Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, as a way to unite the community following the Watts Rebellion. Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanzaa" which means "first fruits" in Swahili.

Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. Each night, a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candle holder), then one of the seven principles is discussed.

WHAT IS KWANZAA?

Kikombe cha Umoja - Unity cup

Kinara - Candleholder which represents the roots of the community and culture

Mazao - Fruits and vegetables representing crops

Mishumaa Saba - Seven Kwanzaa candles which represent the Nguzo Saba as they are lit

Mkeka - Straw mat represents the foundation of the culture and history of the people

Muhindi - Ears of corn to represent each child in the home and an additional ear for future blessings and generations

Zawadi - Gifts traditionally given on Imani, the last day of Kwanzaa

THE 7 KWANZAA SYMBOLS

THE NGUZO SABA (THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES)

Nguzo Saba is a set of ideals created to contribute to building and reinforcing community

UNITY: UMOJA (OO-MO-JAH) - To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
SELF-DETERMINATION: KUJICHAGULIA (KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH) - To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBLITY: UJIMA (OO-GEE-MAH) - To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS: UJAMA (OO-JAH-MAH) - To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
PURPOSE: NIA (NEE-YAH) - To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
CREATIVITY: KUUMBA (KOO-OOM-BAH) - 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.
FAITH: IMANI (EE-MAH-NEE) - To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.