kinara
Kwanzaa began in 1966.
It
was started by Dr. Maulana Karenga.
He believed African Americans
needed
a special time to celebrate their heritage.
He needed a name for
this
celebration so he looked at African languages.
He found out that Swahili is a
common language among eastern Africans
and that
one of the words
Kwanza
meant
"first fruits"
He chose the word kwanza for the
celebration.
Then he made up 7 rules or
principals
that he thought people should remember and
he thought of a clever way to
help
people remember his 7 principals too.
He added an extra A to Kwanza
because
KWANZAA
has 7 letters.
TSeven Principles of Kwanzaa
Umoja (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family,
community, and nation.
Kujichaguila (Self Determination)
To create, name and define our lives for
ourselves.
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) -
To build and maintain our community while working
with others to solve problems.
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and
other businesses to profit from them together.
Nia (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building
and developing of our community.
Kuumba (Creativity)
To leave our community for beneficial and more
beautiful than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith)
To believe in our people, teachers, and leaders
and the virtue and victory of our struggle.
Then he designed the kinara
and decided to use black, red and
green candles
because red, black and green are
found in the African flag
He said
The middle and black candle will
stand for African Americans.
The red candles will stand for
past struggles.
The green candles for a happy
future.
So each night from Deceber 26
to
January 1
a candle is lit and the family
comes together and discusses a new principal.
Oftentimes hand made gifts are
given to each other.
Fruits,
corn, a mat, and a unity cup are also used.
It is a special celebration
for
African Americans.
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