{{short description|Annual African-American celebration}} {{distinguish|Angolan kwanza}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Infobox holiday | image = Kwanzaa Candles-Kinara.svg | caption = Seven candles in a kinara symbolize the seven principles of Kwanzaa. | observedby = African Americans, parts of the African diaspora | date = December 26 to January 1 | celebrations = {{ubl|Unity|Creativity|Faith|Giving gifts}} | type = Cultural and ethnic | significance = Celebrates African heritage, unity, and culture | relatedto = Pan-Africanism | nickname = | holiday_name = }} {{African American topics sidebar}}
'''Kwanzaa''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|k|w|ɑː|n|z|ə}}) is an annual celebration of African-American culture from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called ''Karamu'', usually on the sixth day.<ref name="Why Kwanzaa">{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-MY8I_kwJY&list=PLJMZrovNFcP-idSz-hriEx3xaSXWNtpBw&index=1&ab_channel=AHSSociety| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/c-MY8I_kwJY| archive-date=December 11, 2021 | url-status=live|work=Maulana Karenga|title=Why Kwanzaa Video| date=November 2008|access-date=December 7, 2021}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It was created by activist Maulana Karenga based on Karenga's research of African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West, East, and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. A 2009 estimate placed the number of Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa between 500,000 and 2,000,000.<ref name="Scott2009"/>
==History and etymology== American black separatist<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Wilde |first1=Anna Day |title=7 Mainstreaming Kwanzaa |journal=We Are What We Celebrate |date=December 31, 2020 |pages=120–130 |doi=10.18574/nyu/9780814722916.003.0009|isbn=9780814722916 }}</ref> Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the Watts riots<ref>Wilde, Anna Day. "Mainstreaming Kwanzaa." Public Interest 119 (1995): 68–80.</ref> as a non-Christian,<ref>{{Citation |last1=Blumenfeld |first1=Warren J. |title=Christian Teachers and Christian Privilege |date=January 1, 2009 |url=https://brill.com/display/book/9789087906788/BP000009.xml |work=Investigating Christian Privilege and Religious Oppression in the United States |pages=133–149 |access-date=December 7, 2023 |publisher=Brill |language=en |doi=10.1163/9789087906788_009 |isbn=978-90-8790-678-8 |last2=Joshi |first2=Khyati Y. |last3=Fairchild |first3=Ellen E. |url-access=subscription |archive-date=December 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224190936/https://brill.com/display/book/9789087906788/BP000009.xml |url-status=live }}</ref> specifically African-American holiday.<ref name="Kwanzaa Date">{{cite news |url=https://select.nytimes.com/search/restricted/article?res=F00B1EFD395C0C738FDDAB0994DB484D81 |work=The New York Times |title=The Evening Hours |date=December 30, 1983 |access-date=December 15, 2006 |first=Ron |last=Alexander}}</ref> Karenga said his goal was to "give black people an alternative to the existing holiday of Christmas and give black people an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society."<ref>[http://media.www.brookhavencourier.com/media/storage/paper807/news/2008/11/24/News/Kwanzaa.Celebrates.Culture.Principles-3560412.shtml Kwanzaa celebrates culture, principles] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708095122/http://media.www.brookhavencourier.com/media/storage/paper807/news/2008/11/24/News/Kwanzaa.Celebrates.Culture.Principles-3560412.shtml |date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref> For Karenga, a figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of such holidays also underscored the essential premise that "you must have a cultural revolution before the violent revolution. The cultural revolution gives identity, purpose, and direction."<ref name="Mayes2009">{{Cite book |last=Mayes |first=Keith A. |author-link=Keith Mayes |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Vhgk72OGBRYC&pg=PA52 |title=Kwanzaa: Black Power and the Making of the African-American Holiday Tradition |publisher=Routledge |year=2009 |isbn=978-0415998550 |location=New York |access-date=December 27, 2015}}</ref>{{rp|63–65}}
