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Joyous Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues for 7 days, ending on January 1st. Although Kwanzaa is a celebration of African heritage, people of any culture or race can participate in the celebration. Swahili is the language used in Kwanzaa celebrations. Below, you’ll find the Swahili words for parts of Kwanzaa along with the English words. Kwanzaa celebrates seven principles—one for each day. The seven principles are

1. Umoja – Unity
2. Kujichagulia – Self-determination
3. Ujima – Working and holding responsibility together
4. Ujamaa – Economic cooperation
5. Nia – Purpose
6. Kuumba – Creativity
7. Imani – Faith

Families celebrating Kwanzaa may decorate their homes with traditional African art and wear traditional African dress. They also light the Kinara, a candle holder for seven candles, which is a symbol for African roots. Three of the candles are red (for noble African blood), three are green (for African crops), and one is black (for African skin color). In addition to the Kinara, there are six more symbols of Kwanzaa, including

1. Mazao (crops) – a symbol of African harvest celebrations and working together
2. Mkeka (the mat) – symbolic of African history, and the foundation for the future
3. Muhindi (the corn) – symbolic of children and the future
4. Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles) -  symbolic of the seven principles
5. Kikombe cha Umoja (the unity cup) – symbolic of unity
6. Zawadi (the gifts) – symbolic of the love parents have for their children. The gifts usually include a book to honor the African tradition of learning and another gift that reflects African heritage.

Christians and Jews who celebrate Kwanzaa also celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah. Do you celebrate Kwanzaa? How do you celebrate your heritage? Leave a comment to let us know!

Love,

Luna

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