Kwanzaa: Family, Community, Culture

Kwanzaa takes place over seven days from December 26 to January  1, bringing together family, community and culture.

Each year, millions of African-Americans gather with friends and family throughout Kwanzaa week to honor the Pan-African holiday’s seven founding principles: unity (Umoja), self-determination (Kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (Ujima), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), purpose (Nia), creativity (Kuumba) and faith (Imani). Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the focus of one of these seven principles, collectively known as the Nguzo Saba.

For some, a discussion about the role of that day’s principle in everyday life is an important part of observing the holiday. Children often receive gifts  (zawadi), such as books and heritage symbols, from parents and loved ones to reaffirm the value of knowledge in many African cultures. Those present often share in a feast that honors their common heritage, celebrates community and reaffirms African-American culture.

The stamp art depicts a man, woman and child adorned in a mixture of western and traditional clothing, paying tribute to the holiday’s focus on the contemporary African-American experience while also drawing on African roots. The family is gathered around a kinara (candleholder), the warm light from the seven candles (mishumaa saba) illuminating their faces. Several other important Kwanzaa symbols sit on the table — a few ears of corn (muhindi) and various fruits and vegetables (mazao); the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup); and the mkeka, a straw mat on top of which everything is placed.