According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase ''matunda ya kwanza'', meaning "first fruits".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infoplease.com/spot/kwanzaa1.html |title=Kwanzaa – Honoring the values of ancient African cultures |author=Holly Hartman |publisher=Infoplease.com |access-date=October 25, 2017 |archive-date=January 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109171613/http://www.infoplease.com/spot/kwanzaa1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> First fruits festivals exist in Southern Africa and are celebrated in December/January with the southern solstice. Karenga was partly inspired by an account he read of the Zulu festival Umkhosi Wokweshwama.<ref name="Mayes2009" />{{rp|84}} It was decided to spell the holiday's name with an additional "a" so that it would have a symbolic seven letters.<ref name="Mayes2009" />{{rp|228}}
During the early years of Kwanzaa, Karenga said it was meant to be an alternative to Christmas. He believed Jesus was psychotic and Christianity was a "White" religion that Black people should shun.<ref>Karenga, Maulana (1967). "Religion". In Clyde Halisi, James Mtume. ''The Quotable Karenga''. Los Angeles: University of Sankore Press. pp. 25. 23769.8.</ref> As Kwanzaa gained mainstream adherents, Karenga altered his position so practicing Christians would not be alienated, stating in the 1997 book ''Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture'' that "Kwanzaa was not created to give people an alternative to their own religion or religious holiday."<ref>{{cite book | first=Maulana | last=Karenga | title=Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture | page=[https://archive.org/details/kwanzaacelebrati00kare_0/page/121 121] | publisher=University of Sankore Press | year=1997 | isbn=978-0943412214 | url=https://archive.org/details/kwanzaacelebrati00kare_0/page/121 }}</ref> Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/20/garden/in-blacks-homes-the-christmas-and-kwanzaa-spirits-meet.html?pagewanted=all | work=The New York Times | title=In Blacks' Homes, the Christmas and Kwanzaa Spirits Meet | first=Lena | last=Williams | date=December 20, 1990 | access-date=May 7, 2010 | archive-date=March 8, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308214650/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/12/20/garden/in-blacks-homes-the-christmas-and-kwanzaa-spirits-meet.html?pagewanted=all | url-status=live }}</ref>
After its creation in California, Kwanzaa spread outside the United States to other parts of the African diaspora,<ref name="Britannica">{{cite encyclopedia |url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kwanzaa |title=Kwanzaa – African-American Holiday |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. |access-date=January 6, 2020 |quote=Although Kwanzaa is primarily an African American holiday, it has also come to be celebrated outside the United States, particularly in the Caribbean and other countries where there are large numbers of descendants of Africans. |archive-date=January 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105095939/https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kwanzaa |url-status=live }}</ref> but does not appear to be directly observed in any African countries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quartey |first=Kojo |title=Kojo Quartey: Kwanzaa: What it is and what it is not |url=https://www.monroenews.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/01/01/kojo-quartey-kwanzaa-what-it-is-and-not/69767160007/ |access-date=2025-08-10 |website=Monroe News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 4, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260104083241/https://www.monroenews.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/01/01/kojo-quartey-kwanzaa-what-it-is-and-not/69767160007/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)== thumb|A display of Kwanzaa symbols with fruit and vegetables <!--This section is linked from Nguzo Saba. When changing the heading name please take care to update this page as well.--> Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or '''''Nguzo Saba''''' (originally '''''Nguzu Saba''''' – the seven principles of African Heritage). They were developed in 1965, a year before Kwanzaa itself. These seven principles are all Swahili words, and together comprise the ''Kawaida'' or "common" philosophy, a synthesis of nationalist, pan-Africanist, and socialist values.
Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the principles, as follows:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/NguzoSaba.shtml|title=Nguzo Saba|last=Karenga|first=Maulana|date=2008|website=The Official Kwanzaa Web Site|access-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231203612/http://officialkwanzaawebsite.org/NguzoSaba.shtml|archive-date=December 31, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
# '''''Umoja''''' (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. # '''''Kujichagulia''''' (Self-determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves. # '''''Ujima''''' (Collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together. # '''''Ujamaa''''' (Cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together. # '''''Nia''''' (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. # '''''Kuumba''''' (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. # '''''Imani''''' (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
==Symbols== [[File:2019Kinara.jpg|thumb|2019 public kinara in New York City]]
Kwanzaa celebratory symbols include a mat (''Mkeka'') on which other symbols are placed:
* a ''Kinara'' (candle holder for seven candlesticks<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kinara|title=Definition of KINARA|website=www.merriam-webster.com|language=en|access-date=December 20, 2019|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308142527/https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kinara|url-status=live}}</ref>) * ''Mishumaa Saba'' (seven candles) * ''mazao'' (crops) * ''Mahindi'' (corn), to represent the children celebrating (and corn may be part of the holiday meal).<ref>{{cite book|last=Raabe|first=Emily|url=https://archive.org/details/kwanzaaholidayco0000raab/page/12|title=A Kwanzaa Holiday Cookbook|date=2001|publisher=Rosen Publishing|isbn=978-0823956296|page=[https://archive.org/details/kwanzaaholidayco0000raab/page/12 12]}}</ref> * a ''Kikombe cha Umoja'' (unity cup) for commemorating and giving ''shukrani'' (thanks) to African Ancestors * ''Zawadi'' (gifts).
Supplemental representations include a Nguzo Saba poster,<ref>{{cite book |last=Angaza |first=Maitefa |date=2007 |title=Kwanzaa – From Holiday to Every Day: A complete guide for making Kwanzaa a part of your life |location=New York |publisher=Dafina Books |page=56 |isbn=978-0758216656 |url=https://archive.org/details/kwanzaafromholid0000anga/page/56 }}</ref> the black, red, and green ''bendera'' (flag), and African books and artworks—all to represent values and concepts reflective of African culture and contribution to community building and reinforcement.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Symbols of Kwanzaa|url=http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/symbols.shtml|website=The Official Kwanzaa Website|access-date=January 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204005052/http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/symbols.shtml|archive-date=December 4, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Observances== thumb|left|A woman lighting candles for Kwanzaa. The black candle in the middle represents unity, the three green candles on the right represent earth, and the three red candles on the left represent the struggle of African Americans or the shedding of blood.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2020 |title=The Principles and Meaning of Kwanzaa |url=https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a34894866/kwanzaa-principles-candles-meaning/ |access-date=November 16, 2023 |website=Oprah Daily |language=en-US |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116220815/https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a34894866/kwanzaa-principles-candles-meaning/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Families celebrating Kwanzaa decorate their households with objects of art, colorful African cloth such as ''kente'', especially the wearing of kaftans by women, and fresh fruits representing African idealism. It is customary to include children in Kwanzaa ceremonies and to give respect and gratitude to ancestors. Libations are shared, generally with a common chalice (''Kikombe cha Umoja'') passed around to all celebrants. Non-African Americans also celebrate Kwanzaa, including celebrities like Angelina Jolie.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://matt.iheart.com/content/2021-12-16-umoja-did-you-know-that-these-stars-celebrate-kwanzaa/ |last=Kiyonna |first=Anthony |title=Did You Know That These Stars Celebrate Kwanzaa |website=MATT-FM |date=December 19, 2024 |access-date=March 27, 2026}}</ref><ref name="Scott2009" /> "Joyous Kwanzaa" may be used as a greeting during the holiday.<ref name="bush2004">{{cite press release |title=Presidential Kwanzaa Message, 2004 |date=December 23, 2004 |publisher=Office of the Press Secretary |url=https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041223-2.html |last=Bush |first=George W. |access-date=December 24, 2007 |archive-date=March 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210322155445/https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041223-2.