what is kwanzaa and why is it celebrated

festival Kwanzaa. Tanzania) word meaning "first.". "[9], According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits of the harvest". 6. Cultural exhibitions include the yearly celebration at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts referred to as the Spirit of Kwanzaa and features songs, poetry, interpretive dance, and African dance.

Akwansosem is an outreach newsletter designed for educators of grades Celebrations for this festival in all countries begin on December 26th and end on January 1st. contributions are 15 September and 15 February. [17], After its initial creation in California, Kwanzaa spread outside the United States. Kwanzaa, write to the University of Sankore Press, 2540 W. 54th St., Los Kinara (candle holder) is believed to represent the ancestral origins, which are the 55 African countries. Mkeka (mat) which represents the base for a community’s self-actualization. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)- To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together. The holiday was created to provide an opportunity for African-Americans to reconnect with their rich African culture and historical legacy, through the unification of reflection and education of African customs and the seven values of African heritage (also known as Nguzo Saba).

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)- To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together. The unity cup (Kkimbe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations to the The word Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase Matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” It is modeled after the first harvest celebration in Africa.

commercialism of Christmas. Mayes added that white institutions now celebrate it. According to Meštrović, post-modernists in modern society may view "real" traditions as racist, sexist or otherwise oppressive, but since living in a world where nothing is true is too terrifying to most people, "nice" and "synthetic" traditions like Kwanzaa have been created to cope with the nihilistic, individualistic modern society. The celebrations are accompanied by greetings such as joyous Kwanzaa or Habari gani? Karenga borrowed the word kwanza, meaning “first,” from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, adding the seventh letter, an extra a, to make the word long enough to accommodate one letter for each of the seven children present at an early celebration. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the principles, which are: 4. It emphasizes the importance of the pan-African family and corresponding social values. Ujamaa (cooperative economics): To create and preserve our own businesses, shops, and stores and to benefit from them together. Gifts (Zawadi) represent commitments of the parents for the children. Agozino, Biko. [4][5] Karenga said his goal was to "give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society. Mzao (crops) which symbolizes the results (fruits) of collective planning and labour. Gifts are exchanged. [36][37][38][39] Kwanzaa observation has declined in both community and commercial contexts. "Mainstreaming Kwanzaa." [33][34][35], The popularity of celebration of Kwanzaa has declined with the waning of the popularity of the black separatist movement. [24], The National Retail Federation has sponsored a marketing survey on winter holidays since 2004, and in 2015 found that 1.9% of those polled planned to celebrate Kwanzaa – about six million people in the United States.

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