The 7 Principles Of Kwanza Begins Today

Read Time:1 Minute, 43 Second

Now with Christmas 2022 behinds, the celebration continues for those who don’t celebrate the holiday, but instead they celebrate Kwanza. To some, the word Kwanza is a foreign language that they’ve never heard of before. Some have heard of Kwanza, but don’t really know what it means or what it is about.

What Is The Meaning Of Kwanza?

Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday that was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach. It is based on traditional African harvest festivals and was designed as a way for African Americans to celebrate their cultural heritage and to reaffirm their commitments to their communities.

The name “Kwanzaa” comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.” It is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st and is marked by the lighting of a kinara (candle holder) with seven candles, one for each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

Today starts with Umoja (Unity) – This day is dedicated to the principle of unity and is meant to celebrate the bonds that bring people together as a community.

Kwanzaa was created during a time of great social and political turmoil in the United States, as the civil rights movement was gaining momentum and African Americans were fighting for their rights and for social justice. It was intended to be a way for African Americans to celebrate their culture and to strengthen their communities in the face of these challenges. Today, Kwanzaa is celebrated by people of all races and backgrounds as a way to honor African American heritage and to promote unity, self-determination, and community engagement.

Here in Gwinnett County we have many different cultures, that’s why it is important for us to celebrate each other and learn more about our cultures. The more we know and understand about our neighbor, the stronger our community will become.