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name = "clinton1997">{{cite news |title = Clinton offers holiday messages |url = http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/12/23/message/ |publisher = CNN |date = December 23, 1997 |access-date = December 24, 2007 |archive-date = September 25, 2020 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200925234022/http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/12/23/message/ |url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first = Elaine |last = Gale |title = Appeal of Kwanzaa continues to grow; holidays: today marks start of the seven-day celebration of African culture, which began in Watts 32 years ago and is now observed by millions. |url = https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/37610058.html?dids=37610058:37610058&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+26%2C+1998&author=ELAINE+GALE&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Appeal+of+Kwanzaa+Continues+to+Grow%3B+Holidays%3A+Today+marks+start+of+the+seven-day+celebration+of+African+culture%2C+which+began+in+Watts+32+years+ago+and+is+now+observed+by+millions.&pqatl=google |newspaper = Los Angeles Times |date = December 26, 1998 |access-date = December 24, 2007 |archive-date = June 5, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130605221130/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/37610058.html?dids=37610058:37610058&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Dec+26%2C+1998&author=ELAINE+GALE&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=Appeal+of+Kwanzaa+Continues+to+Grow%3B+Holidays%3A+Today+marks+start+of+the+seven-day+celebration+of+African+culture%2C+which+began+in+Watts+32+years+ago+and+is+now+observed+by+millions.&pqatl=google |url-status = dead }}</ref>
A Kwanzaa ceremony may include drumming and musical selections, libations, a reading of the "African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness," contemplation on the Pan-African colors, discussion of the African principle of the day or a chapter of African history, a candle-lighting ritual, artistic performances, and, finally, a feast of faith known as ''Karamu Ya Imani''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Johnson |first1=James W. |last2=Johnson |first2=F. Francis |last3=Slaughter |first3=Ronald L. |date=1995 |title=The Nguzo Saba and the Festival of Fruits |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l97ZAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Gumbs & Thomas Publishers |page=42 |isbn=9780936073200}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.epicurious.com/archive/holidays/kwanzaa/feast|title=A Great Kwanzaa Feast – Kwanzaa|website=Epicurious.com|access-date=December 28, 2019|archive-date=February 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228223647/https://www.epicurious.com/archive/holidays/kwanzaa/feast|url-status=live}}</ref> The greeting for each day of Kwanzaa is ''Habari Gani?'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/greetings_and.shtml |title=The Founder's Message 2000 |publisher=The Official Kwanzaa Web Site |access-date=December 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204005015/http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/greetings_and.shtml |archive-date=December 4, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> which is Swahili for "How are you?"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/swahili.php |title=Useful Swahili phrases |website=Omniglot.com |access-date=December 27, 2016 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410222018/https://omniglot.com/language/phrases/swahili.php |url-status=live }}</ref>
At first, observers of Kwanzaa avoided the mixing of the holiday or its symbols, values, and practice with other holidays, as doing so would violate the principle of ''kujichagulia'' (self-determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday, which is partially intended as a reclamation of important African values. Today, some African American families celebrate Kwanzaa along with Christmas and the New Year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/kwanzaa |title=Kwanzaa (until Jan 1) in the United States |website=Timeanddate.com |access-date=December 27, 2016 |archive-date=April 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410235556/https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/kwanzaa |url-status=live }}</ref>
Cultural exhibitions include the Spirit of Kwanzaa, an annual celebration held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts featuring interpretive dance, African dance, song, and poetry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&past=true&event=RHXAP |title=The Spirit of Kwanzaa – The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts |website=Kennedy-center.org |access-date=December 27, 2016 |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905072334/http://www.kennedy-center.org/calendar/index.cfm?fuseaction=showEvent&past=true&event=RHXAP |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.danceinstitute.org/aboutus3g.html|title=Dance Institute of Washington|date=February 21, 2001|access-date=October 25, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010221084040/http://www.danceinstitute.org/aboutus3g.html|archive-date=February 21, 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2004/sr04_070.htm|title=Kwanzaa Featured on This Year's Holiday U.S. Postage Stamp|date=October 19, 2004|access-date=October 25, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041019032411/http://usps.com/communications/news/stamps/2004/sr04_070.htm|archive-date=October 19, 2004}}</ref>
