Kwanzaa is an annual holiday that celebrates African culture and unity. It is observed from December 26th to January 1st and was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. The holiday is based on the principles of Nguzo Saba, which means "seven principles" in Swahili.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are:
Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
During the week-long celebration, families and communities come together to light candles on a Kinara, a seven-candle holder that represents the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Each day focuses on a different principle and includes storytelling, music, and traditional African cuisine.
Kwanzaa is an important holiday for many African Americans as it provides an opportunity to connect with their cultural heritage and values. It also serves as a reminder of the struggles and triumphs of the African American community throughout history.
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