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Kwanzaa
A week-long celebration honoring African heritage and community values.
December 26, 7 days
Why It Matters
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga as a celebration of African-American culture rooted in African harvest festival traditions. Each of the seven days honors one of the Nguzo Saba, seven core principles: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, and Faith.
How It Is Observed
Lighting the kinara (7-branch candelabra), one candle per day for each principle, family gatherings, storytelling, African drumming and dance, communal meals, reflection on the seven principles (Nguzo Saba).
Sacred Text
“I am, because we are; and since we are, therefore I am.”
, Ubuntu philosophy, as expressed by John S. Mbiti, African Religions and Philosophy (1969) ↗