As the year draws to a close, millions across the United States and the African diaspora begin their annual celebration of Kwanzaa. Starting on December 26 and lasting until January 1, this week-long festival honors African ancestry and promotes principles of unity, self-determination, and collective responsibility.
Unlike other year-end holidays like Christmas or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is not associated with any religion. Instead, it focuses on culture, community, and values.
The Origins of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was established in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, an author, activist, and figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Karenga envisioned the festival as a way for African-Americans to reconnect with their heritage and instill pride within their community.
At an event in 2013, Karenga described Kwanzaa as a celebration of ethical principles and values, emphasizing, “The goodness of the world can be shared and enjoyed by us and everyone.”
The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” Karenga intentionally included seven letters in the festival’s name to align with its seven guiding principles.
When Is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa takes place annually from December 26 to January 1. The seven days of the festival correspond to the Nguzo Saba, or the Seven Principles of African Heritage:
- Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, and nation.
- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, and create for ourselves.
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and solve problems collectively.
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To support and sustain African-American businesses.
- Nia (Purpose): To commit to collective vocation and restore greatness to African communities.
- Kuumba (Creativity): To do as much as possible to leave the community more beautiful and beneficial.
- Imani (Faith): To believe in our people, parents, teachers, and the righteousness of the struggle.
How Is Kwanzaa Celebrated?
Celebrations of Kwanzaa vary, but common traditions include dancing, singing, exchanging gifts, and a large feast on the final day, known as Karamu. Homes are often adorned with symbolic decorations such as:
- The Kinara: A candle holder with seven candles — one black (center), three red (left), and three green (right). These colors represent African identity, the struggles of the past, and the hope for the future.
- Fruits and Vegetables: Representing the harvest and abundance.
- Muhindi (Corn): Symbolizing children and future generations.
- Kikombe cha Umoja (Unity Cup): Used to honor ancestors.
These items are placed on a Mkeka, a woven mat symbolizing tradition and history.
Each day of Kwanzaa begins with the lighting of a candle on the Kinara, accompanied by a discussion of the corresponding principle. Participants greet one another with the Swahili phrase “Habari Gani?”, meaning “What’s the news?”
Kwanzaa’s Impact and Popularity
Kwanzaa, though rooted in African traditions, has grown as a distinctly African-American cultural festival. It has been compared to Juneteenth in its focus on heritage and community, though its themes transcend specific historical events.
In 2009, Keith Mayes, author of Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition, estimated that between 500,000 and two million Americans celebrated Kwanzaa annually. However, a 2012 study by Public Policy Polling suggested that as many as 13 million Americans might observe the holiday.
Kwanzaa has also been embraced by schools, community organizations, and cultural institutions as a way to teach African-American history and values.