=== Karamu === A ''Karamu Ya Imani'' (Feast of Faith) is a feast typically on December 31, the sixth day of the Kwanzaa period. The Karamu feast was developed in Chicago during a 1971 citywide movement of Pan-African organizations. Hannibal Afrik of Shule ya Watoto proposed it as a community-wide promotional and educational campaign. The initial ''Karamu Ya Imani'' occurred on January 1, 1973, at a 200-person gathering at the Ridgeland club.<ref name="Joseph">{{cite book |last=Mayes |first=Keith|author-link=Keith Mayes |title=The Black Power Movement: Rethinking the Civil Rights-Black Power Era |publisher=Taylor & Francis Group |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-415-94596-7 |editor=Peniel Joseph |editor-link=Peniel E. Joseph |pages=244–245}}</ref>
In 1992, the National Black United Front (NBUF) of Chicago held one of the country's largest ''Karamu Ya Imani'' celebrations. It included dancing, a youth ensemble and a keynote speech by NBUF and prominent Black nationalist leader Conrad Worrill.<ref name="McFarland">{{cite news |last=McFarland |first=Melanie |date=December 25, 1992 |title=Kwanzaa Is A Time Of Reflection |work=Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/12/25/kwanzaa-is-a-time-of-reflection/ |access-date=December 24, 2011 |archive-date=September 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240919115521/https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/12/25/kwanzaa-is-a-time-of-reflection/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The celebration includes the following practices:
* Kukaribisha (Welcoming) * Kuumba (Remembering) * Kuchunguza Tena Na Kutoa Ahadi Tena (Reassessment and Recommitment) * Kushangilia (Rejoicing) * Tamshi la Tambiko (Libation Statement) * Tamshi la Tutaonana (The Farewell Statement)
==Adherence== {{unbalanced|section|date=December 2025}} [[File:Kwanza-RonKarenga.jpg|thumb|A 2003 Kwanzaa celebration with Kwanzaa founder Maulana Karenga at the center, and others]] The popularity of the celebration of Kwanzaa has declined since the 1990s.<ref>{{Cite interview |last=Neal |first=Mark Anthony |subject-link=Mark Anthony Neal |interviewer=Michel Martin |title=Is Kwanzaa Still A Thing? |url=https://www.npr.org/2012/12/28/168202864/is-kwanzaa-still-a-thing |work=Tell Me More |publisher=NPR |date=2012-12-28 |access-date=December 27, 2019 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121233920/https://www.npr.org/2012/12/28/168202864/is-kwanzaa-still-a-thing |url-status=live }}</ref> Kwanzaa observation has declined in both community and commercial contexts.<ref>{{Cite interview |last=Demby |first=Gene |subject-link=Gene Demby |interviewer=David Greene |title=Significance Of Kwanzaa Changes Over The Years |url=https://www.npr.org/2013/01/01/168388526/significances-of-kwanzaa-changes-over-the-years |access-date=2024-12-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119235641/https://www.npr.org/2013/01/01/168388526/significances-of-kwanzaa-changes-over-the-years |archive-date=2023-11-19 |url-status=live |work=Morning Edition |publisher=NPR |date=2013-01-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/2013/01/07/168644973/gaining-or-losing-credibility-by-humanizing-a-reporter-a-kwanzaa-story|title=Gaining Or Losing Credibility By Humanizing A Reporter: A Kwanzaa Story|newspaper=NPR|type=NPR Public Editor column|date=January 7, 2013|last1=Schumacher-Matos|first1=Edward|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212165423/https://www.npr.org/sections/publiceditor/2013/01/07/168644973/gaining-or-losing-credibility-by-humanizing-a-reporter-a-kwanzaa-story|archive-date=2024-12-12}}</ref> University of Minnesota Professor Keith Mayes did not report exact figures, noting that it is also difficult to determine these for the three other main African-American holidays, which he names as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Malcolm X Day, and Juneteenth.<ref name="Mayes2009"/>{{rp|210,274}} Mayes added that white institutions now also celebrate it.<ref name="Scott2009">{{Cite news |last=Scott |first=Megan K. |date=December 17, 2009 |title=Kwanzaa celebrations continue, but boom is over, popularity fading |url=http://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/12/kwanzaa_celebrations_continue.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The Plain Dealer |language=en-US |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=February 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203130428/https://www.cleveland.com/nation/index.ssf/2009/12/kwanzaa_celebrations_continue.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Certain communities of the Nation of Islam, an African American Islamic group, celebrate Kwanzaa.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Smith|first=Jamon |date=December 26, 2008|title=Kwanzaa celebration focuses on unity|url=https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story/news/2008/12/27/kwanzaa-celebration-focuses-on-unity/27780122007/|access-date=August 24, 2025|work=The Tuscaloosa News |language=en-US}}</ref>
In a 2019 National Retail Federation poll, 2.6 percent of people who planned to celebrate a winter holiday said they would celebrate Kwanzaa.<ref name="usatoday">{{Cite news |last=Yancey-Bragg |first=N'dea |date=2019-12-26 |title=From Umoja to Imani, Kwanzaa has 'won the hearts and minds of African people around the world |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/26/kwanzaa-african-american-holiday-celebrated-2019/4374651002/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212183443/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/12/26/kwanzaa-african-american-holiday-celebrated-2019/4374651002/ |archive-date=2024-12-12 |access-date=2024-12-24 |work=USA Today}}</ref> Roughly 14% of the United States population is African American.
