Today is the first day of Kwanzaa. There wasn’t a “Kwanzaa” when I was growing up — in fact, Kwanzaa didn’t exist until 1966. Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday celebrating African-American culture that was created by American professor Dr. Maulana Karenga, following the Watts Riots of 1965.
Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration — not a religious one. It is a seven-day ritual to welcome the first harvest to the home for the New Year. The observance celebrates community rather than reliance on a higher power, and is observed annually from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa is a Swahili word for “first.”
Professor Karenga designed seven principles of Kwanzaa — to connect Black Americans to their African roots by uplifting the community by recognizing and honoring traditional African family values. These seven principles are known as Nguza Saba in Swahili and are the foundation Kwanzaa is built on — here are the concepts, in English and Swahili:
Unity (Umoja)
Self-determination (Kujichagulia)
Collective work and responsibility (Ujima)
Cooperative economics (Ujamaa)
Purpose (Nia)
Creativity (Kuumba)
Faith (lmani)
Traditionally, Kwanzaa has been celebrated in family homes, schools, and larger venues with African musicians and dancers, food, poetry, and performances by children are showcased. At home, families gather to discuss the seven principles and light a candle each day — each candle represents a different principle of the seven principles
The seven principles are observed by millions of African people throughout the world — from Unity to Faith, these concepts call on celebrants to practice the best of what it means to be African and human in the world.
Everyone is encouraged to practice the principles of Kwanzaa that stress quality human relationships, strong ties within the family and community, and putting the collective community ahead of the individual. That sounds like a holiday that should be celebrated by everyone — not just the Black community…..
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