Kawanzaa
Kwanzaa is a celebration of life based upon the principals of African culture. Created in 1966 by Dr. Mulana Karenga, the holiday is meant to reinforce connectedness to African cultural identity. Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday without religious ties.

The holiday's origins are in the first harvest celebrations in ancient Africa. The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza”, which means ‘first fruits.' (An extra ‘a' was added to the end of kwanza to make it 7 letters, corresponding to the 7 principles.)

Candles are lit on each day - each day symbolizes one of the NguzoSaba (7 principles), which are communitarian African values:

• Umoja (Unity),
• Kujichagulia (Self-determination),
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility),
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics),
• Nia (Purpose),
• Kuumba (Creativity), and
• Imani (Faith).

Much more information on the holiday can be found on the Official Kwanzaa website.

Kwanzaa recipes

• AllRecipes.com has a section devoted to Kwanzaa and many delicious recipes.
• Holidays on the Net - Holiday recipes for Kwanzaa.
• Better Homes and Gardens - Tasty recipes for your Kwanzaa celebration.

For More Information
For more about the history and traditions of other holidays celebrated during this time of year, please follow the links below.

• Christmas
• Chanukah (a.k.a. Hanukkah)
• Winter Solstice (including Yule and Saturnalia)
• New Year's
• Winter festivals, traditions and holidays - Find out what celebrations occur around the world from All Saint's Day (November 1st) to Twentieth Day and St. Knut's Day in Scandanavia (January 13th).