This article was not written by a Peace Corps Thailand volunteer currently serving in country.
“We gather ‘round today to reflect upon our past; we’ve come so far.
Remembering all of those that came before us on Kwanzaa.
From Rosa to Malcolm, to Dr. King and Turner, from Du Bois to Yaa Asantewaa.
We honor you on Kwanzaa…”
-“A Kwanzaa Song” by Lovely Hoffman
Shanee Galloway, Education 23-25, Peace Corps Ghana
December is a time when people celebrate various holidays with family and friends that reflect their religious and cultural values. Kwanzaa is one such holiday celebrated by African Americans that promotes unity, a rich culture and community building. It is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st with each day reflecting on one of the Seven Principles, or Nguzo Saba, of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa celebrations can involve festivals, storytelling, music, dance, communal meals, and the sharing of educational or culturally significant gifts.
Red for The Blood, black for The People, and green for The Land
Kwanzaa was created by African American professor, scholar and activist, Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. The holiday’s name was derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits.” Kwanzaa emerged during the 1960s: a time when the African American community suffered many social and political injustices during the Black Power and Civil Rights movements. It was a turbulent time that left African Americans in need of strengthening community bonds and with a desire to celebrate their African heritage. Dr. Maulana took inspiration from the harvest festivals and customs of different African countries to create this uniquely African American holiday.
Kwanzaa encourages the reaffirmation of cultural identity, promotion of community values and the reflection on ways to contribute positively to society. The use of Swahili (a Bantu language) of East Africa was chosen due to its wide-spread use in more than ten countries within East Africa including: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda. Kwanzaa also features three specific colors when decorating and using the kinara; red which represents the blood of those who have sacrificed for us, black for the people, and green for the motherland of Africa.
“Night by night we light a candle to reflect on what it means to love…”
Central to the celebration of Kwanzaa is the kinara (candle holder) and mishumaa saba (seven candles). The kinara has seven branches, one for each principle; each night, one candle is lit and placed in the kinara. There are three red candles, one black candle, and three green candles. The black candle is lit first and placed in the center of the kinara; this candle represents Umoja (unity). On each successive night, one candle is lit starting from the left-most red candle and ending with the right-most green candle. The first night of Kwanzaa we focus on the principle of Umoja (unity). Then we acknowledge Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the reflection on one of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) in the form of discussions, storytelling, or other activities that embody the respective principle. Other traditions for Kwanzaa include using Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup) to pour libations of water or alcohol to the ancestors, displays of Mazao (crops) to represent the harvest, Zawadi (gifts) exchanged on the last day of Kwanzaa to encourage growth and success, Karamu (feast) on December 31st shared amongst families and communities accompanied by music, singing and dancing. African-inspired artwork, textiles and symbols are used to decorate spaces, and often, communities will organize public events including performances, workshops and artisan fairs.
Habari Gani?
As an African American, elementary school Special Education teacher, I have always taught my students about Kwanzaa during our winter holiday unit. We greet others with the phrase, “Habari Gani?” (What’s the news?) and await the response of the principle of the day (i.e. Umoja, Nia, etc). We make construction paper kinaras and label each candle in the order they would be lit each night. I play different Kwanzaa songs (check out my Kwanzaa playlist on Spotify: This is Kwanzaa) as I teach my students how to play Oware (as it is called here in Ghana) or Mancala (as it is commonly called in the States). On the last day of the unit, we weave paper placemats with red, black and green construction paper and make traditional foods to represent the harvest and to bring luck in the coming year. These foods include black-eyed peas, rice, collard greens, and cornbread. To draw a close to our Kwanzaa celebration, we exchange gifts of books or artwork/crafts with each other and thank one another for a wonderful celebration.
I wish I had grown up celebrating Kwanzaa when I was a child. As an adult, I find significant value in the history of Kwanzaa and the need for more unity in the world and within the African American community. As a Peace Corps volunteer serving in Ghana, I have seen and heard so many things from my childhood that I never knew had any connection to Ghana or Africa. So much of African American heritage is ensconced in the deep roots of African culture and traditions. Dr. Maulana created a wonderful and festive way for African Americans to get back to their roots and reflect on self and community. I hope that, in the future, Kwanzaa’s flame will be rekindled and the holiday will be appreciated and more widely celebrated.
Sticky Rice 