Kwanzaa

A joyful celebration of African and African American cultural heritage and togetherness • Dec 26

Kwanzaa traditions

  • Light a Kinara for Seven Nights

    Seven colored candles are placed in a kinara (candle holder). The candle in the center is black, symbolizing the people; the three to left are red, symbolizing the struggle; and the three to the right are green, symbolizing the future.

  • Giving homemade gifts

    On the seventh day of Kwanzaa, families and friends exchange gifts. These gifts tend to be homemade or have an educational emphasis. Items like books, art, music are exchanged in the hope they will encourage growth in the person receiving them.

  • Celebrate the Karamu Feast

    A feast is held on Dec 31st, includes traditional African dishes as well as those with ingredients brought to the US by Africans, such as sesame seeds, peanuts, sweet potatoes, collard greens, and spicy sauces. Celebrations include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling and poetry reading.

Do it yourself activities