Kwanzaa: The secular festival that celebrates African-American heritage
The core of any festival is fun, family time, togetherness and celebration of heritage as well as age-long traditions and customs rooted in a particular culture. Kwanzaa, an African-American festival, is no exception. But do you know what’s the chief element of this festival? Seven candles held in a single candle holder. Now, that’s interesting. It holds one black, three red and three green candles. While the black candle symbolises togetherness of people, the green ones represent hope for the future and red candles stand for the struggle of the Africans. Celebrated through seven days from 26th December primarily in the US, Kwanzaa is a tribute to African heritage paid by American families of African descent.
Before delving deep into the custom of seven candles, let’s find out a little more about the name of this festival. Interestingly, the word Kwanzaa is derived from a phrase the Swahili (the native language of a mixed ethnic group including Arabs, sub-Saharan Africans & diverse Berbers) phrase “matunda ya kwanza” that literally translates into “first harvest” or “first fruits.” Maybe that’s why the festival is modelled after native African harvest festivals, even though it’s observed during the winter. In fact, a feast called Karumu is part of Kwanzaa’s harvest traditions, and happens on the sixth day.
But why does Kwanzaa have an extra ‘a’ at the end? Some speculate that this ‘a’ has been added to make it a seven-lettered word which is in sync with its seven-day celebration and the seven principles this festival upholds.
Kwanzaa and the tradition of seven
Turns out that the week-long festival of Kwanzaa revolves around seven principles:
- Umoja (unity)
- Kujichagulia (self-determination)
- Ujima (collective work and responsibility)
- Ujamaa (cooperative economics)
- Nia (purpose)
- Kuumba (creativity)
- Imani (faith)
Throughout the seven days of celebration, African-American families light up a candle every day to recognise these ethos. The candle stand that holds them is known as kinara and is placed on a straw mat called mkeka.
But the association of Kwanzaa with the number seven doesn’t just end here. It has seven symbols as well and all of these are parts of the rituals of this festival. Here’s the list for you.
- Mazao (crops)
- Mkeka (Mat)
- Kinara (Candle Holder)
- Muhindi (Ear of Corn)
- Mishumaa saba (Seven Candles)
- Kikombe cha umoja (Unity cup)
- Zawadi (Gifts)
Kwanzaa: The origin story
If you found this African American festival interesting then you must be keen to know how it began. Well, we have to go back to 1966 to trace its origin. It turns out that Kwanzaa was the brainchild of a person named Dr. Maulana Karenga (born Ronald McKinley Everett) who conceived the idea around it while taking part in the civil rights movement in Los Angeles, USA. It was the aftermath of the Watt Riots, an uprising by the African-American community against police brutality and racism.
Back then, Karenga was a 25-year-old African-American nationalist and civil rights activist who was determined to empower others of his ilk from racial oppression and provide them a common cause for bonding as a community. His aim was to form a holiday (alternative of Christmas) that will celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the Africans.