Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa celebration with its founder, Maulana Karenga, and others
Observed by	African Americans
Type	Cultural and ethnic
Significance	Celebrates Black heritage, unity and culture.
Date	December 26 until January 1
Celebrations	Unity Self-Determination Collective Work and Responsibility Cooperative Economics Purpose Creativity Faith
Related to	Black History Month

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Kwanzaa is a week long celebration held in the United States to honor universal African heritage and culture. People light a kinara (candle holder with seven candles)^[1] and give each other gifts. It takes place from December 26 to January 1 every year. It was created by Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966 - 1967. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa.^[2] The holiday greeting is "Joyous Kwanzaa".^[3][4][5]

1. ↑ ""Why Kwanzaa Video"". Ron Karenga. Archived from the original on 2007-12-30. Retrieved 2010-04-09.
2. ↑ Keith Mayes, cited by Megan K. Scott, "Kwanzaa celebrations continue, but boom is over Archived 2009-12-20 at the Wayback Machine", Buffalo News, 17 December 2009. Retrieved 25 December 2009.
3. ↑ Bush, George W. (2004-12-23). "Presidential Kwanzaa Message, 2004". Office of the Press Secretary. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
4. ↑ "Clinton offers holiday messages". CNN. 1997-12-23. Retrieved 2007-12-24.
5. ↑ Gale, Elaine (1998-12-26). "Appeal of Kwanzaa continues to grow; holidays: today marks start of the seven-day celebration of African culture, which began in Watts 32 years ago and is now observed by millions". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on 2007-12-28. Retrieved 2007-12-24.