The Very Symbolic Celebration of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa (December 26 to January 1) is a festival to celebrate African and African American culture. It is a cultural festival, often celebrated along with other holidays. Each day celebrates a different principle, including unity and faith, honored by lighting a candle each night. The seven symbols of Kwanzaa are seven candles, a candleholder, a unity cup, crops, corn, gifts, and a mat. The sixth day is the day of the biggest celebration. The final day is for quietly contemplating the new year.
Origins
Kwanzaa is a product of the Black Power Movement of the 1960s.
African Americans fought for an equal place in American society. The struggle for equality included a movement for empowerment and respect for African-American culture. Pan-Africanism, a respect for the unity of Africans worldwide, arose.
African-American activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga created the celebration in 1966. “Kwanzaa” comes from matunda ya kwanza, which means "first fruits" in Swahili, one of the most spoken African languages. The saying honors the joy and unity of the harvest season.
Seven children were present for the first Kwanzaa celebration. So, an extra “a” was added.
Kwanzaa or Christmas?
Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1.
It honors African and African American culture and history. Kwanza is a cultural holiday. It is not a religious holiday like Hanukkah or Christmas.
Dr. Maulana Karenga promoted the festival as an alternative to Christmas. Christmas was dominated by “crass commercialism” and filled with white icons, including a white Jesus.
Many people did not want to choose. As Kwanzaa grew in popularity, spreading internationally, people of different religious faiths said, “Why not both?” Karenga eventually agreed.
The Kwanzaa and other winter celebrations are sensible companions. They each celebrate family, faith, togetherness, and joy. People enjoy food and gifts.
People of all religious faiths can enjoy Kwanzaa and their chosen celebrations.
Seven Days of Kwanzaa
Seven is a symbolic number for the celebration of Kwanzaa. There are seven days, seven principles, seven candles, and seven symbols.
“While the first principle of Umoja brings us closer and harnesses our strength, the last principle, Imani, inspires us and sustains our togetherness. Let us have faith in ourselves, in our creator, in our mothers and fathers, in our grandmothers and grandfathers, in our elders, and in our future–knowing that we are more than keepers of our brothers and sisters, we are our brothers and sisters.”
Kwanzaa teaches seven principles (Nguzo Saba), each having a day to shine.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith). The principles arise from African traditions.
Seven Candles
A menorah is a candleholder used for Hanukkah. The kinara is the candleholder for a Kwanzaa celebration. There are seven candles (Mishumaa Saba): three red, three green, and a black one in the center. Each night, family and friends gather together to light a candle.
First, an adult pours water and juice into a unity cup (Kikombe cha Umoja) to honor everyone’s African ancestors. The cup is passed to everyone to drink. Then, everyone shouts “Harambee” (Swahili for "let’s pull together" and pronounced hah-RAHM-beh) seven times.
On the first night, everyone lights the black candle (the unity candle). This candle represents the African people. Everyone then alternates red and green for the next six nights.
On the second night, everyone lights the red candle on the right of the unity candle. The red candles symbolize self-determination, freedom, and the bloodshed of the black struggle.
On the third night, everyone lights the green candle on the left of the unity candle. Green candles symbolize the earth, subsistence, and possibilities.
The red and green candles alternate for the next four nights.
Seven Symbols
We already talked about the unity cup, candle, and candleholder. Children and everyone else receive gifts (Zawadi) honoring African heritage. The gifts are frequently homemade. Homemade gifts are personal, enjoyable to produce and help avoid excessive commercialism.
Crops (Mazao) from the harvest (fruits, vegetables, and nuts) remind everyone that the holiday arises from a harvest festival. Corn (Muhindi) represents the children of a family (one ear each) or the children of the community (when the family has no children).
Everyone places six symbols on the seventh, a fine Kwanzaa woven mat made of fabric, raffia, or paper (Mkeka).
Karamu: The Big Feast
The biggest day of celebration is the sixth day (December 31), the “Karamu Ya Imani” (Feast of Faith). People honor the principles of renewal, rededication, and resilience.
Kente cloth, a brightly colored West African fabric, is regularly worn.
There is a grand feast with meals including peanut soup, shrimp gumbo, and desserts like sweet potato pie and fried bananas. People play music, dance, and sing.
People celebrate the last day (New Year's Day) in a more somber mood. They contemplate the upcoming year and consider what they can do to succeed and thrive.
A Day For Everyone?
Kwanzaa is a celebration of African-American culture.
Dr. Maulana Karenga argues that it is a day that everyone can celebrate. For instance, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that celebrates Mexican heritage. Everyone can enjoy the holiday.
African American History Month (February) celebrates African history. Carter Woodson, the father of the concept, understood it as a means to tell a complete view of history.
Kwanzaa is a means for everyone to celebrate African history and culture. Africans are likely to be in charge of the celebrations and rituals. Nonetheless, others can take part in various ways.
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