"Since its birth, Kwanzaa has become a widely celebrated cultural holiday across the world and has been integrated into many predominantly African-American churches and communities as a spiritual practice of reconnection." - Leila Mottley |  |
What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is a celebration of Pan-African culture that highlights the values of people throughout the African diaspora, specifically African-Americans, through literature, music, food, and community gatherings. It surrounds around seven values and ideals known as the Nguzo Saba (unity, self-determination, collective work & responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, faith) and their associated symbols. The word Kwanzaa means “the first fruits of the harvest” in Swahili and thus the holiday contains many elements from African harvest celebrations.
Where does it come from?
Following the Watts Rebellion (a violent clash between Black people and law enforcement in Los Angeles), Dr. Maulana Kerenga saw a need for unity in the Black community. In the face of the frequently fatal realities of the Civil Rights movement, he decided that Black people would benefit from a celebration of their heritage. In 1966, he officially founded a new holiday that would take place annually between December 26th and January 1st.
At the time of the Civil Rights movement, the embrace of Blackness in the community meant a reconnection to African belief systems. When Dr. Kerenga was constructing Kwanzaa, he kept these ideals in mind and used many African traditions (as well as Swahili, a common African language) to form the holiday. He created the seven principles of African culture in order to unite African-Americans with their cultural community values (there is one for each day of Kwanzaa).
Kwanzaa is a celebration of Pan-African culture that highlights the values of people throughout the African diaspora, specifically African-Americans, through literature, music, food, and community gatherings. It surrounds around seven values and ideals known as the Nguzo Saba (unity, self-determination, collective work & responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, faith) and their associated symbols. The word Kwanzaa means “the first fruits of the harvest” in Swahili and thus the holiday contains many elements from African harvest celebrations.
Where does it come from?
Following the Watts Rebellion (a violent clash between Black people and law enforcement in Los Angeles), Dr. Maulana Kerenga saw a need for unity in the Black community. In the face of the frequently fatal realities of the Civil Rights movement, he decided that Black people would benefit from a celebration of their heritage. In 1966, he officially founded a new holiday that would take place annually between December 26th and January 1st.
At the time of the Civil Rights movement, the embrace of Blackness in the community meant a reconnection to African belief systems. When Dr. Kerenga was constructing Kwanzaa, he kept these ideals in mind and used many African traditions (as well as Swahili, a common African language) to form the holiday. He created the seven principles of African culture in order to unite African-Americans with their cultural community values (there is one for each day of Kwanzaa).
Since its birth, Kwanzaa has become a widely celebrated cultural holiday across the world and has been integrated into many predominantly African-American churches and communities as a spiritual practice of reconnection. Many families celebrate it yearly, adding in their own unique traditions and foods. My family used Kwanzaa as more of an excuse to get together and talk, whether or not that related to anything inherently Kwanzaa-rooted. This celebration of community is arguably the most important part of the holiday.
Key Traditions of Kwanzaa:
Kinara Lighting
Each night of Kwanzaa, the family (or whomever is gathering) lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder). A child typically lights it. There are seven candles (known as the Mishuuma Saba) representing the seven principles and they are all either red, green, or black in recognition of the colors of the Pan-African flag. Each color has a meaning: “Black stands for the unity of all Black people. Green stands for freedom. Red represents the blood shed in the fight for freedom and unity.” The black candle is placed in the center of the Kinara and used to light the other candles. After the candle-lighting, the people gathered discuss the principle of the day.
Key Traditions of Kwanzaa:
Kinara Lighting
Each night of Kwanzaa, the family (or whomever is gathering) lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder). A child typically lights it. There are seven candles (known as the Mishuuma Saba) representing the seven principles and they are all either red, green, or black in recognition of the colors of the Pan-African flag. Each color has a meaning: “Black stands for the unity of all Black people. Green stands for freedom. Red represents the blood shed in the fight for freedom and unity.” The black candle is placed in the center of the Kinara and used to light the other candles. After the candle-lighting, the people gathered discuss the principle of the day.
Art/Music
Each group of people celebrates Kwanzaa differently, however most people engage in some sort of artistic expression including music, drumming, poetry readings, and singing. The most commonly sung song is the Black National Anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Each group of people celebrates Kwanzaa differently, however most people engage in some sort of artistic expression including music, drumming, poetry readings, and singing. The most commonly sung song is the Black National Anthem: Lift Every Voice and Sing.
Swahili Greetings
Dr. Kerenga intentionally made each important word in Kwanzaa celebration in both English and Swahili, a language spoken in various parts of Africa. There are some phrases in Swahili that are commonly repeated throughout Kwanzaa, including “Heri za Kwanzaa!” (Happy Kwanzaa). People also greet each other with, “Habari gani?” (meaning “what’s the news?”) and respond with the current day’s principle in Swahili.
Dr. Kerenga intentionally made each important word in Kwanzaa celebration in both English and Swahili, a language spoken in various parts of Africa. There are some phrases in Swahili that are commonly repeated throughout Kwanzaa, including “Heri za Kwanzaa!” (Happy Kwanzaa). People also greet each other with, “Habari gani?” (meaning “what’s the news?”) and respond with the current day’s principle in Swahili.
