By Ronnie Amey, Arts & Entertainment Editor
Happy Kwannaza, Mariners!
It’s likely you have heard the term Happy Holidays, but what holidays are encapsulated in the phrase? Kwanzaa, a pan-African holiday created in 1966, is observed annually from December 26 through January 1, celebrating African American heritage and community.
Contrary to semi-popular belief, this December holiday doesn’t span over seven days just for extra gift giving. The holiday emphasizes honoring African roots, tradition, and the Nguzo Saba.
The Nguzo Saba are seven principles dedicated to each of the seven days of Kwanzaa for reflecting. The principles include Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
Celebrations of Kwaana primarily involve a daily candle lighting on a Kinara. A Kinara is a seven-pronged candle holder that symbolizes each of the holiday’s seven principles. The three red candles represent struggle, while the three green candles represent the future and hope, and the singular black candle in the middle represents the people of the African community.
Photo sourced from the Official Kwaanza Website
Similar to most well-known holidays, Kwanzaa still places an emphasis on gathering with your community for a large feast called Karamu on the sixth day of Kwanzaa, December 31, and the exchange of zawadi (gifts) on the final day of Kwanzaa.
Different from other popular holidays, Kwanzaa is less mainstream than holidays such as Christmas or Hanukkah, resulting in a lack of consumer culture present in the holiday. Knowing how Kwaanza is celebrated shows why the holiday matters. By understanding and acknowledging the values Kwanzaa promotes, the community can keep Kwanzaa’s core value of unity and culture alive for future generations.
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