Starting in the 1990s, the holiday became increasingly commercialized, with the first Hallmark card being sold in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Douglas |date=December 20, 1993 |title=The Marketing of Kwanzaa; Black American Holiday Earns Dollars, Causing Concern |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/20/nyregion/the-marketing-of-kwanzaa-black-american-holiday-earns-dollars-causing-concern.html |access-date=December 24, 2017 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309044257/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/20/nyregion/the-marketing-of-kwanzaa-black-american-holiday-earns-dollars-causing-concern.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Some have expressed concern about this potentially damaging the holiday's values.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/commercialized-kwanzaa-worries-enthusiasts/article_5514246b-bfd0-575f-9937-f2c004850b63.html|title=Commercialized Kwanzaa worries enthusiasts|date=2001-12-28|work=The Billings Gazette|access-date=December 24, 2017|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231117205604/https://billingsgazette.com/lifestyles/commercialized-kwanzaa-worries-enthusiasts/article_5514246b-bfd0-575f-9937-f2c004850b63.html|archive-date=2023-11-17}}</ref>
==Recognition== The first Kwanzaa stamp, designed by Synthia Saint James, was issued by the United States Post Office in 1997, and in the same year Bill Clinton gave the first presidential declaration marking the holiday.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=53734|title=William J. Clinton: Message on the Observance of Kwanzaa, 1997|website=www.presidency.ucsb.edu|access-date=December 31, 2017|archive-date=December 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231103648/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=53734|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pleck|first=Elizabeth|date=2001 |url= http://people.duke.edu/~ldbaker/classes/backtoafrica/documents/pleck1.pdf |title=Kwanzaa: The Making of a Black Nationalist Tradition, 1966–1990|jstor=27502744|journal=Journal of American Ethnic History|volume=20|issue=4|pages=3–28|doi=10.2307/27502744 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315195135/http://people.duke.edu/~ldbaker/classes/backtoafrica/documents/pleck1.pdf|archive-date=March 15, 2017}}</ref> Subsequent presidents George W. Bush,<ref name="bush2004"/> Barack Obama,<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Statement by the President and the First Lady on Kwanzaa |date=December 26, 2015 |publisher=The White House |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/12/26/statement-president-and-first-lady-kwanzaa |access-date=December 28, 2020 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226042016/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/12/26/statement-president-and-first-lady-kwanzaa |url-status=live }}</ref> Donald Trump,<ref>{{cite press release |title=Presidential Message on Kwanzaa |date=December 26, 2019 |publisher=The White House |url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-kwanzaa-2/ |access-date=December 29, 2019 |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226192132/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefings-statements/presidential-message-kwanzaa-2/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and Joe Biden<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1475126705278828555 |user=POTUS |title=As we begin the seven days of Kwanzaa, Jill and I send our best wishes to everyone celebrating. |first=Joe |last=Biden |author= |author-link=Joe Biden |date=December 26, 2021 |access-date=December 24, 2022 |url=https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1475126705278828555}}</ref> also issued greetings to celebrate Kwanzaa.