Symbols of Kwanzaa:
Mishuuma Saba (seven candles): represent Pan-African colors and placed in Kinara.
Kinara (candleholder): used every night to hold candles.
Mkeka (placemat): comes from traditional African straw/cloth placemats and symbolizes the historical foundations of our lives.
Mazao (crops): symbolizes work and reward. These are placed on the Mkeka.
Vibunzi (ear of corn): symbolizes fertility, reproduction, and the communal action of raising a child.
Kikombe Cha Umoja (Unity Cup): Each night during the Kinara lighting, those involved typically fill the Unity Cup with fruit juice and pass it around, everyone taking a sip. This is supposed to be a tradition in which one remembers their ancestors.
Zawadi (gifts): Gifts encouraging growth, determination, and success. Most gifts are handmade. By accepting the gift, you are morally obligated to fulfill the promise of the gift.
Mishuuma Saba (seven candles): represent Pan-African colors and placed in Kinara.
Kinara (candleholder): used every night to hold candles.
Mkeka (placemat): comes from traditional African straw/cloth placemats and symbolizes the historical foundations of our lives.
Mazao (crops): symbolizes work and reward. These are placed on the Mkeka.
Vibunzi (ear of corn): symbolizes fertility, reproduction, and the communal action of raising a child.
Kikombe Cha Umoja (Unity Cup): Each night during the Kinara lighting, those involved typically fill the Unity Cup with fruit juice and pass it around, everyone taking a sip. This is supposed to be a tradition in which one remembers their ancestors.
Zawadi (gifts): Gifts encouraging growth, determination, and success. Most gifts are handmade. By accepting the gift, you are morally obligated to fulfill the promise of the gift.
Days/Principles of Kwanzaa:
December 26th -- Umoja (Unity)
Kinara: The black candle is lit and the congregated people discuss unity.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of unity. The principle is to “strive for and maintain in the family, community, nation, and race.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flame is then extinguished.
December 27th -- Kujichagulia (Self-determination)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the purpose of self-determination. The principle is to “define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flames are then extinguished.
December 28th -- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light both the farthest red candle on the left and the farthest green candle on the right.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of collective work and responsibility. The principle is to “build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flames are then extinguished.
December 29th -- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left, the farthest green candle on the right, and the middle red candle on the left.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the historical and present impact of cooperative economics. The principle is to “build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flames are then extinguished.
December 30th -- Nia (Purpose)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left, the farthest green candle on the right, the middle red candle on the left, and the middle green candle on the right.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of purpose. The principle is to “make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flames are then extinguished.
December 26th -- Umoja (Unity)
Kinara: The black candle is lit and the congregated people discuss unity.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of unity. The principle is to “strive for and maintain in the family, community, nation, and race.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flame is then extinguished.
December 27th -- Kujichagulia (Self-determination)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the purpose of self-determination. The principle is to “define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flames are then extinguished.
December 28th -- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light both the farthest red candle on the left and the farthest green candle on the right.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of collective work and responsibility. The principle is to “build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flames are then extinguished.
December 29th -- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left, the farthest green candle on the right, and the middle red candle on the left.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the historical and present impact of cooperative economics. The principle is to “build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flames are then extinguished.
December 30th -- Nia (Purpose)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left, the farthest green candle on the right, the middle red candle on the left, and the middle green candle on the right.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of purpose. The principle is to “make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
The flames are then extinguished.
December 31st -- Kuumba (Creativity)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left, the farthest green candle on the right, the middle red candle on the left, the middle green candle on the right, and the final red candle.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of creativity. The principle is to “do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
Additional Activities: The Karamu (feast) takes place. The Karamu is one of the most important aspects of the holiday. It is the pinnacle community gathering and cultural celebration. The venue is decorated in black, green, and red. Traditional African-American, African, Caribbean, and South American food are prepared.
Typically, “a large Kwanzaa setting should dominate the room where the Karamu will take place. A large Mkeka should be placed in the center of the floor where the food should be placed creatively and made accessible to all for self-service. Prior to and during the feast, an informative and entertaining program should be presented.”
Here is Dr. Kerenga’s suggested format for the Karamu:
Kukaribisha (Welcoming)
Introductory Remarks and Recognition of Distinguished Guests and All Elders.
Cultural Expression (Songs, Music, Group Dancing, Poetry, Performances, Unity Circles)
Kuumba (Remembering)
Reflections of a Man, Woman and Child.
Cultural Expression (Songs, Music, Group Dancing, Poetry, Performances, Unity Circles)
Kuchunguza Tena Na Kutoa Ahadi Tena (Reassessment and Recommitment)
Introduction of Distinguished Guest Lecturer and Short Talk.
Kushangilla (Rejoicing)
This can be through art, music, poetry, dance, or a personal interpretation.
Tamshi la Tambiko (Libation Statement)
It is tradition to pour libation in remembrance of the ancestors on all special occasions. Kwanzaa, is such an occasion, as it provides us an opportunity to reflect on our African past and American present. Water is suggested as it holds the essence of life and should be placed in a communal cup and poured in the direction of the four winds; north, south, east, and west. It should then be passed among family members and guests who may either sip from the cup or make a sipping gesture.
