Kwanzaa

From December 26th through January 1st, Africans, and those with African heritage, have the opportunity to celebrate a holiday that is a reminder of their culture: Kwanzaa. Kwanza, from the Swahili phrase “Matunda ya kwanza’’ meaning first fruit of the harvest (“Kwanzaa,” par. 1), is a Pan-Africanist holiday that was started by Dr. Maulana Karenga during the Black Power movement of the 1960s. Maulana's intention, in founding the holiday, was to bring African Americans back to their African roots in a time of racial crisis. Kwanza serves as a form of the African Diaspora, through which African culture and ideas are spread throughout the world. Since it isn’t a religious holiday, those with an African background, and even those who simply
Due to its connection to African culture and history, the colors of Kwanzaa represent certain portions of African history that are most important to remember: black (the skin tone of Africans and African Americans), red (the blood shed during slavery and the colonial era), and green (the color of Earth and Africa). According to the Official Kwanzaa Website, in order to emphasize the importance of community building, there are seven principles of Kwanzaa, known as the “Nguzu Saba,”that are celebrated on each day of the holiday. These concepts of the festivities are as follows: “Umoja (unity focusing on family connection), “Kujichagulia” (self-determination), “Ujima (collective work and responsibility), “Ujamaa” (economics), “Nia” (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and “Imani” (faith) (“Kwanzaa,” par. 6). As Kwanza was designed to stress to African Americans the values that they all share, it comes as no surprise that the basic tenets of Kwanzaa mirror the beliefs of: family, community, culture, and the best of what Africans, and humanity, have to
In order to truly know the influence of the festivities on African American life, one must take the opportunity to share in the new experiences that Kwanzaa has to offer them. If, after a single a trial, an individual decides that they did not enjoy the celebration, or he/she were unable to see the relevance of the holiday in their life, then this person can choose not to partake in the occasion anymore; that is one of the freedoms that is held dear to the heart of every single American in this country: the right to respect the holiday, that is being celebrated nationally, while not being forced to share in the celebration. However, African Americans should at least try the holiday in order to fully understand why those who celebrate it on a regular basis find it so