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• Kwanzaa is a seven day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. Kwanzaa begins on December 26 and continues until January 1.MelaNet: What is Kwanzaa

• Fast Facts

  1. Kwanzaa was established in December of 1966MelaNet: What is Kwanzaa
  2. Created by Dr. Maulana KarengaOfficial Kwanzaa Site
  3. Kwanzaa 2008 Theme: "Kwanzaa and the Seven Principles: Repairing and Renewing the World"Official Kwanzaa Site
  4. Kwanzaa means "first fruits" in Swahili
  5. Gifts are often given to children based on meritThe National Rites of Passage Institute: The Meaning of Kwanzaa
  6. Books are often given as gifts to represent the importance of learning and educationOfficial Kwanzaa Site: Greetings and Colors
  7. Seven candles in the Kinara are lit, one for each day and each of the Seven Principles of KwanzaaHolidays.net: Lighting the Kinara
  8. The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and greenOfficial Kwanzaa Site: Greetings and Colors

• The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

  The seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba, are as follows:

  1. Unity (Umoja)
  2. Self-Determination (Kujichagulia)
  3. Collective Work & Responsibility (Ujima)
  4. Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa)
  5. Purpose (Nia)
  6. Creativity (Kuumba)
  7. Faith (Imani)MelaNet: What is Kwanzaa The National Rites of Passage Institute: The Meaning of Kwanzaa

• The Symbols of Kwanzaa

  There are nine symbols of Kwanzaa, seven basic symbols and two supplemental symbols.

  1. Mazao—the crops
  2. Mkeka—the mat
  3. Kinara—the candle holder
  4. Muhindi—the corn
  5. Mishumaa Saba—the seven candles
  6. Kikombe cha Umoja—the Unity Cup
  7. Zawadi—the Gifts

  • Supplemental Symbols:

  1. Bendera—the flag
  2. Nguzo Saba Poster—the poster of the Seven PrinciplesOfficial Kwanzaa Site: Symbols of Kwanzaa

• Related Mahalo Pages

  How to Celebrate Kwanzaa | How to Light Kwanzaa Candles | Black History Month | Christmas | New Year's | How to Celebrate Festivus | December Holidays | Free Holiday Ecards | Holiday Photo Cards | December Holidays | HumanLight

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