LIBATION STATEMENT:
For The Motherland cradle of civilization.
For the ancestors and their indomitable spirit
For the elders from whom we can learn much.
For our youth who represent the promise for tomorrow.
For our people the original people.
For our struggle and in remembrance of those who have struggled on our behalf.
For Umoja the principle of unity which should guide us in all that we do.
For the creator who provides all things great and small.
At this point, The flames of the Kinara are extinguished.
Tamshi La Tutaonana (farewell statement) written by Dr. Kerenga is read by the eldest member present before the ceremony concludes. This is a farewell statement for both the feast and the year.
Each and everyone concludes the Karamu by saying "Harambee!" seven times.
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left, the farthest green candle on the right, the middle red candle on the left, the middle green candle on the right, and the final red candle.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of creativity. The principle is to “do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
Additional Activities: The Karamu (feast) takes place. The Karamu is one of the most important aspects of the holiday. It is the pinnacle community gathering and cultural celebration. The venue is decorated in black, green, and red. Traditional African-American, African, Caribbean, and South American food are prepared.
Typically, “a large Kwanzaa setting should dominate the room where the Karamu will take place. A large Mkeka should be placed in the center of the floor where the food should be placed creatively and made accessible to all for self-service. Prior to and during the feast, an informative and entertaining program should be presented.”
Here is Dr. Kerenga’s suggested format for the Karamu:
Kukaribisha (Welcoming)
Introductory Remarks and Recognition of Distinguished Guests and All Elders.
Cultural Expression (Songs, Music, Group Dancing, Poetry, Performances, Unity Circles)
Kuumba (Remembering)
Reflections of a Man, Woman and Child.
Cultural Expression (Songs, Music, Group Dancing, Poetry, Performances, Unity Circles)
Kuchunguza Tena Na Kutoa Ahadi Tena (Reassessment and Recommitment)
Introduction of Distinguished Guest Lecturer and Short Talk.
Kushangilla (Rejoicing)
This can be through art, music, poetry, dance, or a personal interpretation.
Tamshi la Tambiko (Libation Statement)
It is tradition to pour libation in remembrance of the ancestors on all special occasions. Kwanzaa, is such an occasion, as it provides us an opportunity to reflect on our African past and American present. Water is suggested as it holds the essence of life and should be placed in a communal cup and poured in the direction of the four winds; north, south, east, and west. It should then be passed among family members and guests who may either sip from the cup or make a sipping gesture.
LIBATION STATEMENT:
For The Motherland cradle of civilization.
For the ancestors and their indomitable spirit
For the elders from whom we can learn much.
For our youth who represent the promise for tomorrow.
For our people the original people.
For our struggle and in remembrance of those who have struggled on our behalf.
For Umoja the principle of unity which should guide us in all that we do.
For the creator who provides all things great and small.
At this point, The flames of the Kinara are extinguished.
Tamshi La Tutaonana (farewell statement) written by Dr. Kerenga is read by the eldest member present before the ceremony concludes. This is a farewell statement for both the feast and the year.
Each and everyone concludes the Karamu by saying "Harambee!" seven times.
January 1st -- Imani (Faith)
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left, the farthest green candle on the right, the middle red candle on the left, the middle green candle on the right, the final red candle, and then the final green candle.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of faith. The principle is “to believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
Additional Activities: During the Kinara lighting, Zawadi (gifts) are exchanged.
The flames are then extinguished and the holiday comes to a close.
Overview
As a fairly new holiday, Kwanzaa leaves room for a personal interpretation of what it means to celebrate Blackness and value systems born out of the Black Power movement and Civil Rights Era. The material needs for the holiday are few and many churches and museums hold free public celebrations as well. If you like the idea of a holiday celebration that is based more in culture and history than religion, there are others that fulfill this, including Dia de Los Muertos (Mexico), O-Bon (Japan), Yam Festival (Igbo), and, of course, Kwanzaa (African-American/Pan-African). Go celebrate!
Kinara: The black candle is lit again and then used to light the farthest red candle on the left, the farthest green candle on the right, the middle red candle on the left, the middle green candle on the right, the final red candle, and then the final green candle.
Discussion: This may involve a reading from a text or poem about the importance of faith. The principle is “to believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.”
Unity Cup: The Unity Cup is passed around.
Additional Activities: During the Kinara lighting, Zawadi (gifts) are exchanged.
The flames are then extinguished and the holiday comes to a close.
Overview
As a fairly new holiday, Kwanzaa leaves room for a personal interpretation of what it means to celebrate Blackness and value systems born out of the Black Power movement and Civil Rights Era. The material needs for the holiday are few and many churches and museums hold free public celebrations as well. If you like the idea of a holiday celebration that is based more in culture and history than religion, there are others that fulfill this, including Dia de Los Muertos (Mexico), O-Bon (Japan), Yam Festival (Igbo), and, of course, Kwanzaa (African-American/Pan-African). Go celebrate!