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What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a holiday in celebration of African heritage and Black culture and values that’s observed from December 26 to January 1.It is primarily observed by African Americans in the U.S. but is also celebrated in some other countries by members of the African diaspora—those whose ancestors came from Africa. Kwanzaa is an Afrocentric holiday but is not typically observed in Africa itself.As part of its celebration of the values of family and community, Kwanzaa has seven principles, each of which is named with a word in the African language of Swahili:

• umoja (unity)



• kujichagulia (self-determination)



• ujima (collective work and responsibility)



• ujamaa (cooperative economics)



• nia (purpose)



• kuumba (creativity)



• imani (faith)

Observation of Kwanzaa often includes the discussion of these principles along with daily lighting of a candle representing one of them. The seven candles (three green, one black, and three red, representing the traditional colors of Africa) are held in a candleholder called a kinara. The kinara and the candles it holds are two of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa, which also include a sampling of crops (fruits and vegetables), ears of corn, gifts, a ceremonial cup (kikombe cha umoja), and a mat on which all of these items are usually displayed during the holiday.Celebrations of Kwanzaa vary, but they often include family gatherings, music, and storytelling. A feast (karamu) is held on December 31.In the U.S., Kwanzaa is considered part of what’s known as the holiday season—the period that starts on Thanksgiving and continues until New Year’s Day and also includes the holidays of Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve.Although it occurs around other religious wintertime holidays, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, though some may observe it as a spiritual one. Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa also celebrate other holidays that fall around the same time, including Christmas.Example: Every Kwanzaa, my grandmother tells the story of our ancestors and our homeland in Nigeria.