When did the Kwanzaa start?
About Kwanzaa Festival
Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. It was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in the 1960s and was established to help unify and celebrate African culture and values. Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of seven core principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. The traditions practiced during Kwanzaa include the lighting of a Kinara or seven-candled candle holder to represent each principle, exchanging of African-inspired gifts, feasting with friends and family, and other symbolic practices. On the seventh day of Kwanzaa, a joyous feast is held, and a special ceremony is conducted to honor ancestors. Kwanzaa is a celebration and affirmation of African-American pride, but it is also open and inclusive to people of all communities, allowing anyone to express themselves and their own values.
What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is a culturally influential holiday that celebrates African-American unity and heritage. It is an event that brings African-Americans of all backgrounds together to take stock of their lives, their families, and their histories, with an eye toward rewarding and building a better tomorrow. Founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa extends from December 26 to January 1 each year.
History
Kwanzaa was created as a response to the oppressive racial climate of the 1960s. Dr. Karenga, a professor in the Black Studies Department at California State University, had a vision for the holiday: to emphasize and celebrate African-American family, culture, and history. While not seeking to replace or challenge existing American holidays, Kwanzaa creates a unique space for African-Americans to come together in a meaningful and symbiotic way. In doing so, it instills a feeling of solidarity and pride in the African-American community.
Dr. Karenga was inspired by other African-style celebrations such as those presented in ngoma – an ancient African tradition of spirituals, music, and communal performance – and by the ancient African harvest celebrations, both of which payed homage to the abundance of the season. Dr. Karenga based the principles of Kwanzaa on ancient African ideals of “collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.”
Principles of Kwanzaa
The name of the holiday, Kwanzaa, is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which is Swahili for “first fruits of the harvest,” signifying that the occasion is meant to celebrate the blessings of harvesting season and praising God for the bountiful crops. During Kwanzaa, African-Americans celebrate seven core principles, often referred to as the Nguzo Saba, which are values believed to be at the core of African-American culture. The essential principles of Kwanzaa are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
Celebration
Kwanzaa is honored differently in different countries and cultures, as each bring their own traditions and celebrations to the occasion.
In the United States, Kwanzaa is marked by a variety of celebratory activities and rituals, usually held in the home. A common ritual is for the eldest family member to light seven candles each night in the Kinara, a seven-branched candleholder that symbolizes Africa’s unity of seven tribes. On each night of Kwanzaa, one principle of the Nguzo Saba is celebrated, watched over, and discussed at length. Candles are lit, and African heritage is studied, discussed, and explored.
In the Caribbean, Kwanzaa is celebrated with traditional harvest music, storytelling, and dance. There is also a special feast, with traditional dishes such as jerk chicken and callaloo. In Jamaica, the African-themed holiday of Emancipation Day falls at the same time as Kwanzaa, allowing for a double celebration.
In the African continent, Kwanzaa is celebrated differently, depending on the culture. In Nigeria, for example, the Kwanzaa tradition of gift-giving is taken to a higher level, with families exchanging lavish gifts. Music, dancing, and feasting are also highly common.
Conclusion
Kwanzaa allows African-Americans in various countries to celebrate and be proud of their heritage and culture. The holiday emphasizes the importance of self-determination, unity, and purpose in African-American life, offering a time to reflect on the community’s shared history and plan for prosperity in the future. As Dr. Karenga explains, Kwanzaa is a time to remember, celebrate, and embrace the past, while looking forward to a better future.
How to Say "Kwanzaa" In Different Languages?
- Arabic
- كوانزا (ar-SA)
- Catalan
- Kwanzaa (ca-ES)
- Dutch
- Kwanzaa (nl-NL)
- English
- Kwanzaa (en-GB)
- French
- Kwanzaa (fr-FR)
- German
- Kwanzaa (de-DE)
- Greek
- Κουάνζα (el-GR)
- Hindi
- कवान्जा (hi-IN)
- Italian
- Kwanzaa (it-IT)
- Japanese
- クワンザ (ja-JP)
- Korean
- Kwanzaa (ko-KR)
- Portuguese
- Kwanzaa (pt-PT)
- Russian
- Куанза (ru-RU)
- Slovak
- Kwanzaa (sk-SK)
- Slovenian
- Kwanzaa (sl-SL)
- Spanish
- Kwanzaa (es-MX)
- Swedish
- Kwanzaa (sv-SE)
- Turkish
- Kwanzaa (tr-TR)
- Ukrainian
- Кванза (uk-UA)
Kwanzaa Also Called
The African-American festival of Kwanzaa.Countries where "Kwanzaa" is celebrated:
FUN FACT:
In year 1966, Kwanzaa is celebrated on December 26 for the first time.FESTIVAL CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, please click here to contact us!
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