Maya Angelou narrated a 2008 documentary film about Kwanzaa, ''The Black Candle'', written and directed by M. K. Asante and featuring Chuck D.<ref name=Asante>{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=98278817 |title=Kwanzaa Celebration Captured In 'Black Candle' |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 15, 2008 |publisher=National Public Radio |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072443/https://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=98278817 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=Essence>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.essence.com/2009/12/26/chuck-d-and-maya-angelou-in-kwanzaa-docu |title=Chuck D and Maya Angelou in Kwanzaa Documentary |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=December 18, 2009 |magazine=Essence |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103011809/https://www.essence.com/2009/12/26/chuck-d-and-maya-angelou-in-kwanzaa-docu |url-status=live }}</ref>
In the special episode of the animated series ''Arthur'', ''Arthur's Perfect Christmas'', (2000) Brain's family celebrated Kwanzaa as a family, and added a Kwanzaa Ice Cream Special (red, black, and green ice cream) to their ice cream shop menu.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Arthur's Perfect Christmas |episode-link=Arthur's Perfect Christmas |series=Arthur |series-link=Arthur (TV series) |network=PBS |date=November 23, 2000 |season=5}}</ref>
In a television special for ''Rugrats'', ''A Rugrats Kwanzaa'', (2001) Susie Carmichael is visited by her great aunt during the holidays, who teaches the babies about the holiday and wishes to introduce the Carmichaels to the celebration, as they had never observed it before.<ref name="Paley1">{{Cite web |url=https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=michael&p=467&item=B:93609 |title=Rugrats: A Rugrats Kwanzaa (TV) |website=Paley Center for Media |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117051121/https://www.paleycenter.org/collection/item/?q=michael&p=467&item=B:93609 |archive-date=January 17, 2019}}</ref>
For the eleventh episode of season 1 of ''The Proud Family'', ''Seven Days of Kwanzaa'' (2001), the titular family are visited by a homeless family who teach them about the true meaning of Christmas and Kwanzaa alike.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hailu |first=Selome |last2=Turchiano |first2=Danielle |last3=Song |first3=Katie |last4=Framke |first4=Caroline |date=December 23, 2021 |title=The 35 Best Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa TV Episodes of All Time |url=https://variety.com/lists/christmas-hanukkah-kwanzaa-tv-episodes/ |access-date=September 16, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>
In ''Futurama'', ''A Tale of Two Santas'' (2001), Kwanzaabot is introduced as a recurring character, voiced by Coolio, who remarks that he has been distributing books titled "What the Hell is Kwanzaa?" for 647 years to spread the joy of Kwanzaa, to little effect.<ref name="Ratings">{{cite news | title = Nielsen ratings; 'CSI' tops rating's list. | url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17256091.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121023114738/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-17256091.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = October 23, 2012 | work = Dubuque Telegraph-Herald | agency = Associated Press | accessdate = March 7, 2009 | date = December 14, 2001 }} </ref>
In 2003, celebrity chef Sandra Lee concocted a recipe for a "Kwanzaa Cake" that was shown in a 2003 episode of ''Semi-Homemade Cooking with Sandra Lee''. The recipe consisted of angel food cake topped with vanilla icing mixed with cocoa and cinnamon powder, canned apple pie filling, pumpkin seeds and corn nuts (which she referred to as ''acorns''), all of which were store-bought, with seven Kwanzaa candles then inserted into the cake.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/this-cake-will-make-your-eyeballs-burst-into-flames-1798215993 |title=This Cake Will Make Your Eyeballs Burst Into Flames |first=Amelie |last=Gillette |website=The Onion AV Club |date=March 16, 2009 |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=August 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829205321/https://www.avclub.com/this-cake-will-make-your-eyeballs-burst-into-flames-1798215993 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The recipe received overwhelmingly negative reviews for the bizarre combination of ingredients that had little to do with the actual holiday. Food writer and critic Anthony Bourdain, who was one of Lee's biggest critics in general, panned the segment of the episode as "eye searing" and "a war crime".<ref>{{cite news|title=Eat this, Anthony Bourdain!