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What do the 7 days of Kwanzaa mean?
On each night, a candle is lit to observe the nguzo saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The principles of Kwanzaa are: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
What do u do on Kwanzaa?
It's a time that's been celebrated throughout the continent for generations. During the week, families gather to give gifts, share feasts, and light candles in honor of their ancestors and their hopes for the future. Though Kwanzaa became a mainstream holiday in the 1980s, its traditions have faded in recent years.
How do you celebrate the 7 days of Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of life observed for seven days from December 26 to January 1 by Black people to honor their heritage. The week-long celebration may include songs, dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large feast on December 31, called a Karamu.
Can I celebrate Kwanzaa If I'm not Black?
Kwanzaa doesn't discriminate Clearly it's a holiday created for African-Americans. But just like people other than Mexicans celebrate Cinco de Mayo, other races and ethnic groups are welcome to participate in the Kwanzaa rituals.
What food is eaten on Kwanzaa?
Main dishes are always the highlight of dinner. For your Kwanzaa meal, try African creole, Cajun catfish, jerk chicken, or Groundnut stew, a tasty dish from West Africa. For your side we've got many traditional Kwanzaa recipes, including Jollof rice, collard greens, Kwanzaa slaw, grits, beans and rice, and okra.
What gifts do you give for Kwanzaa?
Karenga states that Kwanzaa gifts should include two items: a book and a heritage symbol, and that those gifts should never serve as a substitution for love, attention, and involvement with a child. Zawadi can also be given to family members. The sixth principle is Kuumba, meaning creativity.
What Kwanzaa means for Black Americans?
Each day of Kwanzaa is devoted to celebrating the seven basic values of African culture or the “Nguzo Saba” which in Swahili means the seven principles. Translated these are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics (building Black businesses), purpose, creativity and faith.
What religion has Kwanzaa?
“Thus, Africans of all faiths can and do celebrate Kwanzaa, i.e. Muslims, Christians, Black Hebrews, Jews, Buddhists, Baha'i and Hindus, as well as those who follow the ancient traditions of Maat, Yoruba, Ashanti, Dogon, etc.” According to Karenga, non-Black people can also enjoy Kwanzaa, just as non-Mexicans ...
Do you give gifts each day for Kwanzaa?
The holiday is also filled with storytelling, music, food, and, of course, gifts! The gifts are generally given among family members on the last day of Kwanzaa, January 1, and are typically creative, artistic, and often handmade items that focus on African heritage and promote the betterment of the Black community.
Is there a dress code for Kwanzaa?
There is no dress code for Kwanzaa, but some who observe the holiday choose to wear traditional African garb, either for the Kwanzaa feast or all throughout the week. Women of all ages typically wear kaftans and head wraps, while men usually wear a dashiki over pants and a kufi cap.
Is Kwanzaa African or American?
African AmericanAlthough Kwanzaa is primarily an African American holiday, it has also come to be celebrated outside the United States, particularly in Caribbean and other countries where there are large numbers of descendants of Africans.
Can you eat during Kwanzaa?
Starches range as well and can include rice or couscous, candied yams, buttermilk biscuits and spoonbread, plantains, fritters, hoppin' John and injera. The most-important thing is that the meal is shared, as Kwanzaa is at its heart a holiday about community.
Do you light a candle each day for Kwanzaa?
On each day of Kwanzaa, light a candle for that day's principle on your candleholder (Kinara).
What are 3 traditions of Kwanzaa?
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)
What happens each night of Kwanzaa?
The candle-lighting ceremony each evening provides the opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa. The first night, the black candle in the center is lit (and the principle of umoja/unity is discussed). One candle is lit each evening and the appropriate principle is discussed.
What order are the Kwanzaa candles lit?
The candles are lit according to the numbering of the Principles: Umoja (1); Kujichagulia (2); Ujima (3); Ujamaa (4); Nia (5); Kuumba (6); and Imani (7). They are lit beginning with the black candle, (Umoja). Then they are lit in alternate left and right, lighting from inward to outward.
