The History of Kwanzaa for Christmas Traditions
Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African holiday celebrated annually from December 26th to January 1st. The celebration of Kwanzaa was created by Doctor Mualana Kerunga of California State University in 1966.
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Timing
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Kwanzaa was celebrated for the first time on December 26th, 1966 taking its name from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which translates as first fruits. Ancient African civilizations such as those in Egypt and Nubia celebrated first fruit festivals.
Kinora
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A candle is lit everyday over Kwanzaa and placed in a candleholder called a Kinora.This candleholder is used to represent the ancestry of African-American people. The celebration of ancestry is often present in African festivals.
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Candles
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The seven candles, or Mishumaa Saba, represent a number of things including the power of the sun. They are also colored red, black and green and represent the African Gods.
Flag
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The Bandera, or flag, is colored red, black and green. It represents the colors given by Marcus Garvey, political activist and founder of the first American chapter of the Universal Negro Improvement Association. These colors are representative of African people, their struggle, and hope for the future.
Food
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Throughout Kwanzaa, dishes are prepared from different countries and areas around the world where African culture is prevalent. By creating dishes from areas such as the Caribbean, South America and African countries, more is learned about the history and cultures of these areas. A tropical Kwanzaa menu uses lots of fresh fruit and vegetables and includes meals such as pinto beans, rice, Creole turkey and Yassa chicken.
Gifts
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The exchange of gifts, or Zawadi, is important in the festival of Kwanzaa, as the gifts are often handmade and educational. These gifts are often used to provide information about African culture and ancestry.
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