"Habari gani? (What's the news?) Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday started in the United States in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Dr. Karenga started Kwanzaa as a holiday for African American people to celebrate and learn about their African customs and history.

Kwanzaa is a Swahili (an East African language) word that means "first fruits of the harvest." Kwanzaa starts on December 26 and lasts for seven days. Each day represents one of the seven reasons or principles of Kwanzaa.

The Seven Principles or Nguzo Saba

• Umoja - unity
• Kujichagulia - self-determination
• Ujima - collective work and responsibility
• Ujamaa - cooperative economics
• Nia - purpose
• Kuumba - creativity
• Imani - faith

Learn more about Kwanzaa at these sites:

Everything About Kwanzaa... from The International Kwanzaa Exchange.

Winter Holidays Home