For the seven nights from December 26th to the 31st, the Kwanzaa celebration commemorates African roots, honors the ancestors and looks to the future in the spirit of unity, dignity and hope.
It's important to set the mood with decorations for your Kwanzaa festivities. Buy beautiful hand-crafted rugs or throws in African patterns, or carved wooden ornaments. It's best to stick to the traditional Kwanzaa colors of red, green and black, perhaps with a rich gold to catch the candlelight.
Seven symbolic items should be placed together as the focal point of the room. A straw mat known as a mkeka represents the foundation of African history and tradition.
On the mkeka, place the seven-branched candle holder known as the kinara. Seven colored candles are placed in the kinara-three red, three green, and a black candle in the center. One candle is lit every night for the duration of the festival, beginning with the central black candle.
Also important is a basket of corn ears, one to symbolize each child of the host family. In a childless household, a single ear of corn should be placed in order to represent the children of the community at large. Another basket should hold fresh produce to represent the fruits of the harvest. In fact, the very word Kwanzaa means "first fruits" in Swahili.
Finally, Kwanzaa gifts for loved ones are placed with the other items. It's traditional for at least one of these gifts to reflect African culture or heritage.
When shopping for Kwanzaa gifts, look for goods with a Fair Trade logo. Purchasing from ethical sources means more revenue for the makers in the developing world, helping them lift themselves out of poverty through commerce and business. What better way to help African communities make a living than by supporting traditional crafts?
One of the guiding principles of Kwanzaa is Kuumba, or creativity, and handmade gifts are a lovely way to celebrate the festival. If you're a keen cook, why not give your loved ones baskets of preserves or other treats? Talented beaders could share handmade jewelry with friends and family, while gardeners could gift friends with houseplants that are sure to brighten up a room.
Kwanzaa can be both a solemn and joyful occasion. After the prayers, reflection on the guiding principles of the festival and the call for unity that traditionally form the beginning of each night of Kwanzaa, it becomes time for a joyous celebration of life and African culture. If you have a musical friend, why not invite them to perform a short program of traditional drumming and song? African dance classes are popular in many cities; learning a few basic steps in advance of the festival could really liven up your celebrations.
The last night of Kwanzaa traditionally sees feasting on the traditional African foods, as well as foods from the Diaspora. Stewed okra, sweet potatoes, black beans and rice are all popular.
 | Kwanzaa, which began in 1966, encourages African-Americans to celebrate their African roots. Celebrated from December 26th through January 1st, this seven-day holiday brings the family and the community together to celebrate seven principles. |
 | The history of Kwanzaa shows that this recently invented holiday observance is deeply rooted in traditional African culture. Although the first Kwanzaa celebration took place in 1966, it has since spread worldwide to African descendants living in many different countries. |
 | Kwanzaa candles are one of the most important symbols in this 20th century non-religious celebration. By lighting the seven candles, Kwanzaa participants remember the principles of the holiday and take time to observe their special meaning. |
Folks are always asking me about Kwanzaa, so here are a few thoughts for each day of this winter holiday. |
As Kwanzaa become more popular, a debate arose as to whether or not people can truly embrace both Kwanzaa and Christmas. While the correct answer lies within the heart and mind of the individual, it's worth taking a look at the arguments surrounding the controversy. |
