Kwanzaa in a nutshell is the brainchild of Dr. Maulana Karenga. Maulana
invented the holiday one year after the Watts riots of Los Angeles to exemplify the
rebuilding and unity of the black community that fostered after this
violent event. Thereafter it has become responsible for inspiring Kwanzaa
celebrations in England, Canada, Zimbabwe, and Kenya. The foundation
of Kwanzaa (meaning first fruits in Swahili) lies in the Nguzo Saba,
the Seven Principles which begins on December 26 to January 1.
The Celebration
The first day Umoja (unity) -- to strive for unity in the family, nation,
and race. The second day Kujichaglia (self-determination) means that
we will define ourselves, name ourselves, and create for ourselves.
The third day,Ujima (collective work and responsibility) - to build
and maintain our community together and to make our sisters and
brothers problems our problems. The fourth day is Ujamaa (cooperative economics),
this day symbolizes our need to own our own stores, shops, and other
businesses so that we all may profit together. With Ujamaa in full swing
we can end some of the poverty that exist in our community. The fifth day,
Nia (purpose) implies the need to rebuild our communities and making
our surrounding more beautiful with an emphasis on bringing our people back
to our traditional greatness. Kuumba (creativity), the sixth day of
the Kwanzaa celebration strives to teach all to leave our community
more beneficial and beautiful than we inherited it. The final day,
Imani (faith) means that we should try with all of our heart to believe in
our people, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness of our
struggle to victory.
Themes and Principles of Kwanzaa
The Theme of Kwanzaa is the building of family, community,
and culture. The language of Kwanzaa is Swahili since it is a nationalistic
language and is spoken in every country in Africa.
Symbols of Kwanzaa
Most holidays have symbols that represents it's meaning. At the beginning
of the Kwanzaa holiday, families traditionally lay a mkeka (a straw mat)
on a low table to symbolize the foundation of our being. Our being
encompasses our family, community and culture. Next, families put
the kinara (candle holder) on top of the mat. The kinara holds seven
candles. The three candles on the right side are green and signifies a
prosperous future. The three candles on the left symbolize the struggle
that we all must fight. The black candle is in the center and symbolies the
people, the black people. Usually at home the family will put a bandera
(flag) on the table consisting of the colors red, black, and green.
Next place ears of muhindi (corn) on the table to symbolize the children.
You can put one piece of muhindi on the table for both the sexes, or put one
on the table for each child. The mazoa (fruits
and vegetables) shown in the picture symbolizes one's labor throughout
the year--the families success and accomplishments. Lastly, place a book
on the table symbolizing education and the process of our peoples continued
looking back to classical African civilization always bearing in mind
Dr. Carter G. Woodson's classic quote from his book
The Miseducation of the Negro, 1933.
The chief difficulty with the education of the Negro (you can put in black or
african, the word negro is from that time period, RRRjr) is that it has
been largely imitation resulting in the enslavement of his mind. Somebody outside
of the race has desired to try out on Negroes some experiment which interested
him and his coworkers; and Negroes,being objects of charity, have received them
cordially and have done what they required. In fact, the keynote in the
education of the Negro has been to do what he is told to do."
About Gifts
Giving gifts is not a fundamental part of Kwanzaa, and if gifts are given
they are usually given to children. Unlike the Christmas holiday most
Kwanzaa gifts consists of a book and a symbol of African heritage.
Let's Feast
On the sixth day of Kwanzaa a karumu (feast) is given. The karamu consists
of your traditional dish or even Carribbean or Motherland dishes. If
you want more information on the Kwanzaa celebration check out the
December 1997 and December 1998 issues of Essence magazine, or the fine
books listed.
- My First Kwanzaa, by Deborah M. Newton (for ages 5-11)
- Kwanzaa: An Uplifting African-America Holiday, by Haki R. Madhubuti
- The African-American Holiday of Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community,
and Culture, by Maulana Karenga, the founder of Kwanzaa.
There is a abundance of information on the Kwanzaa holiday. Use the links
provided to learn more about our holiday.
Robert Rucker is the founder of the BlackWebPortal.com and is
an expert electrical engineering, software, and information
technology consulting manager.
