WHAT IS KWANZAA?
"A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots." - Marcus Garvey
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that is celebrated each year from December 26 to January 1. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to re-establish Afrocentric pride in African American children and families. The word "Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili word "Kwanza" which celebrates the harvest of first fruits. Dr. Karenga added the extra "a" to distinguish the African American holiday from the Swahili word. We transmit cultural beliefs and values through children; thus, children are the heart of Kwanzaa.
THE NGUZO SABA
THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES
"No matter how full the river, it still wants to grow." - Zaire Proverb
During Kwanzaa, African American children and families are taught and recommit to seven principles for how we should relate to each other and experience success as a community.
These principles are:
1. UMOJA (oo-MOE-jah): Unity
- to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
2. KUJICHAGULIA (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination
- to define ourselves, to speak for ourselves, and to create for ourselves, rather than relying on others.
3. UJIMA (oo-JEE-mah): Collective Work & Responsibility
- to build and maintain our community together and to make our sisters' and brothers' problems our problems and solve them together, as we did in the past.
4. UJAMAA (oo-JAH-mah): Cooperative Economics
- to build and maintain our own businesses and use our collective economic strength to fulfill the needs of our community.
5. NIA (nee-AH): Purpose
- to have pride in ourselves and our ancestry, to restore our community to its traditional greatness.
6. KUUMBA (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
- to use our individual talents to keep our home and community clean and more beautiful than how we inherited it.
7. IMANI (ee-MAH-nee): Faith
- to believe in our people, our parents, our teachers and our leaders by honoring and remembering the best of our history and our ability for a bright future.
CELEBRATING KWANZAA
"One of the greatest measures of a people is its culture, its artistic stature." - Paul Robeson
Each family should decide how they want to celebrate Kwanzaa. Here are a few common features.
KINARA (candle holder):
Set up a kinara with 1 black candle in the center, 3 red candles on the left and 3 green candles on the right. The kinara is often put on a dedicated table with a mkeka (mat) underneath it.
The candles are lit in a particular order. Light the black candle for Umoja on the first day. On the second day, light the black candle and then a red candle for Kujichagulia. On the third day, light the two candles you previously lit and then a green candle for Ujima. Alternate from left to right each day working from inside to out.
KIKOMBE CHA UMOJA (unity cup):
Each person takes a sip from the same cup. The group decides what beverage will be in the cup. Try to have it be a beverage that is special for your family.
DAILY CEREMONY:
Each day from December 26 - January 1, engage in the Kwanzaa ceremony. Give each person a day or days to lead the group discussion.
Create a festive yet respectful environment. This is the time for transmitting culture and values.
Light the candles according to the day. If possible, have the children light the candle and state the principle of the candle they are lighting. Only discuss the one principle of the day, but state the name of the principle as the candles are lit to reinforce them.
Discuss that day's principle as a family. Give the definition and use stories and quotes from history and from your family to learn about and reinforce each Nguzo Saba. Have a discussion as a family on what the principle means to each of you, how you have demonstrated it this past year, and how you will demonstrate it in the coming year.
To conclude, each person takes a sip from the kikombe and the person leading that day's ceremony raises the kikombe and the group shouts Harambee seven times together. Harambee is the call to unity and collective work.
FEAST:
Preferably, have dinner after lighting the candles and blow them out at the conclusion of the ceremony.
If that is not possible, conduct the knowledge-sharing portion of the ceremony each day, and prepare a feast for the last day.
ZAWADI (gifts):
On the final day of Kwanzaa, give zawadi to the members of your immediate family. Often, only the children receive these gifts.
Zawadi are only given to reward and promote achieving the principles of Kwanzaa. These gifts should show that we value hard work, honesty and high moral values.
As you give the zawadi, let the child/person know what specific accomplishment(s) you are recognizing in them.
Gift suggestions: books written by Black people about Black experiences, tickets to Black cultural events, Afrocentric clothing and educational materials.
RESOURCES
"To make preparation does not spoil the trip." - Guinea Proverb
Official website of founder Dr. Maulana Karenga
The Complete Kwanzaa Celebration Book
- by Linda Robertson
The Complete Kwanzaa: Celebrating our Cultural Harvest
- by Dorothy Winbush Riley
African Proverbs
- Compiled by Charlotte and Wolf Leslau
The Seven Days of Kwanzaa
- by Angela Shelf Medearis
African American Answer Book: Science and Discovery
- by R.S. Rennert
Crafts for Kwanzaa
- by Kathy Ross
Kwanzaa: An African American Holiday
- by Sharon Gayle
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