Kwanzaa incorporates large elements pertaining to the African American way of life and its attendant traditional culture. Taken part within the dates of December 26th to January 1st, Kwanzaa stresses the need to bond with one’s family, community and culture. In this article, we shall analyze the history, principles, symbols, and holidays that are important to Kwanzaa, as well as its role for people of African descent and other cultures around the globe.
Key Takeaways
- Kwanzaa is a celebration which is practiced during the time of December 26th to January 1 and lasts for seven days’s as it has been designated to the African American people.
- The focal points of this holiday are the Seven Principles: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani.
- Kinara and the Unity Cup are some symbols that stress these principles, gogo’s and presents are also contributing to the family scopes that these elements reinforce.
- A different candle is lit every day, along with some of which culture the candle represents. There are forums which promote love and respect for the culture represented within the Kwanzaa eventail.
- Kwanzaa accounts for family cohesion, teamwork, encouragement and self-drive among participants which then helps them advance the next generation better.
What is Kwanzaa?
The Origins of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 and it was the idea Dr. Maulana Karenga who taught at California State University, Long Beach as an Africana Studies professor. It is an African National holiday established during the Black freedom movements that enable African Americans to celebrate African holidays and cultural values instead of American religious holidays.
Maulana Karenga – The Creator of Kwanzaa
Dr. Karenga envisioned establishing a holiday that targeted African Americans in times of togetherness and stressed the self-determining nature of the people. Kwanzaa has its background from African harvest festivals but is a blending of various Pan-African traditions to affirm the identity of African Americans.
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba)
For Kwanzaa, the most important are the Seven Principles, Nguzo Saba. Each of the seven days in the week-long celebration is devoted to one principle but is primarily meant for the society’s guiding principles for African Americans.
Each Principle
1- Umoja (Unity)
Unity is the principal and the first of the 7 guiding principles of Kwanzaa focusing on the oneness of family, friends, and community. This principle also urges everybody to strive for the common good and instills a spirit of togetherness. When all people come together under the same activities and cause, their joints and muscles ache, but the community grows, deeper and stronger.
2- Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Kujichagulia concentrates on the aspect that one has to self-identify with a name, culture and a set of principles or values. This principle empowers people to be proactive in their lives, make decisions without relying on others and be proud of their identity. Self-determination is self-respect that grants a person the ability to make their own choices free of outside influences.
3- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Ujima’s policy is based on the broad premise that all the problems in the community are problems of all the people in the community. This principle underpins the importance of working together in order to resolve problem issues and enhance the social welfare of the community. Ujima celebrates responsibility but emphasizes that no progress is possible without unity against a common enemy; ignorance.
4- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Ujamaa promotes the idea of ownership as an African American family and community in regard to industry. It seeks to promote Black entrepreneurship and activities that seek to uplift the entire community. This principle stresses on the need to be self-reliant economically and to assist each other financially, hence creating and nurturing an economy that is sustainable for all parties.
5- Nia (Purpose)
Nia challenges people to act deliberately and in the service of others. This principle speaks to sustaining the development of the community and the alignment of personal interests with those of the community. People are able to find a way of doing good for themselves and society in a way that brings about and sustains change in their communities.
6- Kuumba (Creativity)
Kuumba recognizes the role of creativity in enabling transformation and in expressing culture. This principle is a call to action for individuals to tap into their creativity for positive societal change. Through art, music, innovation and problem-solving, Kuumba instils creativity and self-expression that adds value to the community with new perspectives and ideas.
7- Imani (Faith)
Imani is the seventh principle, and it underscores the importance of faith, belief in oneself and one’s community and the propriety of one’s ideologies. The philosophy propounds imani, which is faith in the ongoing movement of the people as a source of social change and cultural preservation. This principle encourages a strong faith and understanding of the strength within the community and the power of the people’s spiritual, social and cultural dimensions.
