To begin the celebration of the principle each day, the families start by asking, “Habari gani?” (“What is happening today?”) Whether you already celebrate Kwanzaa or if you are new to the holiday, we would like to share some recommended books that we enjoyed and some Kwanzaa-inspired...
Karenga began to create a celebration that would pay tribute to the values of ancient African cultures and inspire modern day African Americans who were working for progress. An African American & Pan-African Holiday The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which ...
December 25, 2011 ·2 Comments My First Time Celebrating Kwanzaa. An Umoja Experience. A foodie colleague told me the other day she didn’t know “what the hell Kwanzaa is.” Admittedly, I was stunned. Not at the fact that this national and cultural holiday …Continue reading→ ...
Music by Sally K. Albrecht. Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD. A kinara is a candelabra holding seven candles, each representing a day in the festival of Kwanzaa. This original piece by Sally Albrecht evokes images of Africa as it tells the story of Kwanzaa. It
Kwanzaa is celebrated for seven days, with a special principle or belief, such as Unity, celebrated on each day. Many people start the nightly celebrations by asking, "Habari Gani?" That means, "What's the news?" To respond, they answer with the word for the principle of the day. Kwan...
Another highlight was the day 2 field trip toWhitney Plantationwhere we got to experience the powerful workDr. Ibrahima Seckhas poured into that space. The Whitney Plantation experience is about telling the truth about the lives of the enslaved and giving dignity and honor to the lives that bu...
The most joyous and elaborate of Kwanzaa's gatherings takes place on December 31, the 6th day of the holiday period. On that night, a great feast (karamu) is held. Families and friends gather to eat, drink, sing, dance, and read stories and poems celebrating their cultural heritage. Ever...
For President Trump, it’s time to say “happy Kwanzaa.” The president issued a statement Tuesday marking the beginning of the seven-day festival. “Today marks the first day of Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration of African American heritage and culture.
symbolizing the seven principles. On each day the family comes together to light one of the candles in the kinara, or candleholder, and to discuss the principle for the day. On December 31, families join in acommunityfeast called thekaramu. Some participants wear traditional African clothing ...