Kwanzaa is a non-religious Pan-African and African American holiday initiated in 1966 by [[Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga]. It is a holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture.http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml It is celebrated for seven days: from December 26 through January 1. The Kwanzaa traditions constitute of diverse cultural displays to reflect the different African heritages. Many African- American families in the United States and Canada honor the Kwanzaa holiday and also pass on its traditions to their children.
Details
Kwanzaa traditions includes the making of Kwanzaa gifts, decorating of homes with African materials and fruits, lighting of the seven colored candles on the candleholder called the Kinara , drinking from the unity cup known as the Kikombe Cha Umoja , placing of a mat called the Mkeka , honoring of the ancestors, cooking of different African dishes and of course the Kwanzaa feast known as the Karamu.http://www.novareinna.com/festive/kwanzaa.html
References
Fast Facts
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Fact 1
The name Kwanzaa was derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means first fruit
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Fact 2
Kwanzaa is not only celebrated by Africans, some non- Africans also participate in the celebration.
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Fact 3
The candle holder (Kinara) symbolizes the root of the African people
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Fact 4
The unity cup (Kikombe Cha Umoja) symbolizes the unity of the Africans
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Fact 5
The placemat (Mkeka) is a symbol of the African history and traditions
