A celebration of African culture and heritage
Kwanzaa, a weeklong cultural celebration honoring African American culture and African heritage, begins on December 26 and ends January 1. The holiday occurs over the same seven days each year. The holiday is based on traditions from cultures across the continent of Africa. Clayborn Benson takes part in the introduces children to the audience during a Kwanzaa celebration Monday, December 26, 2022 at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society in Milwaukee.
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Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies at California State University in Long Beach.
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The celebration of Kwanzaa is about embracing seven ethical principles including unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
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The kinara holds seven candles, the Mishumaa Saba; three red candles on the left, and three green on the right with a black candle in the center. The center black candle symbolizes the people, the three green candles symbolize land, and the three red candles symbolize the blood or struggles of the people. Each night during Kwanzaa, a candle is lit. The Black candle is lit first and then it alternates between the red and green candles starting with the ones on the outside and moving inwards.
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6-year-old Kristian Freeman lights one of the Kwanzaa candles at the Black Employees Association of Stockton Unified School District’s Kwanzaa celebration at The Rock Senior and Youth Center in downtown Stockton, Calif. in 2022.
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The name Kwanzaa comes from a phrase matunda ya kwanza, which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Though it was started in the United States, the holiday has links to harvest festivals in Africa and communities around the world.
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The unity cup (‘Kikombe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations each day of Kwanzaa to honor those who have passed away.
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Some communities celebrate by reading poetry or dancing, among other cultural festivities. The Washington Park Line Dancers perform during the Kwanzaa Umoja Village Festival celebration at the Central Library downtown Indianapolis on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2018.
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The Nefertari African Drum Company performs Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 at the Wisconsin Black Historical Society during Kwanzaa celebrations.
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Another aspect of Kwanzaa is gift-giving. Gifts are traditionally given on the seventh day of Kwanzaa and focus on handmade items intended for children.
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Hacienda Fielder kisses her son, David Jr., during a Kwanzaa celebration Friday, Jan. 1, 2016 at Smith Recreation Center in Fayetteville, N.C.
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