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'''Kwanzaa''' is a holiday celebrated by some ]s in late December, traditionally between ] and ]. Kwanzaa was invented in ] by Dr. ], professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at ], ]. Karenga is an author and activist who stressed the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture. Dr. Karenga is chairperson of the Organization Us, founder of Kwanzaa. '''Kwanzaa''' is a celebration of life and the up life of human beings based on the princibles of African culture. by most ] between ] and ].It is a week long celebration. Kwanzaa was created in ] by Dr. ](ron everett),a professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at ], ]. Karenga is an author and activist who stressed the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote American culture through african rituals. Dr. Karenga is chairperson of the Organization Us, meaning '''US''' african people.


Kwanzaa was established in the midst of the ] or ] of the 1960s (see ]), and reflects that movement's concerns for African-American cultural groundedness in thought and practice (see ']'), and the community and self-determination associated with this. Kwanzaa was established in aftermath of the Watts, California "watts riots".this riot was due to police brutality viewed by citizens. ], ] the 1960s (see ]), and reflects that movement's concerns for African-American cultural groundedness in thought and practice (see ']'), and the community and self-determination associated with this.


Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday but a cultural one, a ] festival, based on various elements of the first harvest celebrations that are widely celebrated in Africa, as in the rest of the world. Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday but a cultural one, a ] festival, based on various elements of the first harvest celebrations that are widely celebrated in Africa, as in the rest of the world.

Revision as of 22:15, 20 October 2004

Kwanzaa is a celebration of life and the up life of human beings based on the princibles of African culture. by most African Americans between December 26 and January 1.It is a week long celebration. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Mulana Karenga(ron everett),a professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Karenga is an author and activist who stressed the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote American culture through african rituals. Dr. Karenga is chairperson of the Organization Us, meaning US african people.

Kwanzaa was established in aftermath of the Watts, California "watts riots".this riot was due to police brutality viewed by citizens. Black Liberation, Black Freedom Movement the 1960s (see Black Power), and reflects that movement's concerns for African-American cultural groundedness in thought and practice (see 'Black Pride'), and the community and self-determination associated with this.

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday but a cultural one, a syncretic festival, based on various elements of the first harvest celebrations that are widely celebrated in Africa, as in the rest of the world.

Each of the days symbolizes one of the "Seven Principles (Nguzu Saba) of Blackness":

  • Umoja (Unity),
  • Kujichagulia (Self-determination),
  • Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility),
  • Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics),
  • Nia (Purpose),
  • Kuumba (Creativity), and
  • Imani (Faith).

Its name derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits". An additional "a" was added to Swahili "kwanza" so that the word would have seven letters, one for each of the seven principles.

External link

Reference

Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, Commemorative Edition, Los Angeles, University of Sankore Press, 1998

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