By Emma Adkins
As the fall semester winds down, many Americans prepare to celebrate Kwanzaa, a cultural holiday that honors African traditions, community values, and Black heritage. Kwanzaa is observed annually from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, and it is marked by daily reflections, candle lighting, and community gatherings.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of African studies, during a time of social unrest and rising calls for cultural affirmation within the African-American community. Karenga designed the holiday as a way to reconnect African-Americans with their ancestral roots and to promote unity and empowerment following the Watts uprising in Los Angeles.
The celebration is built around the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Each night, families and communities light a candle on a kinara to highlight one principle and reflect on its meaning. Decorative symbols such as crops, a unity cup, and handmade gifts emphasize community building and gratitude.
Although Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, it is widely observed as a cultural celebration that centers on heritage, education, and collective identity. For many who celebrate, Kwanzaa offers a structured way to honor the past while setting intentions for the year ahead.