What is the real purpose of Kwanzaa?
The seven principles of Kwanzaa
- Umoja. Umoja means unity in Swahili. ...
- Kujichagulia. Or self-determination. ...
- Ujima. Translated as "collective work and responsibility," ujima refers to uplifting your community. ...
- Ujamaa. Cooperative economics. ...
- Nia. Nia means purpose. ...
- Kuumba. ...
- Imani. ...
Who made up Kwanzaa and why?
Maulana Karenga, a black nationalist who later became a college professor, created Kwanzaa as a way of uniting and empowering the African-African community in the aftermath of the deadly Watts riots. What are the 7 principles of Kwanzaa? The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa Umoja (oo-MOE-jah) - Unity - Joining together as a family, community and race.
Do you know the real history of Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa was started by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African activist who wanted to bring together the African-American communities. The term Kwanzaa was derived from the Swahili phrase “ matunda ya kwanza ,” which means “first fruits of the harvest.”
Why did Ron Karenga make Kwanzaa?
Why did Dr Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa? Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 to be the first pan-African holiday. Karenga said his goal was to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society."
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How did Kwanzaa begin?
American Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots as a specifically African-American holiday.
Who started Kwanzaa Why did they start it?
Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 to be the first pan-African holiday. Karenga said his goal was to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society."
What is Kwanzaa and how did it originate?
Kwanzaa is an African-Americans celebration of life from 26 December to 1 January. Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home.
Where did Kwanzaa begin?
The first day of the first Kwanzaa is celebrated in Los Angeles under the direction of Maulana Karenga, the chair of Black Studies at California State University at Long Beach. The seven-day holiday, which has strong African roots, was designed by Dr.
Who really invented Kwanzaa?
The holiday was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate family, culture and heritage, and is modeled after the first harvest celebrations in Africa. There are 7 Principles and 7 Primary Symbols that emphasize a unique set of values and ideals during the 7 days of Kwanzaa… also spelled with 7letters.
When did Kwanzaa start history?
Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, created Kwanzaa in 1966. After the Watts riots in Los Angeles, Dr. Karenga searched for ways to bring African Americans together as a community.
When did Kwanzaa begin in history?
1966Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach after the Watts Riots in Los Angeles. The goal of this holiday was to bring African Americans together as a community.
What do the 7 candles in Kwanzaa stand for?
This chalice symbolizes the principle of unity, 'which makes all else possible.” ' The seven candles (Mishumaa Saba): These represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa - unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
Is Kwanzaa a African holiday?
Kwanzaa is rooted in African culture, however, people from all racial and ethnic backgrounds are welcomed to join in the celebration.
What are some fun facts about Kwanzaa?
Fun Facts About KwanzaaMany people of African heritage in Canada also celebrate this holiday.Each of the candles represents a different principle.The candles are different colors; black, green, or red. ... It is not considered a religious holiday.The first US postage stamp commemorating Kwanzaa was issued in 1997.More items...
What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is an annual holiday celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1. It emphasizes the importance of the pan-Afric...
Who typically observes Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa was created for and is celebrated by Black Americans. Although it waned in popularity following its peak during the 1980s and 1990s, the ho...
How is Kwanzaa celebrated?
Each day of Kwanzaa is tied to one of the holiday’s seven principles: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective responsibility (...
How was Kwanzaa popularized?
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies. Kwanzaa grew in popularity with the rise of the Afrocentrist movem...
Is Kwanzaa a religious holiday?
Kwanzaa is a strictly secular holiday. Although its seven-pronged kinara bears a resemblance to the eight-pronged Jewish menorah, it has no connect...
When was Kwanzaa created?
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies. Kwanzaa grew in popularity with the rise of the Afrocentrist movement, which focused on Black self-sufficiency in rejection of white imperialist narratives and histories.
What is Kwanzaa's importance?
It emphasizes the importance of the pan-African family and corresponding social values. Kwanzaa peaked in popularity during the Afrocentrist movement of the 1980s and 1990s.
What are the seven principles of Kwanzaa?
Each day of Kwanzaa is tied to one of the holiday’s seven principles: unity ( umoja ), self-determination ( kujichagulia ), collective responsibility ( ujima ), cooperative economics ( ujamaa ), purpose ( nia ), creativity ( kuumba ), and faith ( imani ). Each day, families bring out corresponding symbols and light a new candle on the kinara ...
What is Kwanzaa in the United States?
Kwanzaa, annual holiday affirming African family and social values that is celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1. Both the name and the celebration were devised in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies at California State University in Long Beach and an important figure in Afrocentrism. Karenga borrowed the word kwanza, meaning “first,” from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, adding the seventh letter, an extra a, to make the word long enough to accommodate one letter for each of the seven children present at an early celebration. (The name Kwanzaa is not itself a Swahili word.) The concept of Kwanzaa draws on Southern African first-fruits celebrations. Kwanzaa is celebrated from Wednesday, December 26, 2021 to Saturday, January 1, 2022.
