Kwanzaa: Facts, Resources, and Information

• Buffer
• Tweet

The word “Kwanzaa,” often spelled “Kwanza” in African countries, means “first” in the Swahili language and signifies the “fruits of the harvest.” The holiday of Kwanzaa begins on December 26 of each year and continues through January 1.

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is just one of the many customs that is celebrated by many of the ethnic groups that reside within the continent of Africa. Kwanzaa is the celebration of the harvest, and at this time people of the villages and within the communities come together to give thanks for their fortune. Successful harvest season is dependent upon the work of the community, and it is celebrated as such.

The New York Times reported in 2000 that nearly 18 million people worldwide celebrate Kwanzaa.

The History of Kwanzaa in the United States

The observance of Kwanzaa in the United States began in 1966 when Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga began promoting the cultural observance of the harvest celebration. Dr. Karenga recognized that on the whole, the African American community does not live in an agricultural setting, but that some of the basic principles of the harvest are vital to building stronger and more wholesome communities. While the African nations spell the holiday as “Kwanza,” Dr. Karenga added the extra “a” to make the spelling “Kwanzaa.” This was done to differentiate between the African celebration of Kwanza and the adaptation of the holiday within the United States.

Why is Kwanzaa Celebrated?

Beyond the celebration of community and the harvest, Kwanzaa is also a time of reflection. It is a time to share and enjoy the fruits of hard work and to reconnect with the community, family, and personal goals.

Symbols of Kwanzaa

Like many holidays, Kwanzaa has symbols which hold special meaning:

Mkeka: A straw mat that symbolizes the tradition of Kwanzaa as the foundation on which all else rests.

Kinara: A seven-space candle holder that represents the original stalk from which the African people originated.

Mishumaa Saba (Seven Candles): This represents the Seven Principles and what they mean to the community not only during Kwanzaa, but throughout the year.

Muhindi: The ears of corn represent the children of the stalk.

Zawadi: Represents the fruits of the labor by the parents and the rewards of the seeds that were sown by the children.

What Are Some Kwanzaa Customs?

Throughout the celebration of the Kwanzaa holiday, it is customary to greet friends and family with “Habari gani,” a Swahili phrase which means, “What is the news?” In response, the principle of the day would be given.

Some people who celebrate Kwanzaa choose to fast, or abstain from taking in food, as a means of cleansing the mind and spirit.

What Are The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa?

Umoja (oo-MO-jah): Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, “I am We,” or “I am because We are.”

Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah): Self-Determination requires that common interests are defined and decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community are made.

Ujima (oo-GEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility reminds the community of the obligation to the past, present and future, and that everyone plays a role in the community, society, and world.

Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah): Cooperative economics emphasizes collective economic strength and encourages the community to meet common needs through mutual support.

Nia (NEE-yah): Purpose encourages the community to look within themselves as individuals and as a group to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.

Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity makes use of r creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community.

Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith focuses on honoring the best of the traditions, drawing upon the best in people, and helps people strive for a higher level of life for humankind while affirming self-worth and confidence in the ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.

Kwanzaa Resources

Information About Kwanzaa from the University of Pennsylvania African Studies Center
Mini Unit about Kwanzaa, GRADE LEVEL: 2nd-3rd, AUTHOR: Tracy Cady
The Meaning of Kwanzaa by the Smithsonian Anacostia Museum
Teaching lesson plans about Kwanzaa

Resource by AnnaBelle

Annalise Kaylor is a freelance writer, editor, and consultant specializing in search engine optimized content for the web. As a writer, her work has appeared across the United States in print ads for Whirlpool, Maytag, Home Depot, and Lowe's, among others. As a consultant, she has worked primarily in the education sector, helping universities increase their web visibility and construct and implement social media strategy. Annalise is an avid reader, knitter, organic gardener and baker, as well as the author of the popular baking blog, Knead To Be Loaved. Annalise enjoys fly fishing, camping, and hiking.

Related Research For Teachers, Students, and Kids