When is kwanzaa celebrated each year

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Log in Sign up. Heri Za Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa, celebrated from December 26 to January 1, is an African American and pan-African seven-day cultural holiday that celebrates family and community. During the holiday, families celebrate with feasts, music, and dance, and end the holiday with a day dedicated to reflection and recommitment to the seven principles.

Kwanzaa timeline. Public Policy Polling finds that Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that celebrates culture, life, and unity, introduced by Dr. Maulana Karenga in What are the seven principles of Kwanzaa? The seven principles of Kwanzaa are Umoja unity , Kujichagulia self-determination , Ujima collective work and responsibility , Ujamaa cooperative economics , Nia purpose , Kuumba creativity , and Imani faith. What are Kwanzaa traditions? Some Kwanzaa traditions include wearing traditional African clothing, letting a child light the candle for each of the seven days, and decorating your home with the symbols of Kwanzaa.

How to Observe Kwanzaa Get in the spirit with African decor No holiday is complete without decorations! Learn some Swahili Swahili is a language spoken throughout Africa and therefore unites all who celebrate Kwanzaa. Pick up a drum Many families celebrate Kwanzaa by playing music and singing cultural African or African-American songs.

It has grown in popularity Kwanzaa lasts for seven days and since its inception in , the holiday has grown in impact within the African American community and is recognized as an official holiday — other countries, like Canada, Jamaica, and Brazil, have gained interest in Kwanzaa but don't celebrate it to the extent as America does.

The colors of Kwanzaa The colors of Kwanzaa are black for the people, red for the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, and green for the rich land of Africa. Nia: Purpose - To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Kuumba: Creativity - To always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani: Faith - To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. Mazao: Crops - Mazao symbolizes the fruits of collective planning and work, and the resulting joy, sharing, unity and thanksgiving part of African harvest festivals. To demonstrate mazao, people place nuts, fruits, and vegetables, representing work, on the mkeka. Mkeka: Place Mat - Just as the crops stand on the mkeka, the present day stands on the past.

The mkeka symbolizes the historical and traditional foundation for people to stand on and build their lives. Muhindi: Ear of Corn - The stalk of corn represents fertility and the idea that through children, the future hopes of the family are brought to life. One vibunzi is placed on the mat for every child in the family. There are three red candles, three green candles, and one black candle that are placed on the kinara.

Kinara: The Candleholder - The kinara represents our ancestry, and the original stalk from which we came. Every family member and guest will take a drink together as a sign of unity and remembrance.

Zawadi: Gifts - On the seventh day of Kwanzaa, gifts are given to encourage growth, achievement, and success. Handmade gifts are encouraged to promote self-determination, purpose, and creativity. America is a diverse country, full of cultural traditions. If you really want to experience the USA, consider applying to an American internship to see the country while simultaneously furthering your career!

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