What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African celebration which honors family, community and culture. It is a secular practice celebrated from December 26th through January 1st. Its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which Kwanzaa takes its name, derived from the phrase matunda ya kwanza, or "first fruits" in Swahili. Swahili language is the most widely spoken Pan-African language.

Kwanzaa was established in 1966 in the midst of the Black Freedom Movement by Dr. Maulana Karenga», Professor, Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, an author, scholar and activist who stressed the indispensable need to preserve, promote and continually revitalize African American culture.

Kwanzaa was created to reaffirm and restore African Americans' rootedness in African culture. It is an expression of recovery and reconstruction of African culture, conducted in the general context of the Black Liberation Movement of the 1960's. Secondly, Kwanzaa was created to serve as a regular communal celebration to reaffirm and reinforce the bonds between African Americans as a people, to strengthen community and reaffirm common identity, purpose and direction in a world community. Thirdly, Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles):

Umoja (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)

www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

Mazao (The Crops)
Symbolic of the African harvest celebrations and of
the rewards of productive and collective labor.

Mkeka (The Mat)
Symbolic of African tradition and history;
the foundation on which to build.

Muhindi (The Corn)
Symbolic of the children and the
future they embody.

Kinara (The Candle Holder)
Symbolic of continental Africans; the
ancestors as a collective whole.

Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles)
Symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles; the heart
of the value system that is the foundation of Kwanzaa.

Kinara (The Candle Holder)
Symbolic of continental Africans; the
ancestors as a collective whole.

Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles)
Symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles; the heart
of the value system that is the foundation of Kwanzaa.

Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup)
Symbolic of the foundational principle and practice
of unity which makes all else possible.

Zawadi (The Gifts)
Symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the
commitments made and kept by the children.