What is Kwanzaa, when is it celebrated and where is it celebrated? There are many celebrations that take place around Christmas, apart from those known as “traditional”. This is the case of Kwanzaa, a festival that, although born in the United States, honors the African heritage.
Perhaps once you know what Kwanzaa is, you realize that in some way it is a bit similar to when Hanukkah or Hanukkah is celebrated in the Jewish tradition, although in the case of this other festival we have to say that it is associated with culture (not religion) African American.
What is Kwanzaa?
The Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1 and it’s an annual party born in the United States to honor the African heritage in African-American culture.
It’s a party that was conceived in 1966 by one of the leaders of the movement for the rights of African Americans in the United States, Maulana Karenga.
The party lasts seven daysevery year from December 26 to January 1, and the intentions of its founder were to return African-American communities to the cultural roots of the African continent.
History
The activist Maulana Karenga chose the name “Kwanzaa” after being inspired by the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza“, What does it mean ” first fruits of the harvest «. The choice of Swahili, an East African language, was made as a symbol of Pan-Africanism, which is a political movement that advocates the cooperation and unity of all African countries, especially to defend against possible interference from third countries.
Karenga created the Kwanzaa festival to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural heritage and history. joining the meditation, the study of African traditions and knowing the «seven principles of african heritage«, also called Nguzo Saba.
The idea or objective of making this secular party is reunite the African-American community with its original culture. The awakening of culture and keeping alive the link with one’s origins are details of a clear image for Karenga: according to him, before a true revolution in society to bring greater dignity and more rights to the Afro-American community, a revolution is necessary. cultural . Only with this is it possible to clearly define the identities, the objectives and the direction that the community must conscientiously undertake.
The meaning of Kwanzaa, therefore, is not religious and is not intended to contrast with other festivities. (first, of course, Christmas, which is celebrated near Kwanzaa). This contrasts, however, with Karenga’s works of the 1960s and 1970s, in which phrases and thoughts explicitly contrary to Christianity were expressed, presented as the “religion of the whites” and therefore an expression of the predominant culture in America. But when Kwanzaa became more popular and more and more Christians began to participate in the holiday, the narrative surrounding the celebration dissolved all doubts: Kwanzaa was not an invitation to embrace religious alternatives to Christianity; its cultural essence has to push us to reflect on the celebration of universally valid principles for any person and transversal (if desired) to all cultures. This generated a real coexistence of African-Americans and whites both during Kwanzaa and in Western cultural rituals (from Christmas to New Years, for example).
When is Kwanzaa 2020
As we have already pointed out, Kwanzaa is celebrated throughout over 7 days from December 26 to January 1. This year 2020, the celebration will take place between a Saturday (December 26) and the following Friday (January 1).
Those people who celebrate Kwanzaa dedicate those seven days, to light a candle in the kinara, which is the special candlestick used. The first night the central arm of the kinara is lit, and then each night a new candle is lit until the entire seven-candle candlestick is completed.
What is celebrated in Kwanzaa and where is it celebrated?
The festival of Kwanzaa celebrates the seven principles of African cultural heritage that Karenga formulated and described as “the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world”. Each day of the week of celebration is dedicated to commemorating one of these principles. symbolically, the seven principles are represented by as many candles placed in a candlestick with 7 arms. The three candles on the left are red and represent efforts; the three candles on the right are green and represent hope; the one in the center is black and represents the African-American people.
The United States is the country in which Kwanzaa originated and is celebrated. During the 1960s and 1970s, many African-American families celebrated this holiday, which has gradually lost strength among the new generations, although it seems that in recent years there has been a revival of the tradition.
Kwanzaa Rituals
The main ritual of the Kwanzaa celebration is the lighting of the candles that represent those seven basic principles that all African-Americans should know about their culture, based on the «seven principles of african heritage“, What are they:
- December 26: “Umoja” – Unity
- December 27: » Kujichagulia » – Self-determination
- December 28: “Ujima” – Collective work and responsibility
- December 29: » Ujamaa » – Economic Cooperation
- December 30: » Nia » – Objective
- December 31: » Kuumba » – Creativity
- January 1: “Imani” – Faith.
Each one of these seven Principles,remain represented in the seven candles that light up, but also in seven elements that are usually used to celebrate Kwanzaa and that are:
- Mkeka, a straw tablecloth.
- Muhindi, ears of corn for the children of the community or for those who live in your house
- kinara, the chandelier 7 arms
- Mishumaa Saba, 3 red candles, 1 black and 3 green. The red candles represent, as we have already said, the efforts, the green ones represent hope, the black one that you will have to place in the center represents the struggle of African Americans
- Zawadigifts
- Kikombe cha Umoja, a mug that represents the unity of family and community.
- Mazaofruits or vegetables to represent the productivity of the community.
How to perform the Kwanzaa rite
Although the truth is that Kwanzaa rituals are more personal than liturgical, tradition establishes that an individual straw or cloth tablecloth should be placed that represents the historical foundations of the African lineage in the center of the table from the kitchen or living room.
now alone we have to place the symbols of Kwanzaa on our straw tablecloth sticking out the candlestick with the 7 candles (they should not be turned on yet), and next to it the corn on the cob, fruits and/or vegetables, gifts and the cup.
Also other decorations can also be added to taste, being able to decorate your table with pan-African flags or symbols of different African cultures.
While decorating the house and wearing African costumes as well, one must not forget the true purpose of Kwanzaa, which is that the community is at the center of everything.
During the 7 days of celebration people must dedicate themselves to volunteering, meditation and creativity for the good of your community.
Finally, on January 1, the last day of Kwanzaa, gifts are usually exchanged between parents and children. Gifts must be of an educational or artistic nature.
The lighting of the candles
Starting on December 26, each day a candle must be lit from left to right. The red ones are usually lit first and then the green ones. Each candle represents a specific principle. The black candle is always the first.
For each day and for each candle there is a purpose. Thus:
- The December 26 It’s the first day of Kwanzaa, it’s due dedicate the day to family and community after lighting the first candle. Umoja is the principle that helps maintain unity in the family and in the community.
- The December 27 It’s the second day of Kwanzaa, you have to dedicate the day to affirming your thoughts and will in a positive and constructive way. Kujichagulia is the self-determination that allows you to be responsible and speak for yourself.
- The December 28th It’s the third day of Kwanzaa, we have to dedicate the day to the community, doing socially useful work. Ujima is the principle that governs the collective work done to build and maintain a community.
- The December 29 It is the fourth day of Kwanzaa, during the day you must pay special attention to those who may need our support. Ujamaa is economic cooperation, created to support others.
- The December 30 it is the fifth day of Kwanzaa, during the day you should pay special attention to those who may need our help. Nia is the main purpose, the one that allows you to build and develop the community for the good of all.
- The December 31 It is the sixth day of Kwanzaa, a day dedicated to creativity. Kuumba is the creativity that allows you to leave a better community for future generations.
- The January 1 is the seventh and last day of Kwanzaa, during the day you must have more faith in yourself and in the people you love or respect. Imani is the principle that allows you to believe in someone (parents, guides, leaders).