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{{short description|African-American holiday created in 1966}}
{{About||the river in Angola|Cuanza River|the currency|Angolan kwanza|the album by Albert Heath|Kwanza (The First)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December
{{Infobox holiday
|image = Kwanzaa Candles-Kinara.svg
|caption = Seven candles in a [[kinara]] symbolize the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
|observedby = [[African Americans]], parts of [[African diaspora]]
|date = December 26 to January 1
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{{African American topics sidebar}}
'''Kwanzaa''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|w|ɑː|n|.|z|ə}}) is an annual celebration of [[African-American culture]] from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called ''Karamu'', usually on the sixth day.<ref name="Why Kwanzaa">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-MY8I_kwJY&list=PLJMZrovNFcP-idSz-hriEx3xaSXWNtpBw&index=1&ab_channel=AHSSociety| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/c-MY8I_kwJY| archive-date=
{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/kwanzaa-history-traditions-information |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417083943/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/kwanzaa-history-traditions-information |url-status=
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==History and etymology==
American [[Black separatism|black separatist]]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wilde |first1=Anna Day |title=7 Mainstreaming Kwanzaa |journal=We Are What We Celebrate |date=December 31, 2020 |pages=120–130 |doi=10.18574/nyu/9780814722916.003.0009|isbn=9780814722916 }}</ref> [[Maulana Karenga]] created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the [[Watts riots]]<ref>Wilde, Anna Day. "Mainstreaming Kwanzaa." Public Interest 119 (1995): 68–80.</ref> as a non-Christian,<ref>{{Citation |last1=Blumenfeld |first1=Warren J. |title=Christian Teachers and Christian Privilege |date=January 1, 2009 |url=https://brill.com/display/book/9789087906788/BP000009.xml |work=Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States |pages=133–149 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |publisher=Brill |language=en |doi=10.1163/9789087906788_009 |isbn=978-90-8790-678-8 |last2=Joshi |first2=Khyati Y. |last3=Fairchild |first3=Ellen E.}}</ref> specifically African-American, [[holiday]].<ref name="Kwanzaa Date">{{cite news |url=https://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F00B1EFD395C0C738FDDAB0994DB484D81 |work=[[The New York Times]] |title=The Evening Hours |date=December 30, 1983 |access-date=December 15, 2006 |first=Ron |last=Alexander}}</ref> Karenga said his goal was to "give black people an alternative to the existing holiday of [[Christmas]] and give black people an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society."<ref>[http://media.www.brookhavencourier.com/media/storage/paper807/news/2008/11/24/News/Kwanzaa.Celebrates.Culture.Principles-3560412.shtml Kwanzaa celebrates culture, principles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708095122/http://media.www.brookhavencourier.com/media/storage/paper807/news/2008/11/24/News/Kwanzaa.Celebrates.Culture.Principles-3560412.shtml |date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref> For Karenga, a figure in the [[Black Power]] movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of such holidays also underscored the essential premise that "you must have a cultural revolution before the violent revolution. The cultural revolution gives identity, purpose, and direction."<ref>{{cite book |first=Keith A. |last=Mayes |year=2009 |title=Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition | pages=63–65 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vhgk72OGBRYC&pg=PA52 |isbn=978-0415998550 |access-date= December 27, 2015}}</ref>
According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the [[Swahili language|Swahili]] phrase ''matunda ya kwanza'', meaning "first fruits".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/spot/kwanzaa1.html |title=Kwanzaa – Honoring the values of ancient African cultures |author=Holly Hartman |publisher=Infoplease.com |access-date=October 25, 2017}}</ref> [[First Fruits (Southern Africa)|First fruits]] festivals exist in Southern Africa
During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said it was meant to be an alternative to [[Christmas]]. He believed [[Mental health of Jesus#Opinions challenging the sanity of Jesus|Jesus was psychotic]] and [[Criticism of Christianity|Christianity was a "White" religion]] that Black people should shun.<ref>Karenga, Maulana (1967). "Religion". In Clyde Halisi, James Mtume. ''The Quotable Karenga''. Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press. pp. 25. 23769.8.</ref> As Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so practicing Christians would not be alienated, stating in the 1997 book ''Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture'' that "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday."<ref>{{cite book | first=Maulana | last=Karenga | title=Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture | page=[https://archive.org/details/kwanzaacelebrati00kare_0/page/121 121] | publisher=University of Sankore Press | year=1997 | isbn=978-0943412214 | url=https://archive.org/details/kwanzaacelebrati00kare_0/page/121 }}</ref> Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/20/garden/in-blacks-homes-the-christmas-and-kwanzaa-spirits-meet.html?pagewanted=all | work=The New York Times | title=In Blacks' Homes, the Christmas and Kwanzaa Spirits Meet | first=Lena | last=Williams | date=December 20, 1990 | access-date=May 7, 2010}}</ref>
After its creation in [[California]], Kwanzaa spread outside the United States.<ref name="Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kwanzaa |title=Kwanzaa – African-American Holiday |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Britannica |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. |access-date=January 6, 2020
==Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)==
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Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or '''''Nguzo Saba''''' (originally '''''Nguzu Saba''''' – the seven principles of African Heritage). They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles are all [[Swahili language|Swahili]] words, and together comprise the ''Kawaida'' or "common" philosophy, a synthesis of nationalist, pan-Africanist, and socialist values.
Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the principles, as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/NguzoSaba.shtml|title=Nguzo Saba|last=Karenga|first=Maulana|date=2008|website=The Official Kwanzaa Web Site|access-date=
# '''''Umoja''''' (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
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Kwanzaa celebratory symbols include a mat (''Mkeka'') on which other symbols are placed:
* a ''[[Kinara]]'' ([[Candlestick|candle holder]] for seven candlesticks<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kinara|title=Definition of KINARA|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en|access-date=
* ''Mishumaa Saba'' (seven candles)
* ''mazao'' (crops)
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==Observances==
[[File:Kwanzaa-Myers.jpg|thumb|left|A woman lighting candles for Kwanzaa.The Black candle in the middle represents unity, the three green
Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art, colorful African cloth such as [[kente]], especially the wearing of [[Wrapper (clothing)|kaftans]] by women, and fresh fruits that represent African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. [[Libations]] are shared, generally with a common chalice, ''Kikombe cha Umoja'', passed around to all celebrants. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa.<ref name=":0" /> "Joyous Kwanzaa" may be used as a greeting during the holiday.<ref name="bush2004">{{cite web
|url = https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041223-2.html
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}}</ref>
A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness, reflection on the [[Pan-African colors]], a discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter in African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performance, and, finally, a feast of faith (Karamu Ya Imani).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=James W. |last2=Johnson |first2=F. Francis |last3=Slaughter |first3=Ronald L. |date=1995 |title=The Nguzo Saba and the Festival of Fruits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l97ZAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Gumbs & Thomas Publishers |page=42 |isbn=9780936073200}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epicurious.com/archive/holidays/kwanzaa/feast|title=A Great Kwanzaa Feast
At first, observers of Kwanzaa avoided the mixing of the holiday or its symbols, values, and practice with other holidays, as doing so would violate the principle of ''kujichagulia'' (self-determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday, which is partially intended as a reclamation of important African values. Today, some African American families celebrate Kwanzaa along with [[Christmas]] and [[New Year]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/kwanzaa |title=Kwanzaa (until Jan 1) in the United States |website=Timeanddate.com |access-date=December 27, 2016}}</ref>
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=== Karamu ===
A Karamu Ya Imani (''Feast of Faith'') is a feast that typically takes place on December 31, the sixth day of the Kwanzaa period. The Karamu feast was developed in [[Chicago]] during a 1971 citywide movement of Pan-African organizations. It was proposed by Hannibal Afrik of Shule ya Watoto as a communitywide promotional and educational campaign. The initial Karamu Ya Imani occurred on January 1, 1973, at a 200-person gathering at the Ridgeland club.<ref name="Joseph">{{cite book |last=Mayes |first=Keith |title=The Black Power Movement: Rethinking the Civil Rights-Black Power Era |publisher=Taylor & Francis Group |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-415-94596-7 |editor=Peniel Joseph |editor-link=Peniel E. Joseph |pages=244–245}}</ref>
In 1992, the [[National Black United Front]] of Chicago held one of the largest Karamu Ya Imani celebrations in the country. It included dancing, a youth ensemble and a keynote speech by NBUF and prominent black nationalist leader [[Conrad Worrill]].<ref name="McFarland">{{cite news |last=McFarland |first=Melanie |date=December 25, 1992 |title=Kwanzaa Is A Time Of Reflection
The celebration includes the following practices:
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==Adherence==
The popularity of celebration of Kwanzaa has declined with the waning of the popularity of the [[black separatist]] movement.<ref>{{cite book | last = Stanley | first = Sharon | title = An impossible dream? : racial integration in the United States | publisher = Oxford University Press | location = New York | year = 2017 | isbn = 978-0190639976 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Hall | first = Raymond | title = Black separatism and social reality : rhetoric and reason | publisher = Pergamon Press | location = New York | year = 1977 | isbn = 9780080195100 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Dattel |first=Gene |title=Separatism vs. Integration: Can Separate Ever Be Equal? |journal=Academic Questions |volume=32 |issue=4 |year=2019 |pages=476–486|doi=10.1007/s12129-019-09822-4 |doi-broken-date=January 31, 2024 |s2cid=214460772 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2012/12/28/168202864/is-kwanzaa-still-a-thing|title=Is Kwanzaa Still A Thing?