What are the symbols of the African holiday?
There also are seven symbols of the holiday: fruits, vegetables, and nuts; a straw mat; a candleholder; ears of corn (maize); gifts; a communal cup signifying unity; and seven candles in the African colours of red, green, and black, symbolizing the seven principles.
Is Kwanzaa a Christian holiday?
And although Kwanzaa is celebrated immediately after Christmas, it is neither related to nor intended to supplant the Christian holiday.
Is Kwanzaa celebrated by black people?
Kwanzaa was created for and is celebrated by Black Americans. Although it waned in popularity following its peak during the 1980s and 1990s, the holiday is still annually celebrated by millions of Americans. It is also celebrated by Black people in Canada and the Caribbean.
Where did the name Kwanzaa come from?
According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits". First fruits festivals exist in Southern Africa, celebrated in December/January with the southern solstice, and Karenga was partly inspired by an account he read of the Zulu festival Umkhosi Wokweshwama.
When was Kwanzaa first celebrated?
Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.
What was Karenga's main premise?
For Karenga, a major figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of such holidays also underscored the essential premise that "you must have a cultural revolution before the violent revolution. The cultural revolution gives identity, purpose, and direction.".
What is the greeting for Kwanzaa?
Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa. The holiday greeting is "Joyous Kwanzaa".
Why did Kwanzaa avoid the mixing of the holiday?
At first, observers of Kwanzaa avoided the mixing of the holiday or its symbols, values, and practice with other holidays, as doing so would violate the principle of kujichagulia (self-determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday, which is partially intended as a reclamation of important African values.
What are the seven principles of Kwanzaa?
They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles comprise Kawaida, a Swahili word meaning "common".
Why did Karenga change his position?
As Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so practicing Christians would not be alienated, stating in the 1997 book Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture that "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday.".
Where did Kwanzaa originate?
Although Kwanzaa is based on ancient and modern celebrations in Egypt and Southeastern Africa, the Kwanzaa holiday as we know it today was started in the United States. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach after the Watts Riots in Los Angeles.
How many nights does Kwanzaa take place?
The holiday takes place over seven nights. Similar to Hanukkah, candles are lit every night of Kwanzaa. Each night represents a different principle, outlined below.
What are the colors of Kwanzaa?
The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. Black represents the color of the people of Africa. Red stands for the struggles of the African peoples and the blood they’ve shed. Green symbolizes the fertile land of Africa and hope.
Why did Karenga put his fingers in a vise?
He pressed a hot soldering iron against their faces and put their fingers in a vise in an effort to get them to offer up some nonexistent "crystals" of poison. It seems that the paranoid Karenga thought he was being poisoned. Nice guy, this Kwanzaa founder.
Is Kwanzaa a joke?
So, Kwanzaa is a made-up joke of a holiday. But to hear the liberals and the MSM talk about it, you would think that it has a deep-rooted meaning. Its seven principles (Nguzo Saba) are themselves quite profound and worthy of attainment, but they are lost in all the fakery of Kwanzaa. One must then ask if the seven principles are themselves fake.
What is the focus of Kwanzaa?
The general focus, as Patheos notes, is on "community, family, and culture.". Considering its root in the "first fruits" phase, Kwanzaa is set around the harvest festivals that were common in ancient Africa. As Patheos notes, the festivities focus upon "Seven Principles. These include: "unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, ...
How many people observe Kwanzaa?
If Karenga's own assessment is true -- that 28 million people observe Kwanzaa -- then that means that the vast majority of people taking part reside outside of the U.S., with only a small proportion of African Americans observing the cultural holiday.
What is Kwanzaa holiday?
Photo Credit: AP. Thus, Kwanzaa (which is a word that comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya Kwanza ," which means "first fruits") is a holiday that is predicated upon ethnicity, ...
How long does Kwanzaa last?
Like the ancient celebrations it is modeled after, the modern-day holiday, lasts for seven days (observing one principle each day). While reflective of past traditions, Kwanzaa is a modern-day phenomenon.
What was Karenga convicted of?
As has been noted in the comments, Karenga was convicted of felony assault charges in 1971 after he was accused of torturing two women.
Who reached out to Karenga's office?
TheBlaze reached out to Karenga's office and e-mailed questions surrounding the founder's faith and his response to critics who have a negative view of the holiday's founding. Despite being told by a secretary that answers would be sent back, we have not yet received responses.
What is the origin of the word Kwanzaa?
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase matunda ya kwanza , which means “first fruits” in Swahili.
What are the principles of African culture?
These values include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, economic cooperation, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Who was the Count of Csejthe Castle?
