Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa.
This holiday is celebrated from December 26 to January 1.
The seven principles which form Kwanzaa’s core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent.
These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times.
There Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba, help Africans to continue building and maintaining unified and empowered communities.
Read more about Kwanzaa here
Extracted and edited from the Smithsonian Museum.
