Created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in the year 1966, Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival that celebrates the African American people, their history as well as their culture. These 7 days include a time of family gathering and celebration. It is on 26th December that Kwanzaa celebrations begin. This carries on until January 1st, New Years Day.

During this festival a member of the family, usually the child who is the youngest lights candles that are placed in a special candleholder. Once this is done, he/she discusses one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. On New Years Eve which is the sixth day of this festival, friends and family get together and enjoy a feast and celebrate the upcoming New Year as well as their culture and history.

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

• Umoja - Which stands for Unity
• Kujichagulia - Which stands for Self-Determination
• Ujima - Which stands for Collective work and responsibility
• Ujamaa - Which stands for Collective economics
• Nia - Which stands for Purpose
• Kuumba - Which stands for Creativity
• Imani - Which stands for Faith

The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa

• Mkeke - The Mat: This mat is woven out of fabric, raffia or paper and is important since the other implements that form an important part of this holiday rests on it.
• Kikombe cha Umoja - The Unity Cup: This symbol represents the unity of the community and represents family life too. During this festival the unity cup is filled with juice, water or wine, a little of which is poured out. This is done as a sign of respect as well as a reminder of the ancestors. The unity cup is then passed on from one person to another with each of the gathered members taking a sip.
• Mazao - The Crops: The crops constitute vegetables and fruits of the harvest. The crops or the Mazao are put on the Mkeka and they are shared and eaten in order to honor the work of the people who toil in the fields to harvest them.
• Kinara - The Candleholder: The Kinara holds the Mishumaa Saba or the seven candles. These seven candles symbolize the Nguzo Saba. The candleholder or Kinara is placed on the Mkeka.
• Mishumaa Saba - The Seven Candles: The seven candles or Mishumaa Saba represent the seven principles of the Nguzo Saba. The candles are green, red and black in color. These colors represent the colors of the African Flag or the Bandera.
• Muhindi - The Corn: This Kwanzaa symbol represents the children of the family. During this festival one Suke (ear) of corn is placed for on the Mkeka for every child in the family. In case the family does not have a child, one Suke is still placed. This symbolizes the children who belong to the community. The Native Americans, who were the first inhabitants of this land are also represented by this symbol. All in all it is used to respect and acknowledge their contribution to the culture of the African Americans.
• Zawadi - Gifts:  This symbol represent the gifts that are given to children in order to make them better people. The gifts include a book, a video or another educational item which will help to educate the child. A heritage symbol should also be added with the other gifts so as to remind the child of the glory of the past as well as the promises the future holds.

The Lighting of the Kinara

• The First Day - On the first day of Kwanzaa the black candle Kwanzaa candle is lit. This candle represents Umoja, which is the first principle of Kwanzaa.
• The Second Day - The black candle is lit again on the second day but along with it the farthest red candle on the left is lit too. This is used to represent the Kujichagulia, which is the second principle of the Kwanzaa.
• The Third Day - On this day the black candle is lit along with the farthest red candle on the left as well as the farthest green candle on the right. This is used to represent the Ujima, which is the third principle of the Kwanzaa.
• The Fourth Day - The black candle is lit on the fourth day along with the red candle on the farthest left and then the green candle on the farthest right. After that the next red candle on the left is lit. This represents Ujamaa, the fourth principle of Kwanzaa.
• The Fifth Day - On this day the black Kwanzaa candle it lit along with the red candle on the farthest left, the green candle on the farthest right, the next red and after that the next green. This represents Nia, the fifth principle of the Kwanzaa.
• The Sixth Day - The black candle is lit on this day along with the farthest left red, the green on the farthest right, the next red, the next green and then finally the red candle. This represents Kuumba, the sixth principle of Kwanzaa.
• The Seventh Day - On this day, the black candle is lit and then the farthest red. After that the farthest right green then the next red candle, the next green, the final red and then the final green. This represents Imani, the seventh principle of Kwanzaa.

On the final day of all the Kwanzaa candles are lit. When the night is over all the members of the family takes one last drink from the unity cup after which the candles are extinguished.

Celebrating Kwanzaa

To celebrate the Kwanzaa holiday you can let your imagination and creativity run wild. First of all you would need to choose an area of your home in which you would like to set up the table or altar. To add to the festivity you can create posters and banners to hang on the walls.

When you are setting up the altar or table, cover the table with a green or black tablecloth. Once that is done place the Mkeka in the center of the table and then add the Kinara that contains the Mishumaa Saba. After that place the Mazao in a bowl or basket and add that on the table too. Also add one ear of Muhindi for each child in the family. Zawadi which is in the form of videos, books or other educational resources also form an important part of the Kwanzaa table. To enhance the display, you can add African sculptures and artwork too! Apart from posters, banners and pictures to enhance the look of the wall behind the table, you can also hang the Bendera, which is the African Flag.