On December 26, 1609 or 1610 (sources are not conclusive), Count Gyorgy Thurzo makes an investigative visit to Csejthe Castle in Hungary on orders from King Matthias and discovers Countess Elizabeth Bathory directing a torture session of young girls. Bathory was already infamous ...read more
When did Kwanzaa start?
After its 1966 inception, Kwanzaa and its practices had a slow increase in the United States. The Internet was the vehicle by which the holiday gained national and i nternational notoriety. The twenty-first century revealed that the seeds of Kwanzaa had been sown across North America and had germinated in Africa and Europe.
Where did the name Kwanzaa come from?
According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza (first fruits of the harvest, or first fruits). Festival celebrations of first fruits occur in the Southern parts of Africa alongside celebrations of the southern solstice in December and January. The spirituality and significance of the number seven motivated Karenga to add an extra "a" to the holiday's name. The symbols and principles of Kwanzaa all have names derived from the East African Swahili language.
How to light a candle in the Kinara?
Placement of the candles in the Kinara occurs in a specific order. The three red candles go on the left side. The three green candles go on the right. The single black candle goes in the center. Candle lighting takes place each day of Kwanzaa, beginning with the black candle in the center. Lighting a new candle each day symbolizes the Kwanzaa Nguzo Saba (principle of the day). After the black candle, the lighting of the farthest red candle initiates an alternating color sequence. First, as mentioned, the black candle is lit. After that, the farthest left red candle is lit. Then, the most distant right green candle is lit. Then the next red is lit, followed by the next green, the last red, and the final green.
Why is Kwanzaa celebrated?
Karenga wanted Kwanzaa, which was seasoned with separatism, to be an annual alternative to Christmas. Karenga adopted the notion that blacks should reject Christianity because it was a "white" religion. To avoid the estrangement of Christians, Karenga later changed his position. In 1997, he was quoted as stating, "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday." Kwanzaa became a means for African-Americans to achieve cultural identity, direction, and purpose. Many African-Americans started to celebrate Kwanzaa in addition to the observance of Christmas. The holiday is held from December 26th to January 1st and has expanded beyond the borders of the United States. It ends with gift-giving at Karamu Ya Iman (Feast of Faith).
What does the Mazao symbolise?
Mazao (mah-ZAH-oh) symbolizes the crops. Representing African Harvest celebrations and the rewards of productive and collective labor, the Mazao consists of fruits and vegetables, preferably of African origin, placed in a bowl.
What is the symbol of Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa's most notable symbol is the Kinara (Kee-Nah-rah). The Kinara is a candle holder that symbolizes the ancestral roots of the African continent. Placed in the Kinara are seven candles, three red, three green, and one black. The seven candles (Mishumaa Saba) represent one of the Seven Principles (Niguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. Inspired by the Pan-African flag (Bendera) adopted by Marcus Garvey on August 13, 1920, each candle color has an inherent meaning. Red represents the unifying blood that people of black African ancestry shed for liberation. Black signifies black people who exist as a spiritual nation. Green denotes the abundant natural wealth of Africa.
What does Imani mean in Kwanzaa?
By faith, Kwanzaa devotees internalize with all of their beings the righteousness and victory of the struggle of their people, parents, teachers, and leaders.
Overview
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually on the sixth day. It was created by activist Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.
History and etymology
American Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots as a specifically African-American holiday. Karenga said his goal was 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." For Karenga, a major figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of such holidays also …
Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)
Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba – the seven principles of African Heritage). They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles are all Swahili words, and together comprise the Kawaida or "common" philosophy, a synthesis of nationalist, pan-Africanist, and socialist values.
Symbols
Kwanzaa celebratory symbols include a mat (Mkeka) on which other symbols are placed:
• a Kinara (candle holder for seven candlesticks )
• Mishumaa Saba (seven candles)
• mazao (crops)
Observances
Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art, colorful African cloth such as kente, especially the wearing of kaftans by women, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. Libations are shared, generally with a common chalice, Kikombe cha Umoja, pa…
Adherence
The popularity of celebration of Kwanzaa has declined with the waning of the popularity of the black separatist movement. Kwanzaa observation has declined in both community and commercial contexts. University of Minnesota Professor Keith Mayes did not report exact figures, noting that it is also difficult to determine these for the three other main African-American holidays. Mayes ad…
Recognition
The first Kwanzaa stamp, designed by Synthia Saint James, was issued by the United States Post Office in 1997, and in the same year Bill Clinton gave the first presidential declaration marking the holiday. Subsequent presidents George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump also issued greetings to celebrate Kwanzaa.
Maya Angelou narrated a 2008 documentary film about Kwanzaa, The Black Candle, written and di…
See also
• Dashiki – a shirt or suit worn during Kwanzaa and other occasions
• American holidays