To get in the Kwanzaa spirit, decorate your home with African art, cloths such as kente, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. Swahili is a language spoken throughout Africa and therefore unites all who celebrate Kwanzaa.
One of the most important Swahili words to know are the names of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja unity , Kujichagulia self-determination , Ujima collective work and responsibility , Ujamaa cooperative economics , Nia purpose , Kuumba creativity , and Imani faith. Many families celebrate Kwanzaa by playing music and singing cultural African or African-American songs. Pick up a drum, or any percussive instrument brought out for the celebration, and join in on the musical fun!
Kwanzaa lasts for seven days and since its inception in , the holiday has grown in impact within the African American community and is recognized as an official holiday — other countries, like Canada, Jamaica, and Brazil, have gained interest in Kwanzaa but don't celebrate it to the extent as America does. The colors of Kwanzaa are black for the people, red for the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, and green for the rich land of Africa.
Kwanzaa was birthed as a response to the Watts riots, which occurred as a reaction to longstanding racial injustice in America. The holiday was made by Dr. Maulana Karenga to bring African Americans together as a community in a celebration of identity.
Kwanzaa is considered a cultural holiday rather than a religious celebration, meaning that even if you participate in Kwanzaa festivities, you can still celebrate the winter holidays that fall under your religion. Many households will have both a kinara and a Christmas tree in their living room at the same time. Many people in the African American community, and other nations of the African diaspora in the Americas, find that Kwanzaa makes them feel closer to their roots.
Celebrating a holiday based on ancient African tradition allows participants to experience a grounding connection to Africa. We keep track of fun holidays and special moments on the cultural calendar — giving you exciting activities, deals, local events, brand promotions, and other exciting ways to celebrate.
Holiday survey data is powered by TOP Agency. Skip to content View the calendar. Today Friday. November Chicken Soup for the Soul Day. Lifestyle Mental Health. National Donor Sabbath. National French Dip Day. American Fast Food. National Happy Hour Day. Fast Food Italian Food. Ultimately, for Karenga, Kwanzaa is all about celebrating "family, community and culture," placing an emphasis on "sharing good in the world," and embracing "the wonder, good and awesome responsibility of being African in the world.
And while Kwanzaa begins on December 26, , those sentiments are worth honoring all year long. Want to make your holidays shine? Type keyword s to search. Today's Top Stories. All of the Best Chocolate Advent Calendars.
Jerry Holt Getty Images. When is Kwanzaa ? Inti St. Clair Getty Images. This candle holder represents the ancestors and the mishumaa saba are placed in them to represent the principles of Kwanzaa — which rise from the ancestors. The Mishumaa Saba Mishumaa saba features seven candles.
Three of them are red, three of them are green and one of them is black. The three red candles represent the principles of Ujamaa, Kuumba and Kujichagulia, and they are placed to the left of the green candles. The three green candles represent the principles of Ujima, Imani and Nia. The black candle symbolizes Umoja and is lit on December 26th. Kikombe Cha Umoja Kikombe cha umoja is a unity cup that is traditionally used to perform the ceremonious libation ritual, otherwise known as tambiko.
This ritual is performed on the 6th day of Kwanzaa. In some African societies, the libation is poured for the living dead whose souls stay connected with the earth until it is tilled. During the Feast of Karamu, this unity cup is passed to family members and guests—all of whom drink from it to promote unity with one another. The next thing that happens is the eldest person pours a libation for the four winds north, south, east and west.
This last portion of the libation is reserved for the ancestors. Vibunzi refers to one ear of corn. If more than one is present, then they are referred to as Mihindi. An ear is present for each child in the family. This is to show the importance of children to society and how they are the seed bearers of the culture into this future. Zawadi On the seventh day, gifts are exchanged with immediate family to reward accomplishments and commitments and is also exchanged with guests.
It is recommended that these gifts are handmade to promote self-determination and to avoid the commercialism of the Christmas season.
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