Kwanzaa celebrations begin on December 26th. Over seven days, members of the black community uplift traditions of community and independence centered in an African identity. The holiday, which follows Christmas, was created as a safe space for African American citizens. Kwanzaa allowed Black Americans and the Pan African community an opportunity to celebrate a spirituality and consciousness that reckoned with the internal realities of the Black experience in the United States of America.
Created by Malauna Karenga, Kwanzaa is rooted in the traditions of the first fruits festivals found in many African cultures. These traditional celebrations emphasized the cultivation of family and stewardship toward a larger community.
Originally, Karenga emphasized the importance of these principles to the Black and African communities, upholding a separatist stance to protect the purpose and longevity of the ideology. As a result, Kwanzaa became a contested subject within both Black and mainstream America. Debates over the original tenants of Kwanza led Karenga to reconsider his initial position as a Black separatist. His revisions brought a more inclusive mindset to holiday, welcoming participants from other ethnic and racial backgrounds. It remains to this day a challenge to embrace Black and African heritage as an indisputable contributor to American culture and to restore the spirit of African tradition and communal prosperity.
Participants of Kwanzaa should expect a week-long celebration period filled with moments of reflection, hearty meals, and the visual representations of Black and African culture, history, and faith.
The Seven Principles
One – Umoja (Unity of Family)
All life is sacred and connected through the principle of community. All people, of all creeds, should promote a sense of togetherness and a respect for humanity.
Two – Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Freedom liberates the individual to work towards justice and equality. Nurturing personal freedom readies individuals to pursue their own journeys and to resist attempts to disrupt personal autonomy.
Three – Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Communities should work to improve the world in its entirety, making justice and respect the foundation of all projects and work. This includes creating spaces and environments which seek to honor humanity and peace.
Four – Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
All who work and produce goods deserve to take part in the profits. Workers deserve a fair, liveable compensation which supports economic stability. All persons should support the growth and well-being of their fellow humans.
Five – Nia (Purpose)
All people should seek to do good in the world, supporting the principles of the freedom, justice, kinship, and community which tie our lives together. It is the purpose of human beings to create a world that reflects the good they want to see.
Six – Kuuma (Creativity)
Creativity includes the repair of broken things in the world. In both spiritual and practical matters, it is imperative to perform acts of renewal, protection, guardianship, and restoration. Based in the African teaching of serudj ta this principle is considered a moral obligation to further the positive potential of the world and to increase the beauty that is already here.
Seven – Imani (Faith)
A belief in the basic goodness of the world is essential. Historical oppression serves as motivation to seek more just futures in which all people protect the tenants of equality, stability, and the basic goodness of spirit.
Symbols of the Holiday
Flag
The flag of Kwanzaa is black, red, and green. Black represents the people. Red represents the future. Green represents a future born from the fruits of struggle.
Kinara (Candle Holder)
The candle holder represents the traditional beliefs and aspects of Africa.
Muhindi (Corn)
This represents the future and the wellbeing of the next generation.
Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup)
This represents the principle of unity throughout the year and Kwanzaa celebrations.
Mishumaa Saba (The Story of Kawanzaa)
The seven candles represent the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa.
Zawadi (Gift Giving)
This represents the parent child bond, the attentiveness of the parent and the obedience of the child.
Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)
These are the written tenants of Kwanzaa, generally presented in poster form.
References
Kwanzaa. (n.d.) Official Kwanzaa Website. https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.html
Karenga, M. (2023). Annual Kwanza Founder’s Message. Official Kwanzaa Website. https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/documents/Kwanzaa%20Freedom%20Justice%20and%20Peace%20–%20Dr%20Maulana%20Karenga%20-%20Annual%20Founders%20Kwanzaa%20Message%2012-21-23.pdf
Frontline. (1997). Interview Maulana Karenga. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/race/interviews/karenga.html
Marty, M. E. (2003). Kwanzaa – Martin E Marty. https://divinity.uchicago.edu/sightings/articles/kwanzaa-martin-e-marty
Interesting write up on that holiday. I’m also learning Swahili, so I recognize a lot of the words. The word Kwanzaa is actually a misspelling of the Swahili word “Kwanza” and the extra A is supposed to balance out to 7 to fit the principles and the number of candles. The name “Kwanza” literally means “first” and the etymology comes from the term “first fruits” which would be “Matunda ya Kwanza”. Oddly enough, the concept of first fruit festivals are more of a thing in Southern African countries (South Africa obviously, Lesotho, Eswatini, etc.) where Swahili isn’t really spoken.
Thank you for your comment. It’s interesting to trace the ways bits culture and language are reinterpreted to create new traditions.