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...
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 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.
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 the celebration of December 31?
On December 31, families join in a community feast called the karamu. Some participants wear traditional African clothing during the celebration.
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.
What is an encyclopedia editor?
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. ...
What is the purpose of the Kikombe Cha Umoja?
Kikombe Cha Umoja: The Unity Cup. The kikombe cha umoja is a special cup that is used to perform the libation (tambiko) ritual during the Karamu feast on the sixth day of Kwanzaa.
What is the meaning of the stalk of corn in Mkeka?
Vibunzi: Ear of Corn. The stalk of corn represents fertility and symbolizes that through the reproduction of children, the future hopes of the family are brought to life.
What is the meaning of the back candle?
Mishumaa saba are the seven candles: three red, three green, and one black. The back candle symbolizes Umoja (unity), the basis of success, and is lit on December 26.
What are the three candles on the Umoja candle?
The three green candles, representing Nia, Ujima, and Imani, are placed to the right of the Umoja candle, while the three red candles, representing Kujichagulia, Ujamaa, and Kuumba, are placed to the left of it. During Kwanzaa, on candle, representing one principle, is lit each day.
What is the Mkeka made of?
The mkeka, made from straw or cloth, comes directly from Africa and expresses history, culture, and tradition. It symbolizes the historical and traditional foundation for us to stand on and build our lives because today stands on our yesterdays, just as the other symbols stand on the mkeka.
Why do we have two ears on the Mkeka?
If there are no children in the home, two ears are still set on the mkeka because each person is responsible for the children of the community.
What is the significance of the candle light ceremony on Kwanzaa?
Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle. The candle-lighting ceremony each evening provides the opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa. The first night, the black candle in the center is lit (and the principle of umoja/unity is discussed).
What Is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday held annually from December 26 to January 1. Fundamentally, it celebrates family, culture, community, and the harvest. The word “Kwanzaa” itself comes from the Kiswahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits [of the harvest].”
What are the seven principles of Kwanzaa?
These principles are unity ( umoja ), self-determination ( kujichagulia ), collective work and responsibility ( ujima ), cooperative economics ( ujamaa ), purpose ( nia ), creativity ( kuumba ), ...
What do people do on Kwanzaa?
Celebrating Kwanzaa. During Kwanzaa, people traditionally decorate their homes with straw mats, ears of corn, and a candleholder called a kinara, which is adorned with red, green, and black candles . Red is said to represent ancestry and unity; black, the people; and green, the fertile land (Africa). A candle is lit for each day of Kwanzaa and ...
What does the phrase "Habari Gani" mean?
The Kiswahili phrase “Habari gani”—meaning “what is the news?” —is used as a greeting among family and friends. (The response to this phrase should be whichever of the seven principles is associated with the current day.)
When was the first kwanzaa stamp issued?
Fun Fact: On October 22, 1997, the first Kwanzaa U.S. postage stamp was issued, featuring art by Synthia Saint James. You may be surprised to learn that the modern holiday of Kwanzaa is a relatively new creation, though it has its roots in traditions that go back generations.
When does Kwanzaa start?
Kwanzaa is an annual holiday that begins on December 26 and lasts through January 1.
Is Kwanzaa a religious holiday?
Despite the fact that it is often thought of as a substitute for Christmas or Hanukkah, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, and families who celebrate Kwanzaa often celebrate it in addition to Christmas, Hanukkah, or another religious holiday.
How many days until Kwanzaa 2021?
Days to Kwanzaa 2021. Sunday, December 26th is day number 360 of the 2021 calendar year with 4 months, 29 days until Kwanzaa 2021. Kwanzaa.
When is Kwanzaa 2021?
Kwanzaa 2021. Kwanzaa for the year 2021 is celebrated/ observed on Sunday, December 26th. Kwanzaa celebrates African culture and traditions. It is observed on December 26 through January 1.
