Kwanzaa: Celebration of Cultural Heritage and Traditional Values

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration held in the United States and in other nations of the Western African diaspora. 

Kwanzaa Candle and traditional food

This celebration honors African heritage in African-American culture. This year Kwanzaa begins onDecember 26th and ends on January 1^st with the feast and gift-giving.

According to history, Kwanzaa has seven core principles called Nguzo Saba.

It was created by Maulana Karenga.  The first Kwanzaa celebration was at the end of 1966 beginning 1967. 

The Black Candle represents the first principle Umoja (unity) and is placed in the center of the Kinara. The red candles represent the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics) and Kuumba (creativity) and are placed to the left of the black candle. The green candles represent the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose) and Imani (faith) and are placed to the right of the black candle. The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle.

The Principles of Kwanzaa

Source from Official Kwanza website: http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml

umoja (oo-MOH-ja)

Meaning: unity

Action: building a community that holds together

kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-yah)

Meaning: self-determination

Action: speaking for yourself and making choices that benefit the community

ujima (oo-JEE-mah)

Meaning: collective work and responsibility

Action: helping others within the community

ujamaa (oo-JAH-ma)

Meaning: cooperative economics

Action: supporting businesses that care about the community

nia (nee-AH)

Meaning: a sense of purpose

Action: setting goals that benefit the community

kuumba (koo-OOM-bah)

Meaning: creativity

Action: making the community better and more beautiful

imani (ee-MAH-nee)

Meaning: faith

Action: believing that a better world can be created for communities now and in the future

Activity for Kids: Coloring Pages:

http://www.crayola.com/free-coloring-pages/print/kwanzaa-coloring-page/

Kwanzaa Songs: https://youtu.be/ZQneok5d0xA

For Tradition,  values and more: http://www.whychristmas.com/customs/kwanzaa.shtml

¿Qué es Kwanzaa?

Según la historia Kwanzaa tiene siete principios básicos llamados Nguzo Saba. Fue creado por Maulana Karenga. La celebración dura ocho días y empieza el 26 de Diciembre y finaliza el Primero de Enero. Los colores de las velas en la Kinara representan: La Negra, representa su gente, la roja el sufrimiento de su gente, y el verde la esperanza por un mejor futuro.

¡Feliz Kwanzaa!

Maritza Martínez Mejía

Mother, Author, Educator and Translator

Member ANLMI, FWA,SFWA, SCBWI, MCBD Board of Advisors 
FREE Reading Activities visit: www.luzdelmes.com

Recipient of  Crystal Apple 2006, VCB Poetry 2015, Latino Book Awards 2016, Author’s Talk 2017, SOMOS Foundation -Poetry 2018