How Kwanzaa Works

The Holiday Feast

Kwanzaa celebration — Friends and family join hands to share Kwanzaa blessings before eating special dishes prepared by Maisie McNaught at her home in Miami Gardens, Florida. John VanBeekum/Miami Herald/MCT via Getty Images

On December 31, observers hold a great feast, or Kwanzaa Karamu. The feast is about more than food -- it also is a forum for cultural expression that includes music, dance and readings.

A typical program for a Kwanzaa Karamu might look something like this:

Kukaribisha (Welcoming) - Introduction and welcome, followed by music, dancing, poetry and other performances
Kuumba (Remembering) - Cultural reflections
Kuchunguza Tena Na Kutoa Ahadi Tena (Reassessment and Recommitment) - A short speech by a guest lecturer
Kushangilla (Rejoicing) - Reading of the libation statement, followed by a communal drink from the Unity Cup and the reading of the names of black ancestors and heroes, followed by a meal
Tamshi la tutaonan (Farewell Statement) - The reading of a farewell statement accompanied by a call for greater unity

The food served during Kwanzaa is a blend of Caribbean, African and South American flavors. Some popular dishes are fried okra, plantains, fried chicken, black bean soup, baked ham and gumbo. A large mat (Mkeka) is placed in the center of the room, and all of the food is prominently displayed on it.

For more information on Kwanzaa and related topics, check out the links below.

Libation Statement

For the Motherland, cradle of civilization.

For the ancestors and their indomitable spirit.

For the elders, from whom we can learn much.

For our youth, who represent the promise for tomorrow.

For our people, the original people.

For our struggle and in remembrance of those who have struggled on our behalf.

For Umoja, the principle of unity, which should guide us in all that we do.

For the creator who provides all things great and small.

Kwanzaa FAQ

What religion is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, so Africans of all faiths join in the festivities.

What is eaten during Kwanzaa?

The Kwanzaa feast is held on the evening of December 31. In the spirit of the holiday, dishes should be inclusive, which means an abundance of veggie options and no prohibited foods that might "exclude" people. The meal features a blend of Caribbean, African, and South American flavors with popular dishes like fried okra, plantains, fried chicken, black bean soup, baked ham, and gumbo served up and shared.

What is celebrated during Kwanzaa?

During Kwanzaa, Africans celebrate family, community, culture, and the bonds that tie them together. They also remember their heritage, give thanks for the good things they have, and rejoice in the goodness of life.

When is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa runs every year from December 26 to January 1 of the next year.

What are the seven principles of Kwanzaa?

The principles are: • Unity (Umoja): Joining together as a family, community, and race • Self-determination (Kujichagulia): Responsibility for one's own future • Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima): Building the community together and solving problems as a group • Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa): Community building and profiting from its own businesses • Purpose (Nia): The goal of working together to build community and further the African culture • Creativity (Kuumba): Using new ideas to create a more beautiful and successful community • Faith (Imani): Honoring African ancestors and traditions, and celebrating past triumphs over adversity

What does Kwanzaa mean?

The word "kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili phrase, "matunda ya kwanza," which translates to "first fruits."

Books

The Children's Book of Kwanzaa: A Guide to Celebrating the Holiday, by Dolores Johnson
Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture, by Maulana Karenga
Kwanzaa Crafts, by Judith Hoffman Corwin
My First Kwanzaa Book, by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate
Seven Candles for Kwanzaa, by Andrea Davis Pinkney
Seven Spools of Thread: A Kwanzaa Story, by Angela Shelf Medearis
The Gifts of Kwanzaa, by Synthia Saint James

Sources

Collier, Aldore. "The Man who Invented Kwanzaa," Ebony, January 1998, pages 116-118.
Copage, Eric V. Kwanzaa: An African-American Celebration of Culture and Cooking. New York, New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc., 1991.
Everything About Kwanza
Harris, Jessica B. A Kwanzaa Keepsake. New York, New York: Fireside, 1995.
Kwanzaa Information Center
The Official Kwanzaa Web Site
Winchester, Faith. African-American Holidays. Mankato, Minnesota: Bridgestone Books, 1996.