Do you know what Kwanzaa is? The Christmas story is full of symbolic elements. Some of them are almost universal, such as the assembly of the traditional Christmas tree or the arrival of Santa Claus with gifts for the smallest members of the household. But according to the region and its culture, there may be very different ways to celebrate this date…
Let’s remember that Christmas is a holiday of Catholic origin, in which the birth of the prophet Jesus is celebrated. In this sense, people who live under other beliefs have different festivities. For this reason, today in Supercurioso we want to tell you what Kwanzaa is. Also some of its details, such as the symbolism of the candelabra for the Kwanzaa celebration. Rest assured that it will catch your attention and awaken your curious spirit. Join us!
What is Kwanzaa?
To understand what Kwanzaa is, we must start from colonization and the predominance of the Catholic religion over many other indigenous beliefs and religions. It happened both in Latin America and in the Africa countries… the ideologies and divinities of their cultures were eliminated and supplanted by the norm of Catholicism.
Fortunately, many of these native peoples have managed to rescue and preserve these traditions, combining them with those that prevail in the social norm. When we talk about this festival and its symbols, such as the candlestick for the Kwanzaa celebration, we go deep into the roots of the African-American and Pan-African communities.
The word Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili language and means “first fruits” or “the first fruits”. But what is Kwanzaa specifically? Well, it’s about a celebration that leads north to instill racial pride and the unity of the black community around the world.
And although it specifically develops in this group, it does not exempt other communities from joining, since Kwanzaa opens its doors to all those people who share its values, human beings of good will.
It is celebrated every year, between the 26th of december and the first of January. During these days, the black community is dedicated to reconnecting with its African roots, acknowledging their struggle as a people and the different and very complex historical moments they have gone through, until the achievement of the spaces and rights they have achieved.
1. What does the Kwanzaa celebration consist of?
This party is full of symbols of great value, such as the candlestick for the Kwanzaa celebration. Since its first versions, it has not received structural changes.
Its origin dates back to 1966. Back then, Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of African studies, activist and writer, gave his contribution to his community. He dedicated himself to studying in depth the roots of East Africa and to revisit some of its celebrations in modern times and for different parts of the world.
And this is how this party with global impact was born. To better understand what the Kwanzaa is, it is necessary to know its structure. Families and communities organize various activities, which are based on the seven principles of Nguzo Saba, one for each day of the celebration.
In Nguzo Saba is the backbone of the festival, and is made up of the principles of community life and cultural practices of Africans from the Cape to Cairo. These seven elements are as follows:
- the umojawhich represents the unity of people.
- the Kujichagulia, symbolizing self-determination.
- The Ujima, that tells us about collective work and responsibility.
- the ujamaawhich represents the cooperative economy.
- the girl, the purpose in life and in every action.
- the Kuumba, the incentive to the creativity of being.
- the imaniwhich represents faith.
2. What influence does the chandelier have for the Kwanzaa celebration?
Talking about what the Kwanzaa is is also referring to one of its most symbolic elements, which cannot be missing during these seven days of festivities. This is the candle holder for the celebration of Kwanzaa. This element is also known as Kinara.
What is done is light seven candles, which are placed on this kinara. Three red candles go to the left, three green candles go to the right, and one black candle goes to the center. These are the symbolic colors of Pan-Africanism.
The red color represents the blood spilled by the African peoples, during their years of different struggles. Green represents the abundance of the lands of Africa. And black symbolizes the union of the community. When one talks about what Kwanzaa is, one recognizes a party of blackness, of identity, of recognition of roots, of culture, of the autochthonous and of one’s own.
It calls the attention of this festivity, which is not of a religious or exclusive nature. It has no connection with the Christmas or New Year celebrations. In fact, Many of the people who participate in the Kwanzaa also join in the traditional December festivities.
During these seven days, it is a tradition that traditional dishes are prepared and shared in the community. These include cheese grits, kale, black-eyed peas, and many potato-based dishes.
And you, Did you know what Kwanzaa is? Did you have any idea about the symbolism of the candlestick for the Kwanzaa celebration? Undoubtedly, going back to the roots is essential to build our identity as a society. This festivity, which has a special projection in the United States of America, is a sign that not forgetting where we come from helps build our future.
And if it catches your attention to learn more about the holidays and the symbolism that each one of them has, do not miss the article in which we talk about the meaning of the colors of Christmas. We are in a next super curious article!