Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga and was heavily inspired by various African traditions. Not the least of those traditions is First Fruit, an African practice of offering the first fruit of a harvest to the heavens as thanks. First Fruit is also the translation of the word Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa doesn’t require a specific religious faith or ethnic background to be celebrated. Anyone can celebrate Kwanzaa, provided they do it correctly. Kwanzaa requires seven days, a Kinara, which is an ornate candle holder with room for exactly seven candles, and knowledge of Kwanzaa principles. Kwanzaa lasts for seven days, beginning on December 26th and ending on January 1st. Each night, practitioners light a candle as a representation of Kwanzaa Principles.
They are as follows.
Umoja - Unity: Umoja, in the context of Kwanzaa, means to strive for unity between friends, families, and the country as a whole. This principle may take the form of leaving one’s comfort zone to better understand the plights and viewpoints of others.
Kujichagulia - Self-determination: Pronounced Koo-gi-chag-go-lee-uh, it represents self-determination. This principle urges one to make plans and follow through on their goals.
Ujima - Collective work and responsibility: Ujima is a principle that we connect with deeply. It highlights the importance of communities working together to solve problems, better themselves, and improve quality of living.
Ujamaa - Cooperative economics: Ujamaa is essentially the “Value of a Dollar” concept. The more money that circulates within a community, the better. With that in mind, Ujamaa is about supporting local businesses as a way of helping your community thrive.
Nia - Purpose: As a Kwanzaa principle, Purpose means to always have the goal of supporting and bettering yourself and your community in mind.
Kuumba - Creativity: Creativity, in this case, means taking pride in the beauty of your community and taking steps to maintain said beauty. This principle includes participating in a community clean-up program, caring for community gardens, and prioritizing community art installations when possible.
Imani - Faith: The final principle is faith. Kwanzaa celebrators must have faith that by following the aforementioned principles and making small positive changes in their community, they will improve their lives and those around them.
The principles of Kwanzaa are referred to by their original Swahili words, I.E., Imani, as opposed to faith. That said, Kwanzaa itself is a distinctly American holiday. It’s open to anyone who can find value in its principles and those who prioritize positive growth in their communities.