Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American inhabitants, their culture and their history. It is a moment of celebration, community congregation, and reflection, a time of conclusions and beginnings. Kwanzaa commences on December 26th and carries on until New Years Day, January 1st.
Kwanzaa is a week-long African American holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. 2008 will mark the 43rd celebration of Kwanzaa. The holiday was developed in 1966 by activist Dr. Maulana Karenga to celebrate African American culture. As many as 18 million African Americans will celebrate Kwanzaa this year.
Kwanzaa celebrants light a candle during each day of the holiday. The first candle is black, symbolizing the African American people. The next three are red, representing the struggles of the black people. Next are three green candles, which symbolize hope for the future. The candles are lit from left to right.
Each day of Kwanzaa is represented by a different life principle. In order, these principles are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits of the harvest" During the holiday of Kwanzaa, many people exchange greetings in Swahili.
On the last full day of Kwanzaa celebrants enjoy a large feast. This feast, called karamu, is the high point of the holiday.
The official colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. These colors, represented in the candles lit each night, also are included in home decorations. Other decorations feature traditional African items, such as baskets, cloths, and harvest symbols.
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