This holiday celebrating African Americans' heritage began in 1966. It is celebrated from December 26-January 1 each year. On December 31, a great feast is prepared, similar to Thanksgiving. This isn't the only thing Kwanza uses that's adapted from other holidays. Kwanza's symbol is the kinara, which is a candle holder with candles, like Hanukah's, but has only seven candles. Each day of Kwanza has an African word which can be translated into an American word with a meaning. These are called principles and are listed below:
-December 26 - Umoga (Unity) To strive to maintain unity in the family, community, and nation
-December 27 - Kujichaguila (Self-Detirmination) To create, name, and define our lives for ourselves
-December 28 - Ugima (Collective Work & Responsibility) To build and maintain our community while working with others to solve our problems
-December 29 - Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses, and profit from them together
-December 30 - Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community
-December 31 - Kuumba (Creativity) To leave our community more for more beneficial and beautiful than when we inherited it
-January 1 - Imani (Faith) To believe in our people, teachers, and leaders in the virtue and victory of our struggle. |
