In SOUTH AFRICA, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer. Kwanzaa,
celebrated by some African Americans, is a holiday which has gained in popularity in
recent years. It came out of the ‘60s cultural revolution that set off an interest in
African history, music, art and a growing sense of black consciousness.

Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest," is celebrated for seven days from
December 26 through January 1. It is a cultural, rather than religious, holiday.
After a large Christmas lunch, families visit the homes of friends to ask for and
receive a "Christmas box" which usually has food inside.  The modern celebration of
Kwanzaa lasts seven days. Each of the seven days of the celebration is dedicated to
one of the seven principles. Each day one candle is lit that represents each principle.

Day 1 - middle candle - Black - Umoja - Unity - to strive for and maintain unity
in the family, community, nation and race.

Day 2 - innermost red candle - Kujichagulia - Self-determination - to define
ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Day 3 - innermost green candle - Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility -
to build and maintain our community together and make our sister's and
brother's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Day 4 - middle red candle - Ujamaa - Cooperative Economics - to build and
maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses together.

Day 5 - middle green candle - Nia - Purpose - to make our collective vocation
the building of our community to restore our people to their traditional
greatness.

Day 6 - outermost red candle - Kuumba - Creativity - to do as much as we can
to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Day 7 - outermost green candle - Imani - Faith - to believe with our hearts in
our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and
victory of our struggle.
Traditional Kwanzaa feast
• Fried Okra
• Chicken & Sausage Gumbo with Rice
• Collard Greens
• Coconut Biscuits
• Classic Cornbread
• Down Home Sweet Potato Pie
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