To our friends who celebrate Kwanzaa

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What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a special holiday that was thought up in 1966 by Dr. Maulana
Karenga. Dr. Karenga wanted Black Americans to have their own holiday so
they could celebrate their own unique history.

The words of Kwanzaa come from Swahili, a language that is from Africa.
Swahili is special because no country can claim it as its own. Swahili is
spoken by many different people all over Africa. Dr. Karenga chose it
because it helps Black Americans remember that all of Africa is their
ancestral land, not just one area or one country.

The name "Kwanzaa" means "the first fruits of the harvest."

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How Does it Work?

Kwanzaa is a seven day celebration. It begins on December 26, the day after
Christmas, and lasts until January 1, the first day of the new year.

The celebration is focused around seven very important Principles, called
nguzo saba. Though these principles are important all year long, they are
thought about a great deal during this holiday.

Each night, people gather together to light the candles of the kinara and to
share their thoughts on the special Principle of that day.

The gatherings take place seven times until all seven candles have been lit
and all seven Principles have been talked about.

People might get together in their homes, or they may gather in a church or
the home of another family they know.

On the sixth day, which falls on December 31, there is a great feast called
the karamu. This is a joyous celebration of music, happiness, folktales,
song, and dance.

During the feast everyone present will sip from the kikombe cha umoja, the
cup of unity. The karamu is also the time when the zawadi, the gifts, are
exchanged.
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The Karamu
A typical karamu feast will go something like this:

Welcoming
Elders and distinguished guests are welcomed.

Remembering
Some form of cultural expression, such as a song, dance, or story-telling is
performed.

Short talk
Someone will say a few words of importance, perhaps an honored guest.

Rejoicing
This is when an offering is poured into the unity cup and all drink from it.

Drums are sometimes played as the names of ancestors and Black heroes are
called.

This is also when the feast begins and more songs and dances are performed.

Farewell statement
This is when the karamu is finished and friends and loved ones bid each
other farewell.


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The Seven Principles
the Seven Principles, also known as nguzo saba (in-GOO-zoh SAH-bah) are the
main ideas that are most important to the celebration of Kwanzaa. Each
Principle is represented by one of the seven days of the holiday.

Day 1. Umoja (oo-MOW-jah) means unity.

Day 2. Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-GOO-lee-ah) means self-determination.

Day 3. Ujima (oo-JEE-mah) means working together.

Day 4. Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) means supporting one another.

Day 5. Nia (NEE-ah) means purpose.

Day 6. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) means creativity.

Day 7. Imani (ee-MAH-nee) means faith in ourselves and the world.

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The Symbols of Kwanzaa

 Mkeka (muh-KAY-kah) The mkeka is a straw mat. All of the other symbols of
Kwanzaa are put on top of it.

 Mishumaa (mee-SHOO-mah) The seven candles of Kwanzaa are called mishumaa.
They represent the Seven Principles.

 Kinara (kee-NAR-ah) The kinara is the candle holder. It represents the
stalk from which all life springs.

 Karamu (kah-RAH-moo) karamu is the name for the feast of Kwanzaa. It is a
time when the community gets together to give thanks for their
accomplishments during the past year. There is not only food, but music,
dance, and lots of laughter and conversation. The feast is held on the
evening of December 31.

 Kikombe Cha Umoja (kee-COMB-bay chah oo-MOW-jah) The kikombe cha umoja is a
cup of unity. Everyone at the feast will sip from it.

 Muhindi (moo-HEEN-dee) The muhindi are ears of corn. There is supposed to
be one ear of corn for each child. Children are one of the most important
things being celebrated at Kwanzaa.

 Zawadi (zah-WAH-dee) The zawadi are the gifts of Kwanzaa. Gifts are suppoed
to be creative and often are made by hand. When the gifts are bought from a
store, they are often educational (like a book) or inspirational (like
artwork).