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Holidays and Observances - How Old Is Kwanza?

How old is Kwanza?

In the United States, Kwanza (also spelled Kwanzaa) began in 1966 when Maulana Karenga (1941– ), an African American college professor in California, decided that African Americans should have a special time to celebrate their culture and community. Although there is no equivalent festival in Africa, Kwanza comes from Swahili (an African language spoken in East Africa) and means "fruits of the harvest." Each year when the week-long Kwanza begins on December 26, more than 10,000,000 African Americans focus on seven principles: unity, self-determination, working together, sharing, purpose, creativity, and faith. Many celebrate with special family activities in their homes and other events with the community.

Further Information: Copage, Eric V. Kwanzaa: An African-American Celebration of Culture and Cooking. New York: William Morrow, 1991; Hoyt-Goldsmith, Diane. Celebrating Kwanzaa. New...

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