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Honoring African heritage and cultural values Related Links The Principles of Kwanzaa The Seven Symbols Kwanzaa Word Search Encyclopedia: Kwanzaa Winter Holidays African American History Timeline Other African-American Holidays Juneteenth Martin Luther King, Jr., Day The year 2016 will see the 50th annual Kwanzaa, the African American holiday celebrated from December 26 to January 1. It is estimated that some 18 million African Americans take part in Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas. It was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in Los Angeles in 1966. He is now a professor of Africana Studies at California State University. At this time of great social change for African Americans, Karenga sought to design a celebration that would honor African heritage and the values of African cultures, and inspire African Americans who were working for progress. Kwanzaa is based on the year-end harvest festivals that have taken place in many different African cultures for thousands of years. The name comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits of the harvest.” Karenga chose a phrase from Swahili because the language is used by various peoples throughout Africa. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa honors a different principle. These principles are believed to have been key to building strong, productive families and communities in Africa. During Kwanzaa, celebrants greet each other with “Habari gani,” or “What’s the news?” The principles of Kwanzaa form the answers. The Principles of Kwanzaa umoja (oo-MOH-ja) Meaning: unity Action: building a community that holds together kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) Meaning: self-determination Action: speaking for yourself and making choices that benefit the community ujima (oo-JEE-mah) Meaning: collective work and responsibility Action: helping others within the community ujamaa (oo-JAH-ma) Meaning: cooperative economics Action: supporting businesses that care about the community nia (nee-AH) Meaning: a sense of purpose Action: setting goals that benefit the community kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Meaning: creativity Action: making the community better and more beautiful imani (ee-MAH-nee) Meaning: faith Action: believing that a better world can be created for communities now and in the future Colorful Celebrations Families gather for the great feast of karamu on December 31. Karamu may be held at a home, community center, or church. Celebrants enjoy traditional African dishes as well as those featuring ingredients Africans brought to the United States, such as sesame seeds (benne), peanuts (groundnuts), sweet potatoes, collard greens, and spicy sauces. Especially at karamu, Kwanzaa is celebrated with red, black, and green. These three colors were important symbols in ancient Africa that gained new recognition through the efforts of Marcus Garvey’s Black Nationalist movement. Green is for the fertile land of Africa; black is for the color of the people; and red is the for the blood that is shed in the struggle for freedom. The Seven Symbols Celebrants decorate with red, black, and green as well as African-style textiles and art. At the heart of Kwanzaa imagery, however, are the seven symbols. The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa kikombe cha umoja Meaning: the unity cup Action: Celebrants drink from this cup in honor of their African ancestors. Before drinking, each person says “harambee,” or “let’s pull together.” kinara Meaning: the candleholder, which holds seven candles Action: It said to symbolize stalks of corn that branch off to form new stalks, much as the human family is created. mazao Meaning: fruits, nuts, and vegetables Action: These remind celebrants of the harvest fruits that nourished the people of Africa. mishumaa saba Meaning: the seven candles that represent the seven principles Action: A different candle is lit each day. Three green candles on the left; three red candles on the right; and in the middle is a black candle. mkeka Meaning: mat Action: The symbols of Kwanzaa are arranged on the mkeka, which may be made of straw or African cloth. It symbolizes the foundation upon which communities are built. vibunzi (plural, muhindi) Meaning: ear of corn Action: Traditionally, one ear of corn is placed on the mkeka for each child present. zawadi Meaning: gifts Action: Traditionally, educational and cultural gifts are given to children on January 1, the last day of Kwanzaa. More from Winter Holiday Roundup

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Honoring African heritage and cultural values

The year 2016 will see the 50th annual Kwanzaa, the African American holiday celebrated from December 26 to January 1. It is estimated that some 18 million African Americans take part in Kwanzaa.

The Principles of Kwanzaa The Seven Symbols Kwanzaa Word Search Encyclopedia: Kwanzaa Winter Holidays African American History Timeline

Other African-American Holidays

Juneteenth Martin Luther King, Jr., Day

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas. It was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in Los Angeles in 1966. He is now a professor of Africana Studies at California State University. At this time of great social change for African Americans, Karenga sought to design a celebration that would honor African heritage and the values of African cultures, and inspire African Americans who were working for progress.

Kwanzaa is based on the year-end harvest festivals that have taken place in many different African cultures for thousands of years. The name comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits of the harvest.” Karenga chose a phrase from Swahili because the language is used by various peoples throughout Africa.

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba)

Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa honors a different principle. These principles are believed to have been key to building strong, productive families and communities in Africa. During Kwanzaa, celebrants greet each other with “Habari gani,” or “What’s the news?” The principles of Kwanzaa form the answers.

The Principles of Kwanzaa

umoja (oo-MOH-ja) Meaning: unity Action: building a community that holds together

kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) Meaning: self-determination Action: speaking for yourself and making choices that benefit the community

ujima (oo-JEE-mah) Meaning: collective work and responsibility Action: helping others within the community

ujamaa (oo-JAH-ma) Meaning: cooperative economics Action: supporting businesses that care about the community

nia (nee-AH) Meaning: a sense of purpose Action: setting goals that benefit the community

kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Meaning: creativity Action: making the community better and more beautiful

imani (ee-MAH-nee) Meaning: faith Action: believing that a better world can be created for communities now and in the future

Colorful Celebrations

Families gather for the great feast of karamu on December 31. Karamu may be held at a home, community center, or church. Celebrants enjoy traditional African dishes as well as those featuring ingredients Africans brought to the United States, such as sesame seeds (benne), peanuts (groundnuts), sweet potatoes, collard greens, and spicy sauces.

Especially at karamu, Kwanzaa is celebrated with red, black, and green. These three colors were important symbols in ancient Africa that gained new recognition through the efforts of Marcus Garvey’s Black Nationalist movement. Green is for the fertile land of Africa; black is for the color of the people; and red is the for the blood that is shed in the struggle for freedom.

The Seven Symbols

Celebrants decorate with red, black, and green as well as African-style textiles and art. At the heart of Kwanzaa imagery, however, are the seven symbols.

The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa

kikombe cha umoja Meaning: the unity cup Action: Celebrants drink from this cup in honor of their African ancestors. Before drinking, each person says “harambee,” or “let’s pull together.”

kinara Meaning: the candleholder, which holds seven candles Action: It said to symbolize stalks of corn that branch off to form new stalks, much as the human family is created.

mazao Meaning: fruits, nuts, and vegetables Action: These remind celebrants of the harvest fruits that nourished the people of Africa.

mishumaa saba Meaning: the seven candles that represent the seven principles Action: A different candle is lit each day. Three green candles on the left; three red candles on the right; and in the middle is a black candle.

mkeka Meaning: mat Action: The symbols of Kwanzaa are arranged on the mkeka, which may be made of straw or African cloth. It symbolizes the foundation upon which communities are built.

vibunzi (plural, muhindi) Meaning: ear of corn Action: Traditionally, one ear of corn is placed on the mkeka for each child present.

zawadi Meaning: gifts Action: Traditionally, educational and cultural gifts are given to children on January 1, the last day of Kwanzaa.

Honoring African heritage and cultural values#

Other African-American Holidays#

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba)#

The Principles of Kwanzaa#

Colorful Celebrations#

The Seven Symbols#

The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa#