Kwanzaa - December 26 - January 1

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday founded by Maulena Karenga in 1966. Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture. It is also a time of reaffirming African-American people as a whole.

Kwanzaa is NOT a religious holiday nor is it a substitute for Christmas.

Kwanzaa has Seven Symbols and Seven Principles as listed below:
THE SEVEN SYMBOLS:

1) Makao (crops)

2) Mkeka (mat)

3) Kinara (candle holder)

4) Vibunzi (ears of corn)

5) Zawadi (gifts)

6) Kikombe cha Umoja (the Unity cup)

7) Mishumaa Saba (the 7 candles)


The terminology used in the celebration of Kwanzaa are as follows:

*Kwanza - means "first fruits"

* Kwanzaa (with 2 a's) an African-American celebration

* Habari Gani (what's the news?)

*Harambee - let's pull together (during the celebration 7 "Harambees" are uttered)

*Karamu - the feast or culmination of activities


There are also Seven Principles that are associated with Kwanzaa, and with each day's Principle it is prefaced by the phrase "Habari Gani (what's the news?) and the response is that day's Principle. So since today is the first day of Kwanzaa, the first Principle is :

UMOJA - Unity. Unity of all people of color, unity within our communities, unity with all the people of the world. Where there is UNITY, there is STRENGTH.

For more detailed information, click on www.officialkwanzaawebsite.com or the link posted in the sidebar of my blog.