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Drawing from ancient African traditions, Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday which enriched and expands the African tradition by re-affirming the importance of family, community, and culture. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa is celebrated each year from December 26th through January 1st, and is based on the concept of the harvest festival, traditionally practiced throughout Africa. Kwanzaa brings families and communities together to celebrate the fruits of the year’Äôs labors, to give thanks, to evaluate achievements and contributions to the family and community, and to make plans and set goals for the year ahead. The seven principals of Kwanzaa are: Unity, Self-determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.
The candles in the Kwanzaa display are called ’ÄúMishumaa Saba,’Äù and represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa, while the candle holder, called a ’ÄúKinara,’Äù represents African beginnings. The ears of corn, or muhindi, represent the children in the family.
On the last day of Kwanzaa, meaningful gifts, or zawadi, are exchanged to encourage growth and development during the coming year. The straw mat, mkeka, represents the foundations upon which all other traditions rest.
’ÄúBright Nights at Forest Park’Äù was the first lighting display in American to include a Kwanzaa display.
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ADDED: 1998 |
