The History of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by the political rights activist Maulana Karenga. Karenga wanted to provide African-Americans with a holiday tied to their cultures, rather than see minority cultures dominated by the dominant cultures in society. Karenga was a major figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, and hoped to ignite a passion for African-American culture in the United States.
According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.” This is in reference to the First Fruits Festivals celebrated in many Southern African cultures, which coincided with the winter solstice. In fact, Kwanzaa’s history and traditions are drawn primarily from West and Southeast African culture. A major influence in particular was the Umkhosi Wokweshwama, a Zulu harvest festival.
Karenga wanted there to be seven key principles of Kwanzaa (explained below). In order to maintain more symbolism in the holiday, he added an extra “A” to the name “Kwanzaa” so there would be seven letters. Similarly, the holiday is celebrated over seven days, and include a ceremonial seven candles.
Karenga wanted there to be seven key principles of Kwanzaa (explained below). In order to maintain more symbolism in the holiday, he added an extra “A” to the name “Kwanzaa” so there would be seven letters. Similarly, the holiday is celebrated over seven days, and include a ceremonial seven candles.
Nguzo Saba: the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa, like many other holidays, tries to reinforce cultural and moral principles in its celebration. Keranga selected seven specific principles which he felt were not only important to society, but also to retaining and furthering African-American cultures and causes. These are called the Seven Principles, or Nguzo Saba, and each of them are referred to by their Swahili translation.
Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa are dedicated to one of these principles. According to Karenga’s website dedicated to Kwanzaa, the principles are:
- Umoja (unity) - To strive for and to maintain unity in the family and the community.
- Kujichagulia (self-determination) - To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
- Ujima (collective work and responsibility) - To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
- Ujamaa (cooperative economics) - To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses, and to profit from them together.
- Nia (purpose) - To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
- Kuumba (creativity) - To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
- Imani (faith) - To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Kwanzaa Symbols
There are many different symbols in Kwanzaa celebrations, all of which are either related to the Seven Principles, or to African cultures. In most celebrations there is a display which will include a mat called a Mkeka on which the other symbols are placed.
The most commonly included symbol is the Kinara. Similar to the Menorah of Hanukkah, this is a candle holder which holds seven candles. Unlike the Menorah, where the candles each represent a night in Jewish history, the candles of the Kinara each represent one of the Seven Principles. Kinaras may vary in design, but almost always have the candles placed in a straight line from left to right.
The candles themselves are called Mishumaa Saba. They are usually arranged with three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and a single black candle in the middle. The black candle represents the people, while the red and green candles represent their struggles, and the green candles represent the future and hope that comes from their struggles.
Other symbols include crops (usually fresh fruits), corn (which represent the children celebrating), gifts, and a Kikombe cha Umoja, or unity cup, from which a drink is shared among celebrants.
Kwanzaa Celebrations
Families celebrating Kwanzaa often decorate their homes with colorful art. The kente cloth is also used in clothing and decorations. Women are often encouraged to wear kaftans, a colorful garment traditionally worn in West Africa. Fresh fruits are also a common decoration and food.
A typical Kwanzaa celebration may include musical selections and celebrations, drumming, a discussion of the principle to which that day is devoted, a candle lighting ritual, sharing drinks from the Kikombe cha Umoja, a reading of the African Pledge, and more.
On the last day of Kwanzaa is the Karamu Ya Imani, or “feast of faith.” This meal may include any of the above traditions, as well as foods. While there are no strict traditions to what foods are served, there are several dishes which tend to be eaten more frequently. These foods can be traditionally African foods, or uniquely American. For example, one-pot stew, Ghanaian groundnut stew, rice, corn, buttermilk biscuits, and candied yams.
Recording Kwanzaa Memories with Lalo
Kwanzaa may be a young holiday, but its celebrations are rooted deep in family stories and history. Using Lalo’s time capsules, you can record and share your Kwanzaa memories, recipes, decorations, and stories with family and friends for generations to come.
