Holidays: Celebrating Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a celebration that takes place from December 26th to January 1st. It is a special time designed originally for people whose ancestors came from Africa. Kwanzaa is a time to honor those ancestors. It is a time to give thanks and enjoy the blessings of living together as a family and community. Kwanzaa also is a time for everyone to find out about the rich cultures of Africa.

Kwanzaa celebrations include singing, speaking, dancing, and playing music. The musicians often play traditional instruments that have been used in Africa for hundreds of years. Through these expressions of life, people share the values and ideas that many Africans and others around the world think are important. These ideas are stated in seven principles , rules to live by.

The Seven Principles

There are seven principles upon which Kwanzaa was founded. These are rules, for good behavior or ways to act. These rules help individuals become positive, contributing members to their community and world. These principles, called Nguzo Saba (en-GOO-zoh SAH-bah), are:

	Umoja (oo-MOH-jah) - unity (being as one, living and working together)
	Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah) - self determination (being persistent in one's efforts)
	Ujima (oo-JEE-mah) - collective (group) work and responsibility
	Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) - cooperative economics (business trade and sharing)
	Nia (NEE-ah) - purpose
	Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) - creativity (making and discovering new things and ideas)
	Imani (ee-MAH-nee) - faith (belief)

The Seven Days of Kwanzaa, and Its Symbols

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven principles. The lighting of a candle each day represents or symbolizes a principle.

There are other symbols of Kwanzaa. For example, the candelabra that holds the seven candles is called a kinara (kee-NAH-rah). The colors of the candles are red, green, and black. These also are the colors of the bendera (bayn-DAY-rah) or flag. This flag was created many years before the start of Kwanzaa. Marcus Garvey, an African American, made the flag as a symbol for people to remember their roots in Africa.

The straw mat that the kinara is placed on is a mkeka (em-KAY-kah). Ears of corn also are placed on the mat, one to represent each child in the household. A fruit basket is placed on the mkeka. The unity cup also is placed on the mkeka and is called the kikombe cha umoja (kee-KOHM-bay chah oo-MO-jah).

Finally, all the gifts that are traditionally given on the last day of Kwanzaa are called the zawadi (zah-WAH-dee).

The Sixth Day

On the evening of the sixth day (December 31st) there is a feast called Karamu (Kah-RAH-moo). This is the main focus of Kwanzaa. Often people do dances, play music, and sing songs that are still done in Africa. This helps them understand traditional African culture. Sometimes people even create new movement and music expressions to celebrate Kwanzaa. The program for the Karamu generally has a welcome. Then everyone remembers his or her ancestors. They think about what they are doing now and pledge always to live by their values, what is really good and important. Finally they rejoice and have a farewell statement that calls for greater unity with everyone helping each other.

The Seventh and Last Day

The last day of Kwanzaa focuses on honoring tradition and reaffirming self worth, making sure that everyone knows they are important. They give gifts to remind everyone how important each member of the family is. The gifts often are homemade rather than bought because Kwanzaa is about creativity or kuumba. Being creative is one of the seven principles.

Although in Africa, Kwanzaa was a time to be happy about the beginning of the harvest, the celebration today emphasizes bringing people together. It reminds them how important they are to one another. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday but it is a very special time to remember traditional African cultures. African people have made many important contributions to other countries. They have made a difference in cultures around the world throughout history.