What does kwanzaa stand for

Kwanzaa, which is observed from December 26 through January 1, is a seven-day celebration of African roots, observed by people of all faith backgrounds, since it's not tied to any religion.

Instead, the African American and Pan African holiday is anchored by seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba which aims to inspire Black people to be united, self-determined, accountable for their communities, financially invested in Black-owned businesses, purposeful with their lives, creative and full of faith. Adam Clark, an associate professor of theology at Xavier University.

Read on to learn more about the principles of Kwanzaa, the meaning of the holiday, the symbolic colors of the candles used, and how you can engage in the traditions. Born out of the Black Power Movement of the s, and founded in in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa was formed as a way to empower people to rediscover their African heritage and concretize the expression of the Nguzo Saba.

This is a value system organized by seven key principles. The concepts and symbols of Kwanzaa derive from traditions and practices found throughout Africa and the African diaspora, says Navies. She adds that the language used is Kiswahili, the common tongue of the Great Lakes region of East Africa, and one of the most widely-spoken languages in Africa.

The primary symbols of Kwanzaa are the seven candles Mishumaa Sabaa , which represent the seven principles more on that below , the candle holder Kinara , unity cup Kikombe cha Umoja , placemat Mkeka , crops Mazao , corn Muhindi , and gifts Zawadi.

All items are displayed on the Mkeka. This serves as a reminder of how African heritage is built upon tradition. On day one, the black candle—also known as the unity candle—is lit.

It's a seven-day non-religious holiday observed in the US, meant to honor African Americans' ancestral roots. The celebration lasts until January 1. The name comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits. Created in by Maulana Karenga, a black nationalist and professor of Pan-African studies at California State University at Long Beach, Kwanzaa became popular in the s and s in tandem with the black power movement -- making up the trio of winter holidays along with Hanukkah and Christmas.

The holiday is defined by Nguzo Saba, or the seven principles. Each day of the festival is dedicated to a specific principle, marked by lighting a new candle on the kinara, a seven-branched candelabra. Read More. Even though Kwanzaa isn't as widely celebrated as it used to be, its seven principles still hold true for some.

The kinara and the candles it holds are two of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa, which also include a sampling of crops fruits and vegetables , ears of corn, gifts, a ceremonial cup kikombe cha umoja , and a mat on which all of these items are usually displayed during the holiday. Celebrations of Kwanzaa vary, but they often include family gatherings, music, and storytelling. A feast karamu is held on December In the U.

Although it occurs around other religious wintertime holidays, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, though some may observe it as a spiritual one. Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa also celebrate other holidays that fall around the same time, including Christmas. Example: Every Kwanzaa, my grandmother tells the story of our ancestors and our homeland in Nigeria. Kwanzaa was created in the s by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African American scholar and activist. The seven letters of the word also echo the significance of the number seven in Kwanzaa seven days, seven principles, seven candles, and seven symbols.

Kwanzaa combines elements from several traditional African harvest celebrations, and the basis of its name reflects these roots. These elements and the values that Kwanzaa celebrates were intended to strengthen the community bonds of African Americans, especially in relation to the struggle for self-determination, equality, and justice.

The holiday was conceived as a way to focus on Black culture in contrast to holidays celebrated by the dominant white culture in the U.