Kwanzaa Starts Today

Just FYI

hursday is the first day of Kwanzaa.

The week-long, non-religious holiday was first observed in 1966. It celebrates African-American cultures and traditions.

For seven days, Kwanzaa calls on all of us to focus on seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

Kwanzaa runs through January first.

Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Inspired by the harvest festivals in Africa, Karenga sought to re-create a similar festival in America. He called it Kwanzaa, derived from the Kiswahili (Swahili) phrase, "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits" and the first celebration occured on December 26, 1966. It is believed that this timing was selected to avoid the commercial shopping period, but to take advantage of the vibrant holiday spirit.