The Symbols of Kwanzaa
The principles and themes of Kwanzaa can be found succinctly manifested in its symbols. The various symbols give meaning and explain the significance of this day to the people establishing the festival with various elements of African culture.
The Seven Symbols Explained
1- Mazao (Crops)
The term Mazao refers to the crops, which are basically the end products of the harvest. Hard work and cooperation have fruits that Mazao symbolizes. The crops represent the entirety of the community and the hard work that goes into its productivity, instilling the importance of sharing the fruits of labour with one’s loved ones.
During Kwanzaa, fruits and vegetables are placed on the Kwanzaa table, emphasizing the abundance of the earth and the need for all to band together in order to realize common objectives.
2- Mkeka (Mat)
The other Kwanzaa symbols rest on the Mkeka, which is a mat made from cloth or straw. Since the Mkeka represents a mat that people can stand on, then it is a reminder of cultural edifice that underpins Kwanzaa. The ancestors and what they have done are acknowledged by this mat which stresses the importance of tradition guiding people and the community. The mat stands firm in place and helps everyday people up holding the values of the culture.
3- Mishumaa Saba (Seven Candles)
The seven candles known as the Mishumaa Saba relate to the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, with each niche being represented by one candle. These candles are contained within the Kinara, which is designed to hold seven candles in it. It is customary to light a candle every night for seven consecutive nights.
Three candles are red, three are green, and one is black, which stand for different attributes of the people of Africa and their quest for freedom.
4- Kinara (Candle Holder)
The Kinara, which is also referred to as a candle holder, is a vital part of Kwanzaa and is meant to hold all the Mishumaa Saba. The black colour represents the African people and is therefore put in the middle of the candles.
To the left are three red coloured candles representing the struggles of the African people, while to the right are three green coloured candles representing the brighter days that are unity. The Kinara is the symbol of the Kwanzaa’s cultural and spiritual heart.
5- Kikombe cha Umoja (Unity Cup)
The Kikombe cha Umoja, or Unity Cup, is utilized to carry out braziers, an assertion that ‘libations were poured in honour of the elders and leaders of the society. The Unity Cup is passed around, and each takes a sip. This ritual allows them to pledge once more their devotion to the spirit of the people.
The Unity Cup reinforces the principle of togetherness by reminding them that there is a joint obligation that each member has to foster and protect the ties that bind the community.
6- Muhindi (Ear of Corn)
One Muhindi or ear of corn stands for children and for the posterity that they stand for. On the Mkeka, one ear of corn is placed for each child of the household. In the event of a family lacking children, one ear of corn is placed, symbolizing the common will of the community to raise and support future generations. Muhindi evokes the assistance of the participants in breaking the way for the future generation and preservation of the cultural tenets.
7- Zawadi (Gifts)
Zawadi or gifts are offered on the last day of Kwanzaa and revolve around themes of self-enhancement, learning and culture. Most of these presents are handmade or gifted with an education purpose in mind so as to motivate people to develop personally and have a better understanding of the African culture.
Zawadi represents the nurturance of the self and the community through the ideals of never-ending learning as well as the need to work for the improvement of society.
Additional Traditions of Kwanzaa
The Kwanzaa decorations come in black, red, and green which symbolize the strength and unity of the African community. A family setting such as the one described above is very likely to come across Kwanzaa symbols making it very ideal for family times.
How to Celebrate Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is marked for seven days, and each day celebrates a principle. So, each day is characterized by one of the following tenets.
Day 1 – December 26: Umoja (Unity)
Kwanzaa starts with the principle of Umoja, which emphasizes family and social unity. Family members come together to light the black candle from Kinara’s centre. This candle represents black people and their cultural identification. The aim of the day is to encourage togetherness among family members and within the community.
Families perhaps engage in storytelling, relaying personal or historical events that bring the audience to depict the merit of oneness. A good meal may be shared later, and it helps to merge them into stronger connections and give them the meaning of the festivities.
