The History and Celebration of Kwanzaa

In addition to the 7 Kwanzaa Principles established by Kwanzaa founder Dr. Karenga, there are also the 7 Symbols of Kwanzaa. Each of these symbols represents the values of the African culture and is used to reinforce one's commitment to community, family and unity.

The following symbols are appropriately cited from the officialkwanzaawebsite.org wherein much of Dr. Karenga's beliefs as well as information pertaining to the origin of Kwanzaa emanate.

Note the symbols are written in Swahili and English.

"Mazao or The Crops: These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.


Mkeka or The Mat: This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.


Kinara or The Candle Holder: This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people -- continental Africans.


Muhindi or The Corn: This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.


Mishumaa Saba or The Seven Candles: These are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.


Kikombe cha Umoja or The Unity Cup: This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.


Zawadi or The Gifts: These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children."


In addition, Dr. Karenga has added two additional symbols; one of which is the Bendera or The Flag which consist of the three colors of Organization Us. The colors are red, black and green. The second symbol is the Nguzo Saba Poster which is consistent with the Poster of the Seven Principles.

According to Dr. Karenga, the 7 Kwanzaa Principles were designed to solidify the values of African culture. These principles are based on family, culture and community among all African Americans regardless of their religious affiliations. Known as Nguzo Saba, these principles are the basic foundation upon which all values are reinforced and in which a solid commitment is formed.

In order to appropriately cite these principles, the officialkwanzaawebsite.org describes these 7 Kwanzaa Principles, authored by Maulana Karenga, in this way:

Umoja or Unity: To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Kujichagulia or Self-Determination: To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

Ujima or Collective Work and Responsibility: To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujamaa or Cooperative Economics: To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia or Purpose: To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba or Creativity: To do always as much as we can, in any way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

Imani or Faith: To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness will victory of our struggle.

Note that the 7 Principles incorporate the words first in Swahili and then English.

The 7 Kwanzaa Principles are also known as Kawaida, a term used to define a system of beliefs. Born out of the civil rights movement in the 60's, Dr. Karenga felt there was a need for all African Americans to reconnect with their historical and cultural heritage.

It is also interesting to note that at the time Dr. Karenga established the USO or United Slaves Organization, better known today as Organization Us, there were seven children in this organization. Since each child wanted to represent each letter in Kwanzaa, the additional letter "a" was added at the end to acknowledge their wishes.

Karamu is celebrated on December 31. There is a specific program to be followed to commemorate this occasion as formulated by Dr. Karenga. Whether the celebration is taking place in a family's home or in a larger social setting, the following list of activities is the basic model for this special day.

To begin with, there is the "welcoming" which is composed of an introduction to the upcoming events. Next is the "remembering" in which everyone reflects on their culture. After which there is the "reassessment and recommitment" in which an elder or distinguished member gives a short speech on the tenets of Kwanzaa.

Next is the "rejoicing" followed by the "libation statement" in which a "unity cup" is utilized by passing it around to family and guests; each of whom takes a sip from the cup. Next is the reading of names of ancestors and well-known heroes and heroines, followed by the beating of drums. Finally, the Karamu feast begins encompassing cultural activities and ends with a final goodbye or farewell statement.

The most interesting facet of the Karamu feast is the libation statement. Before the cup is passed around to family and friends; the contents, usually water, is poured in four directions; east, west, north and south. It is a reminder not only to remember past generations but to reflect on future generations as well and their cultural heritage.

It is important to note the words that are spoken during the libation part of the ceremony.

For The Motherland, the 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.

The week of Kwanzaa is based on meaning. Therefore, whether a gift is homemade food, straw mats or books on African culture, the idea is to reinforce one's heritage and to continue the education process that allows children to fully understand the significance of Kwanzaa as a celebration of ancient and historical unity. This will also help children to understand the importance of family, community and pride.

If you have any Kwanzaa recipes of your own that you like to share, please do so. We would love to have them.

Sweet Potato Pie

2 c Sweet potatoes, drained
4 T Margarine, melted
3 Eggs
1 c Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Grated nutmeg
3/4 c Milk
1 tsp Vanilla
1 9" pie shell, baked
1/4 c Chopped pecans

Use a food processor or fork to mash sweet potatoes together with melted margarine. Blend in eggs, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add milk and vanilla. Pour mixture into baked pie shell. Microwave on 70% (medium high) 7 minutes. Sprinkle pecans over surface of pie. Rotating midway through cooking, microwave on 70 % (medium high) 6 to 8 minutes or until center no longer jiggles. If you prefer, you can bake it in the oven at 375 degrees for about 35-45 minutes or until it doesn't jiggle.
Yield: 8 servings

Grandmother's Southern Fried Okra

1 lb Fresh okra, cut 1 inch pieces
1 lg Green tomato, diced
1 med Onion chopped
1 Clove garlic, minced (optional)
1 Jalapeno pepper halved & sliced, remove seeds if too hot
2 Eggs beaten
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black pepper
1/2 c Milk
1 c Cornmeal
1/4 c Vegetable oil

Combine okra, tomato, onion, garlic & jalapeno in large bowl. In separate bowl combine eggs, salt, pepper, milk. Pour egg mix over veggies and toss to thoroughly coat. Gradually add cornmeal until mixture on the okra and at the bottom of the bowl soaked up. Continue to toss till ingredients evenly mixed. Mixture will have a gooey consistency.
Heat oil in 10 inch skillet over med. heat until hot. Oil is ready when dash of cornmeal sizzles.
Spoon mixture evenly in skillet. Reduce heat to med low. Cover and fry till underside golden brown, 10-15 minutes. Then invert on plate and slide other side up into skillet and cook uncovered 5-8 min until golden brown. Remove from skillet to paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot.
Yield: 6 servings

African Vegetarian Stew

4 sm Kohlrabies, peeled and cut into chunks
1/2 c Couscous or Bulgar Wheat
1 lg Onion, chopped
1/4 c Raisins, dark or golden
2 Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
1 tsp Ground Coriander
1/2 tsp Ground Turmeric
2 Zucchini, sliced thick
1/2 tsp Ground Cinnamon
5 Tomatoes, fresh or 16 oz Can Tomatoes
1/2 tsp Ground Ginger
1/4 tsp Ground Cumin
15 oz Can Garbanzo beans
3 c Water

Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.
Note: Serve the couscous separately, if desired. Parsnips may be substituted for the kohlrabi.
Yield: 8 servings
One Serving = Calories: 241 Carbohydrates: 42 Protein: 8 Fat: 2 Sodium: 22 Potassium: 658 Cholesterol: 0
Exchange Value: 2 Bread Exchanges + 2 Vegetable Exchanges
Source: Holiday Cookbook, American Diabetes Association

African Squash And Yams (futari)

1 sm Onion; chopped, pared & cut into 1" pieces
2 tbs Oil
1 c Coconut Milk
1 lb Hubbard squash; pared and cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon
2 medium size Yams or sweet potatoes
1/4 ts Ground cloves

Cook and stir onion in oil in 10-inch skillet over medium heat until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes longer.
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Betty Crocker Regional and International Recipes

African Green Pepper And Spinach

1 med Onion; chopped
1 med Green pepper; chopped
1 tbs Oil
1 med Tomato; chopped
1 lb Fresh spinach; stems removed
3/4 tsp Salt
1/8 tsp Pepper
1/4 c Peanut butter

Cook and stir onion and green pepper in oil in 3 quart saucepan until onion is tender. Add tomato and spinach. Cover and simmer until spinach is tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper and peanut butter. Heat just until hot.
Yield: 4 servings
Betty Crocker Regional and International Recipes