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Ottawa Kwanzaa Celebration

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a seven-day holiday celebrated each year from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

Kwanzaa - Swahili for "first fruits" or "first fruits of the harvest" - is a celebration of African-American heritage, community, family, and culture based on the rituals of African harvest festivals.

Kwanzaa is unique because it is a holiday with no religious, political or heroic associations. The holiday is not intended to substitute for Christmas, but rather to provide a time to focus on and celebrate African-American culture and traditions.

The celebration of Kwanzaa centers around seven guiding principles, which are also called Nguzo Saba (en-goo-zoh sah-bah):

  • Unity or Umoja
  • Self-determination or Kujichagulia
  • Collective Work and Responsibility or Ujima
  • Cooperative Economics or Ujamaa
  • Purpose or Nia)
  • Creativity or Kuumba
  • Faith or Imani

    WHO CELEBRATES IT?

    Kwanzaa is celebrated annually by an estimated 18 million people of African descent throughout the United States, Canada, England and the Caribbean.

    HOW DO PEOPLE CELEBRATE IT?

    Kwanzaa is a family affair celebrated through seven days of rituals, dialogue, narratives, poetry, dancing, singing, music, and feasting.

    A greeting often exchanged at Kwanzaa is the Swahili expression "Harambee!" meaning "Let's all pull together."

    Seven basic symbols are used in Kwanzaa celebrations to signify the important values of African-American heritage. These items are arranged at the center of the gathering place:

    Mkeka (m-kay-cah) - A straw mat symbolizing reverence for tradition.
    Mishumaa Saba (mee-shoo-maah sah-bah) - Seven candles representing the seven principles.
    Kinara (kee-nah-rah) - A seven-branched candleholder representing the continent and the people of Africa.
    Mazao (mah-zah-oh) - Fresh fruits and vegetables representing the first of the harvest.
    Muhindi (moo-heen-dee) (also known as Vibunzi) - Ears of corn: one for each child in the family or at least one to represent all children in the community.
    Kikombe Cha Umoja (kee-coam-bay chah-oo-moe-jah) - The communal unity cup, which is used for libations and rituals of the community.
    Zawadi (sah-wah-dee) - Handmade or educational gifts relating to African-American heritage.

    One major ritual of Kwanzaa is lighting a candle each night to symbolize each of the seven principles. From left to right, the Kinara holds three red, one black and three green candles. The green candles represent hope and the continent of Africa (the Motherland), the black candle represents race and unity, and the red ones symbolize blood, the liquid of life.

    During Kwanzaa, friends and family celebrate their African-American heritage by exchanging symbolic, rather than extravagant, gifts. Families share simple dinners and may exchange gifts with an ethnic theme. Gifts are traditionally given on Jan. 1; however, gift-giving may occur at any time during the seven days.

    A lavish feast called Karamu (kah-rah-moo) is enjoyed on the evening of Dec. 31, which in keeping with the theme of black unity, may draw on Caribbean and African cuisine.

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