Day 2 – December 27: Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
On the second day, the focus shifts to self-determination, or Kujichagulia, which is celebrated on the second day. The first red candle, which represents the struggles that African Americans have endured, lights on this day. This day dictates people to self-introspect and realize the significance of narrating one’s own tale.
On this day, families can exchange stories, perform songs or partake in activities that focus on specific accomplishments and promote cultural values, thereby encouraging self-sufficiency and self-honour.
Day 3 – December 28: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To families, who are on the third day of the celebration, the first green candle is lit as a sign of hope and future development. The term Ujima is the third principle of Kwanzaa, which translates into English as collective work and responsibility, and again, families often take part in community service or some norm, in this instance supporting or promoting some local activity.
This day calls attention to the need for collaborative efforts in addressing community problems and instils the idea that change is possible through combined action and a less fragile community.
Day 4 – December 29: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
The fourth day is commemorated with Ujamaa or cooperative economics. The second red candle is lit to remind individuals of the necessity of supporting businesses run by Black people and developing independence within the community.
Families explore ways of achieving financial self-reliance through pulling resources, encouraging local businesses, or mutual aid. This day recognizes the need for an economy that serves the whole community and where people can uplift and be uplifted.
Day 5 – December 30: Nia (Purpose)
On the fifth day, the second green candle is lit depicting gratitude and expansion on its theme. Nia or purpose is about individuals and groups determining what they think would help their community evolution. The elderly are encouraged to imagine the actions they wish to take and why they would be useful to others in the near future.
Today is especially for one to voice their wishes, their goals, and how such scope and aspirations would be useful to everyone in the family and community at large.
Day 6 – December 31: Kuumba (Creativity)
By lighting the last red candle on the sixth day of the celebration, kuumba, or creativity, is emphasized. This principle urges members of the community to tap into their creativity for the betterment of society and for the respect of its legacy.
Communities may be involved in creative industries such as painting or musical performance or even dance and in doing so, they enhance, and enrich their communities.
It is the artistic expression and the desire for creation that drive kuumba – making the world a better place than it was found.
Day 7 – January 1: Imani (Faith)
The last day of odprawianiu Kwanzaa, which is celebrated on the 1st of January, features Imani, alternatively referred to as faith, as its central theme. And lastly, participants turn to the last green candle and together say goodbye to the festivities with the customary Karamu. A great part of the day is set aside to self concentrate on the faith in self, faith in family and in the community.
It fosters a faith in the cultural heritage as it has been passed on through the ages. There are family gifts which are usually responsible or educationally oriented, explaining the idea of going hand in hand with self-improvement or development with a love of culture. Imani is a pledge to the power of the people and the promise that the people will make a good effort to redeem the time.
The Cultural Impact and Legacy of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa has expanded rapidly since it was first established, with a number of its practitioners estimated to number in the millions in the United States and other parts of the world. This holiday has etched its place as a keystone of the African American traditions allowing for the time to reflect and appreciate one’s culture.
Kwanzaa is also celebrated by other people all over the world as it connects all people of African origin in an event that has no boundary. This event helps to bind the African race worldwide and it allows for camaraderie and a sense of nationalism.
Kwanzaa has a vital impact in terms of the affirmation of one’s ‘cultural’ identity, and it allows African Americans to proudly demonstrate who they are and their history, and contributions. Kwanzaa, by adhering to the seven principles, further empowers and expands the appreciation of the African Roots.
Resources for Further Learning
There are books, for instance, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, that was authored by Maulana Karenga which show the history and relevant customs related to the holiday. They are available for publication at local libraries and bookstores.
The Kwanzaa official website and other resources on the internet contain primary information about the holiday, including some other subject matters, themes, additional readings relevant to the activity and events.
My Opinion
Kwanzaa is a unique holiday that honors the culture, family, and the community of the African Americans. It does not really matter whether someone is celebrating Kwanzaa for the first time or has done it for several years, it is giving the perfect way of revisiting one’s beliefs and the culture, the fabric of community.