What are the seven candles on the Mkeka?
Kinara — a seven-pronged candle-holder. Mishumaa Saba — the seven candles which represent the seven core principles of Kwanzaa.
What is the kwanzaa feast?
Have the Kwanzaa Karamu (feast) on the sixth day (New Year's Eve). The Kwanzaa feast is a very special event that brings everyone closer to their African roots. It is traditionally held on December 31st and is a communal and cooperative effort. Decorate the place where the feast will be held in a red, green, and black scheme. A large Kwanzaa setting should dominate the room where the feast will be held. A large Mkeka should be placed in the center of the floor where the food is placed creatively and made accessible to all to serve themselves. Before and during the feast, an informative and entertaining program should be presented.
How many days does it take to celebrate Kwanzaa?
Celebrate Kwanzaa in a variety of different ways. Pick and choose some or all of the following activities throughout the seven days of Kwanzaa, saving the feast for the sixth day. Kwanzaa ceremony may include:
What is the Kwanzaa greeting?
Practice the Kwanzaa greetings. Starting on December 26, greet everyone by saying "Habari Gani" which is a standard Swahili greeting meaning "what is the news?" If someone greets you, respond with the principle (Nguzo Saba) for that day:
What is a mkeka?
Community Answer. A traditional straw or woven textile mat, called a mkeka, is one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa. Those who celebrate Kwanzaa view the mkeka as the base for the other six symbols of Kwanzaa, representing the idea that nothing can be built without having a foundation upon which to rest. Thanks!
How to decorate your home for Kwanzaa?
Decorate your home or the main room with the symbols of Kwanzaa. Put a green tablecloth over a centrally located table, and on top of that, place the Mkeka which is a straw or woven mat that symbolizes the historical foundation of African ancestry . Place the following on the Mkeka :
When was Kwanzaa invented?
Kwanzaa is a holiday invented in 1966 by Maulana Karenga through which African Americans can connect with their heritage and culture. It's celebrated from December 26 through January 1, with each of the seven days focusing on one of seven core values, or Nguzo Saba. A candle is lit on each day, and on the last day, gifts are exchanged.
Why do we light a candle on Kwanzaa?
All the seven days of Kwanzaa bring new meaning and principles of the Nguzo Saba. A new candle is lighted each day to represent one of these doctrines of Kwanzaa.
What is the 6th day of the year?
The sixth day falls also on the New Years day and is a very special and momentous day for the African Americans. This is the day of Karamu or Kwanzaa feast. The spirit of celebration increases a lot when many of the family members invite their loved ones and friends.
What is the last candle lit on Kwanzaa?
On the seventh and last day of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the utmost right green, the next red candle, the 2nd green candle at the right hand side of the black candle, the final red, then the last and final green candle.
What does the 5th principle mean?
This represents the 5th principle i.e. Kwanzaa - Nia (NEE-ah) or Purpose.
What day is the black candle lit?
The Fourth Day of Kwanzaa, December 29 (Ujamaa means Cooperative Economics) On the fourth day of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit at first, then the utmost left red one, then the farthest right green one and at last the next red candle, placed at the left hand side of the black one, is lit.
What does the second day of Kwanzaa mean?
The Second Day of Kwanzaa, December 27 (Kujichagulia means Self-Determination) To represent the second doctrine or principle the left most red candle is lit after the black one. This principle represents Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah) or Self- Determination. The process goes on in the same way.
How to celebrate Kwanzaa?
To enhance the celebration mood, decorate the home with traditional Kwanzaa colors. The African American music at the background and traditional attires should match the Kwanzaa theme. Special holiday dishes are included in the celebration. Prepare fabulous and spicy dishes for the guests. Plays are performed, family members read out passage and poems which are related to the seven principles of Kwanzaa. A story teller enjoys the centre stage in the feast. The focus of the day should be on creativity. Try to show innovation and creativity in everything.
