Kwanzaa 2018

Description

Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. It is celebrated from December 26th through January 1st and is a seven-day holiday. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach, as a way to bring African Americans together and reconnect with their African heritage.

Kwanzaa has seven core principles, called the Nguzo Saba, which are African values that serve as a guide for how to live a good life. These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of these principles, and the celebration includes activities such as lighting a kinara (candle holder) with seven candles (each representing a principle), reading, feasting, and gift-giving.

Kwanzaa is a time for reflection, commemoration, and joy, and it is a reminder of the importance of African American culture and heritage. It is a celebration of the African American community and their resilience in the face of struggle, and it is a time for celebrating the joys and successes of African Americans. Kwanzaa is a time for African Americans to remember their past, celebrate their present, and look to the future with hope and optimism.