The Origins of Kwanzaa

The end of the calendar year is a time of celebration for many different religions and cultures. Christmas and Hanukkah often take most of the spotlight, but another significant observance is taking place around the same time as well. Many people have heard of Kwanzaa, but unless they have celebrated it, most don't know what it actually is.

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a celebration that started in 1966 in California as a way to unify African-Americans and honor their African heritage during the Black Rights movement. It was started by activist Maulana Karenga, who wanted to: 

"Give blacks an alternative to the existing holiday of Christmas and give blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society." 

Kwanzaa lasts from December 26th to January 1st. Its derives from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits." Karenga chose to add an extra "a" to the end of "kwanza" to make it seven letters long. He was inspired partly by the First Fruits solstice festivals celebrated in southern Africa, as well as a Zulu festival he had heard about. In 1997, Karenga retracted his earlier statement by writing that Kwanzaa was not meant to be an alternative to a holiday, but rather a time to study the Seven Principles of African Heritage. 

Up until the mid to late-90s it was celebrated by 6-12 million people, but as the Black Rights movement has died down in recent years, so has Kwanzaa. Now it is estimated that between 500,000 and 2 million people still celebrate. Originally it was against Kwanzaa values to mix the celebration with the other holidays, but now it has been incorporated into them by many of the people who still celebrate it.

How is Kwanzaa Celebrated?

There is only one main central theme to the Kwanzaa tradition, and that is the symbolism of the number Seven, representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa (or African Heritage), called the Nguzo Saba, which are:

1. Umoja (Unity): to work toward and maintain unity as a family, community, and race.
2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): to define, name, create, and speak for ourselves.
3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): to build and maintain our community, and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our own and solve them together.
4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): to build and maintain shops and businesses together and to profit from them together.
5. Nia (Purpose): to make it our mission to work together to build our community and restore the greatness of our people.
6. Kuumba (Creativity): to always do what we can to leave our community more beautiful than we inherited it.
7. Imani (Faith): to believe in our people, our teacher, our leaders, and the righteousness of our struggle.

Each day of the week-long festival represents one of the different principles. There are no set "rules" or customs to the celebration, it varies by family and location. For the most part it is seven days of feasting and gift-giving, there will often be music and dancing, poetry, and sharing stories and histories of Africa. Usually on the sixth day everyone gathers for a large feast called Karamu.

In 1975 the Kinara was introduced. It is based on the Jewish Menorah, and holds seven candles, one lit on each day, starting with the black candle in the center then moving left to right throughout the week. The candles are colored and share the same meaning as the Pan-African flag: 

• The Black candle symbolizes all Africans worldwide as a whole
• Red candles represent the blood and heart of Africa and the sacrifices made for liberation
• Green candles are the hopes for abundance and prosperity in Africa

Another common practice is the placement of the Mkeka, a special mat that is placed below the Kinara and arranged with several items, including mazao and Mahindi (crops and corn), a Kikombe cha Umoja (a cup for giving thanks to African ancestors), and Zawadi (gifts). Other items may include the flag, books, artwork, heirlooms, or anything to celebrate African culture. Homes are often decorated with fresh fruits and colorful cloths called kente.

Kwanzaa in many ways is still a growing and evolving celebration, and is way for African descendants all over the world to celebrate their culture and heritage. The overall festival is about positivity and togetherness, sharing ancestral bonds. While many people might not know exactly what Kwanzaa is, most have heard of it, and all should respect what it stands for. 

And if you do know someone who observes it, you can wish them a "Joyous Kwanzaa," which is the accepted traditional holiday greeting.