The African Chrismas

Kwanzaa is a holiday that is celebrated by some African-Americans in the U.S.A. which lasts for 7 days from Dec. 26 –Jan. 1. It focuses on the values of family, community, responsibility, commerce and self-improvement. This holidays name is from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, which means “first fruits”. A tool that is used in this celebration is the kinara, which represents our ancestry. The color black, red, and green stands for the candles and the 7 principals of the long lasting Christmas and New Years celebration. Each day of the holiday holds different principals. They are unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. The principal of unity stresses the importance of family and community union. The principal of self-determination requires that we find a common interest and make decisions that are in the best interests of our family and community. The principal of collective work and responsibility advice us to look back in our past, see what’s happening now, find a purpose for our future, and find a personal role you play in the world. The principal of cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support. The principal of purpose advise us to set personal goals that benefit the community. Finally the principal of faith focuses on helping us to have confidence in our ability to triumph over struggles. Out of the seven principals I like all of them the most because they all revolve around helping yourself and those around you.