Happy Kwanzaa!

Kwanzaa is an African American celebration of life from December 26th to January 1st. Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home. Kwanzaa is Swahili for “first fruits”It is a celebration of community, family and culture established as a means to help African Americans to reconnect with their African roots and heritage. The holiday is defined by Nguzo Saba or seven principles. Each principle is celebrated by the lighting of a candle each day. One black, three red and three green candles are used in the celebration. The first principle for December 26th is “umoja”. It means unity in Swahili. “to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.” It is represented by the black candle.