While most of the population is celebrating Christmas, others are celebrating another holiday called Kwanzaa.

On the officialkwanzaawebsite states that this holiday is “an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture.” This holiday is celebrated December 26th to January 1st and it is to celebrate the first harvest in Africa.

This is time for families to bond and be together. It is the celebration of the good life, good family and community and culture. This holiday also celebrates the struggle of Africans and Pan-Africans and then their flourishing branch of life. Kwanzaa is all about history, values, family and community.

This holiday is all about remembering the past and holding the future to the highest regard.

On history.com writes that Kwanzaa has seven principals that they follow for this holiday. During Kwanzaa, they follow and celebrate one principal a day.

The seven principals were created by Dr. Maulana Karegna. These principals can be found on history.com.

Karegna is a professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University. Karegna is also the founder and creator of Kwanzaa in 1966. History.com stated that Karegna took ideas from seven different harvest ceremonies (from the Ashanti and Zulu African tribes) and combined them together to make this holiday that is all about community and togetherness.

It is also to celebrate the past and the overall outcome of African history.

On officalkwanzaawebsite stated that there are seven basic symbols with Kwanzaa: Mazao (the crops), Mkeka (the mat), Kinara (the candle holder), Muhindi (the corn), Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles), Kikombe cha Umoja (the unity cup) and Zawadi (the gifts).

These symbols represent values and concepts in African culture and contributes to community and building the African culture. The symbols are traditionally in Swahili, but they have been translated into other languages.

When celebrating this holiday remember two things: 1) Come to this celebration with respect for it values and 2) Do not mix Kwanzaa with any other holiday. Always go into Kwanzaa with an open mind and friendliness.