Kuumba) – Striving to make the community better than before.
- Faith (Imani) – Fully believe in people such as leaders, teachers and parents and victory after suffering.
Symbols of Kwanzaa
Several symbols indicate the celebration of this festival, and they include;
- Crops (Mazao) – show that African Americans have been in Agriculture for long and their collective labor has paid off.
- Mat (Mkeka) – Holds the other symbols.
- Candleholder (Kinara) – Reminds the people of their ancestral origins.
- Maize (Mahindi) – Symbolizes the younger generation.
- Gifts (Zawadi) – Show the self-sacrifice of the parents to their children.
- Unity Cup (Kikombe cha Umoja) – Used to spill tribute to the ancestors.
- Seven candles (Mishumaa Saba) – They represent the seven principles of the festival. They also show the seven colors of Africa liberation movements’ flags which are three green, three red, and one black.
During these celebrations, the standard greeting is ‘Habari Gani,’ a Swahili greeting which translates to ‘how are you?’
Some of the exercises that take place during this time include the pouring of libations, music, and dance. The African Pledge is also readout and sharing of libations by the celebrants.
Just like in any other celebration, there is an exchange of gifts. Houses of the participants are decorated using art objects and African cloths.
In the recent past, even non-African Americans have taken part in the celebrations of Kwanzaa.
On the night of 31st December, those who participate in the festival get a chance of having cuisine from various African countries.
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Main Points About Kwanzaa
- Kwanzaa is a week-long annual celebration for the African American people. It is mostly celebrated in the United States of America.
- It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966. The celebration begins on 26th December and ends on the 1st of January.
- The word Kwanzaa is from the Swahili phrase ‘matunda ya kwanza’ meaning ‘first fruits’.
- During the festival, seven candles (three red candles, one black candle, and 3 green candles) are lit one after the other.
- The seven candles and days are symbolic of the seven Kwanzaa principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, and faith.
Conclusion
It is always joy and fun during the Christmas season all around the world. However, for African Americans, it is a very crucial moment for them to celebrate Kwanzaa.
The festival is significant and runs from 26th December to 1st January. Its primary importance is bringing the people of this race together to commemorate their culture.
Word Cloud for Kwanzaa
The following is a collection of the most used terms in this article on Kwanzaa. This should help in recalling related terms as used in this article at a later stage for you.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa
- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/26/kwanzaa-african-american-holiday-celebrated-2019/4374651002/
- https://www.edarabia.com/kwanzaa/
Last Updated : 24 November, 2023
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Chara Yadav holds MBA in Finance. Her goal is to simplify finance-related topics. She has worked in finance for about 25 years. She has held multiple finance and banking classes for business schools and communities. Read more at her bio page.
The principles of Kwanzaa offer valuable insights and guidance for fostering unity and empowerment within any community. It’s a celebration that holds universal relevance.
I couldn’t agree more, the principles of Kwanzaa have the potential to inspire positive change in society.
I’m glad to see the inclusivity of Kwanzaa, with even non-African Americans participating. It’s a demonstration of solidarity and respect for the culture.
Absolutely, it’s heartwarming to see people coming together to celebrate and support one another.
The principles of Kwanzaa are truly inspiring. The emphasis on unity, self-determination, and collective responsibility is something that can be applied universally, not just within the African American community.
I couldn’t agree more! These principles could benefit all of society if embraced and practiced.
I find it fascinating how different cultures and religions have their own unique ways of celebrating during this time of year. It’s a beautiful way to bring people together and celebrate diversity.
Interesting, but I think that some traditions could be seen as divisive rather than unifying.
I completely agree with you! It’s so important to recognize and appreciate the diversity in our world.
The inclusive nature of Kwanzaa is truly heartwarming. It’s a beautiful representation of unity and respect for cultural diversity.
Absolutely, the inclusivity of Kwanzaa sends a powerful message of solidarity and mutual understanding.
I don’t see why there needs to be a separate celebration. It only divides people further.
I had no idea about the history and traditions of Kwanzaa before reading this article. It’s enlightening to learn about other cultures and the significance of their celebrations.
Absolutely, the more we learn about different cultures, the more we can appreciate and respect each other.
I disagree, I think it’s unnecessary to have so many different celebrations. We should all just celebrate together as one.
I appreciate the educational aspect of Kwanzaa, as well as the emphasis on unity and collective action. It’s a powerful message for any culture or community.
I don’t see the appeal. The principles seem overly idealistic and impractical in today’s society.
Definitely, the principles of Kwanzaa hold important lessons for all of us, regardless of background.
The symbolism and traditions of Kwanzaa are rich with meaning and history. It’s a testament to the strength and resilience of the African American community.
Indeed, the symbols and rituals of Kwanzaa hold deep significance and serve as a source of pride for the community.
As a member of the black community, I appreciate the recognition and celebration of our culture through Kwanzaa. It’s an important reminder of our heritage and values.
It’s wonderful to see the preservation and celebration of cultural identity. Kwanzaa is a beautiful way to honor your heritage.
The traditions and symbols of Kwanzaa are a beautiful way to preserve and honor African American culture. It’s a celebration of resilience and community.
Absolutely, the cultural significance of Kwanzaa is something to be admired and respected.