|website=NPR}}</ref> Kwanzaa observation has declined in both community and commercial contexts.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theledger.com/news/20161225/polk-events-celebrate-values-of-african-culture|title=Polk events celebrate values of African culture|first=Madison|last=Fantozzi|website=The Ledger}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2013/01/01/168388526/significances-of-kwanzaa-changes-over-the-years|title=Significance Of Kwanzaa Changes Over The Years|website=NPR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/2013/01/07/168644973/gaining-or-losing-credibility-by-humanizing-a-reporter-a-kwanzaa-story|title=Gaining Or Losing Credibility By Humanizing A Reporter: A Kwanzaa Story|newspaper=NPR|date=January 7, 2013|last1=Schumacher-Matos|first1=Edward}}</ref> [[University of Minnesota]] Professor [[Keith Mayes]] did not report exact figures, noting that it is also difficult to determine these for the three other main African-American holidays, which he names as [[Martin Luther King Jr. Day]], [[Malcolm X Day]], and [[Juneteenth]].<ref>{{cite book |author-link=Keith Mayes | last = Mayes | first = Keith | title = Kwanzaa : black power and the making of the African-American holiday tradition | publisher = Routledge | location = New York | year = 2009 | isbn = 9780415998550 | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/kwanzaablackpowe00maye | pages=210,274 }}</ref> Mayes added that [[White Americans|white]] institutions now also celebrate it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/12/kwanzaa_celebrations_continue.html|title=Kwanzaa celebrations continue, but boom is over, popularity fading|last=Scott|first=Megan K.|date=December 17, 2009|work=The Plain Dealer|access-date=December 24, 2017|agency=Associated Press|language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Kwanza-RonKarenga.jpg|thumb|A 2003 Kwanzaa celebration with Kwanzaa founder [[Maulana Karenga]] at the center, and others]]
In a 2019
Starting in the 1990s, the holiday became increasingly commercialized, with the first [[Hallmark Cards|Hallmark card]] being sold in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/20/nyregion/the-marketing-of-kwanzaa-black-american-holiday-earns-dollars-causing-concern.html|title=The Marketing of Kwanzaa; Black American Holiday Earns Dollars, Causing Concern|last=Martin|first=Douglas|date=December 20, 1993|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 24, 2017|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Some have expressed concern about this potentially damaging the holiday's values.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/commercialized-kwanzaa-worries-enthusiasts/article_5514246b-bfd0-575f-9937-f2c004850b63.html|title=Commercialized Kwanzaa worries enthusiasts|work=The Billings Gazette|access-date=December 24, 2017|language=en}}</ref>
==Recognition==
The first Kwanzaa stamp, designed by [[Synthia Saint James]], was issued by the [[United States Post Office]] in 1997, and in the same year [[Bill Clinton]] gave the first presidential declaration marking the holiday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=53734|title=William J. Clinton: Message on the Observance of Kwanzaa, 1997|website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu|access-date=
[[Maya Angelou]] narrated a 2008 [[documentary film]] about Kwanzaa, ''[[The Black Candle]]'', written and directed by [[M. K. Asante]] and featuring [[Chuck D]].<ref name=Asante>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=98278817 |title=Kwanzaa Celebration Captured In 'Black Candle' |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 15, 2008 |publisher=[[National Public Radio]]}}</ref><ref name=Essence>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.essence.com/2009/12/26/chuck-d-and-maya-angelou-in-kwanzaa-docu |title=Chuck D and Maya Angelou in Kwanzaa Documentary |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 18, 2009 |magazine=[[Essence (magazine)|Essence]]}}</ref>
==Practice outside the United States==
Other countries that celebrate Kwanzaa include
In Canada it is celebrated in provinces including [[Saskatchewan]]<ref name="CBC 2019">{{cite web | title=Sask. African Canadian Heritage Museum celebrates Kwanzaa in Regina
==See also==
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{{Sister project links |wikt=Kwanzaa |commons=Kwanzaa |commonscat=yes |n=no |q=Kwanzaa |s=no |b=no |v=no |d=Q746851}}
* {{Official website|http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/}}
*
* [http://www.africanholocaust.net/news_ah/kwanzaa.html Why Kwanzaa was created by Karenga] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230082328/http://www.africanholocaust.net/news_ah/kwanzaa.html |date=December 30, 2007 }}
* [http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history The History Channel: Kwanzaa]
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