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Kwanzaa: A Celebration of African-American Culture

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Kwanzaa: A Celebration of African-American Culture and Values

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held from December 26th to January 1st that honors African-American culture and values. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of African studies at California State University, Long Beach, as a way for African-Americans to reconnect with their African heritage and celebrate their unique identity.

Kwanzaa is based on seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, which are:

  1. Umoja (Unity): Striving for and maintaining unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
  2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): Defining ourselves, naming ourselves, speaking for ourselves, and creating for ourselves.
  3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Building and maintaining our community together and making our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and solving them together.
  4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): Building and maintaining our own stores, shops, and other businesses and profit from them together.
  5. Nia (Purpose): Making our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
  6. Kuumba (Creativity): Always do things to improve our community and make our lives more beautiful and beneficial.
  7. Imani (Faith): Believing with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

These principles are represented by seven symbols, or Kinara, which are:

  1. Kikombe Cha Umoja (Unity Cup): A cup that is used to pour libations, or offerings, to the ancestors.
  2. Kinara (Candle Holder): A holder for seven candles, which represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
  3. Mazao (Fruits, Nuts, and Vegetables): These represent the harvest and the bounty of the earth.
  4. Mishumaa Saba (Seven Candles): These represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
  5. Mkeka (Place Mat): A mat that is placed under the Kinara.
  6. Vibunzi (Ear of Corn): These represent the children of the community.
  7. Zawadi (Gifts): These are given to children on January 1st, the last day of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa is a time for families and communities to come together and celebrate their African heritage. It is a time to reflect on the past, present, and future, and to recommit to the principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

If you are interested in learning more about Kwanzaa, there are many resources available online and in libraries. You can also find Kwanzaa celebrations taking place in many cities and towns across the United States.