Kwanzaa is non-religious holiday, nor political, despite some misconceptions, it is not a substitute for Christmas.

The 1950's and 1960's were  very hard times for African Americans. This was  the time when many African Americans sought the changes that would bring them true civil, social, economic, intellectual, and personal equality and freedom.

In the ashes of the Watts riot, Dr. Manulana Kargenga was interested in fostering these changes and in helping other African Americans to experience this revolution. Dr. Karenga, a professor of Black Studies at California State University, devised the celebration called Kwanzaa. It was created as a way of injecting  pride and cultural identity into the greater African American community.

While Kwanzaa would be a way for African Americans to create their own customs, Dr. Karenga looked to African culture and Afro American history for the tools and materials to create a basis or this celebration. He choose Swahili, an East African language not tied to any specific tribe or ethnic group, as the means of expressing the ideals, rites and symbols for this new holiday. He choose the African custom of celebrating the "first fruits of the harvest" or Kwanzaa" on which to base the new festival.

Many people have asked about the extra "a" in Kwanzaa. The extra "a" was legend to have been added during a pageant celebration during one of the first Kwanzaa celebrations.  It is said that seven children were on stage. Six of the seven children each held a  letter from the word Kwanzaa. When it was noticed that the seventh child did not have a letter, the extra "a" was added. Today this extra "a" helps to distinctly identify this African American Holiday.

Since it's founding in 1966, Kwanzaa has gained tremendous acceptance. It is now observed by more than 15 million people worldwide, annually.  The  celebration of Kwanzaa occurs annually from December 26th to January 1st. Even though many religious holidays, take place during this time, Kwanzaa can be jointly celebrated with any or all of these year end celebrations.

The focus of Kwanzaa is centers around seven principles (Nguzo Saba) with particular emphasis on the unity of our Black families. It is a time for gathering of our families and for rededication to manifesting the principles of Kwanzaa as a way of life for Black Americans.

Finally, the concept of Kwanzaa, the African American holiday, is to help Black Americans relate to the past in order to understand the present and deal with the future.

The Seven Principles

Special thanks to Everything about Kwanzaa,  MelaNet, & Kwanzaa House