Religion
Kwanzaa is an African American holiday that celebrated by millions within the African American community. Developed in 1966 during the Black Freedom movement, this holiday is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st. The name is derived from Swahili meaning “first fruits”. First fruits celebrations can date back to ancient Egypt and Nubia, and can also appear in ancient and modern times within the African civilizations. Kwanzaa represents:
During the celebration of Kwanzaa, gifts are usually only given to children. These gifts always include a book and a heritage symbol. The book is to represent valued learning, and the symbol is to reaffirm commitment to tradition and history.
The colors of Kwanzaa are red, black, and green. A mat (or mkeka) is placed down on a table with symbols representing roots of the tradition. The candle holder, or the Kinara, is also placed on the mat. There are seven candles to represent the seven principles, The black candle, placed in the middle, is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa, with the other candles being lit from left to right on the following days. Along with the symbols, mazao, or crops are placed on the mat as well. Lastly, a unity cup is placed on the map in which tambiko is poured in remembrance of ancestors (Karenga, 2008).
- a time of in gathering of the people to reaffirm the bonds between them;
- a time of special reverence for the creator and creation in thanks and respect for the blessings, bountifulness and beauty of creation;
- a time for commemoration of the past in pursuit of its lessons and in honor of its models of human excellence, our ancestors;
- a time of re-commitment to our highest cultural ideals in our ongoing effort to always bring forth the best of African cultural thought and practice; and
- a time for celebration of the Good, the good of life and of existence itself, the good of family, community and culture, the good of the awesome and the ordinary, in a word the good of the divine, natural and social.
During the celebration of Kwanzaa, gifts are usually only given to children. These gifts always include a book and a heritage symbol. The book is to represent valued learning, and the symbol is to reaffirm commitment to tradition and history.
The colors of Kwanzaa are red, black, and green. A mat (or mkeka) is placed down on a table with symbols representing roots of the tradition. The candle holder, or the Kinara, is also placed on the mat. There are seven candles to represent the seven principles, The black candle, placed in the middle, is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa, with the other candles being lit from left to right on the following days. Along with the symbols, mazao, or crops are placed on the mat as well. Lastly, a unity cup is placed on the map in which tambiko is poured in remembrance of ancestors (Karenga, 2008).