|first=Moriah |last=Balingit|work=McClatchy – Tribune Business News|location=Washington|date=June 17, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Ripping Rant on Food and Restaurant Business; Surly celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain spouts off about his likes, and mostly passionate dislikes, in the eminently entertaining Medium Raw.|first=Colette|last=Bancroft|work=St. Petersburg Times|location=Florida|date=July 7, 2010|page=E2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Bourdain|first1=Anthony|title=Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook|year=2010 |publisher=Ecco|isbn=978-0-06-171894-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/mediumraw00anth}}</ref> The recipe was called "scary" by the ''Houston Chronicle'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Celebrity Chefs/Foodies with groupies|first=Mary|last=Vuong|work=Houston Chronicle|location=Texas|date=May 17, 2006|page=1}}</ref> and "the most ghastly-sounding dish in Lee's culinary repertoire" by ''Tulsa World''.<ref>{{cite news|title=Perhaps Democrats should taste Sandra Lee's cooking|first=Charlotte|last=Allen|work=Tulsa World|location=Oklahoma|date=December 5, 2010|page=G.3}}</ref> ''Salon.com'' wrote that the video "takes pride of place in the pantheon of hilarious culinary disaster videos".<ref>{{cite news|title=Just how offensive is Sandra Lee's crazy Kwanzaa cake?|date=December 26, 2010|first=Francis|last=Lam|work=Salon.com|url=https://www.salon.com/2010/12/26/sandra_lee_kwanzaa_cake_offensive/ |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-date=December 28, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101228232352/https://www.salon.com/food/francis_lam/2010/12/26/sandra_lee_kwanzaa_cake_offensive |url-status=live}}</ref>
In ''The Boondocks'', ''A Huey Freeman Christmas'' (2005), Huey's politically correct white liberal teacher Mr. Uberwitz tries teaching the bored and uninterested class about the history of Kwanzaa, and singles out Huey, the only black kid in the class, to help him lead the "Harambee" salute, Huey being wholly uninterested."<ref name="WP">{{cite news|author=Curt Fields|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/27/AR2006072700562_pf.html|title='Boondocks': Uncensored And Unbelievably Funny|date=July 28, 2006|newspaper=The Washington Post|accessdate=April 25, 2014}}</ref>
In 2006, as part of the "Festivals of the Word" doll line (a spin-off of the "Dolls of the World" series), Mattel released a Kwanzaa Barbie doll under the pink label collector tier for the adult collector.<ref>https://dollect.net/database/barbie-2006-dolls-of-the-world-festivals-of-the-world-kwanzaa/</ref>
In ''Everybody Hates Chris'', ''Everybody Hates Kwanzaa'' (2007), Julius decides the family will celebrate Kwanzaa instead of Christmas due to the festivities being cheaper. The origins of the holiday, along with the controversies of its founder Maulana Karenga, are satirically discussed in the episode.<ref>http://www.christmastvhistory.com/2012/04/everybody-hates-chris-2007-kwanzaa.html</ref>
In 2024, Sesame Street aired a holiday special, "H is for Holiday", featuring Kwanzaa at the center, the special being highlighted by celebrity guest star Michael B. Jordan.<ref>https://pbskids.org/videos/watch/kwanzaa-with-michael-b-jordan/2552397</ref>
==Practice outside the United States== Other countries where Kwanzaa is celebrated include Barbados, Brazil,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrillo |first=Karen Juanita |date=2023-12-21 |title=Kwanzaa is growing in popularity |url=https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2023/12/20/kwanzaa-is-growing-in-popularity/ |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=New York Amsterdam News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 7, 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260107172032/https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2023/12/20/kwanzaa-is-growing-in-popularity/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Canada,<ref name="WBFO 2018" /><ref name="CBC 2019">{{cite web |date=December 28, 2019 |title=Sask. African Canadian Heritage Museum celebrates Kwanzaa in Regina – CBC News |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/african-canadian-heritage-museum-kwanzaa-1.5409656 |access-date=December 1, 2022 |website=CBC |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201162905/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/african-canadian-heritage-museum-kwanzaa-1.5409656 |url-status=live }}</ref> Great Britain,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Iromaka |first=Jeremiah |date=2024-11-12 |title=Kwanzaa 2024 28th Dec |url=https://100bmol.org.uk/2024/11/12/kwanzaa-2024-28th-dec/ |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=100 Black Men of London |language=en-GB}}</ref> and Jamaica.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-27 |title=Kwanzaa thriving in America, hard sell in Jamaica |url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20221227/kwanzaa-thriving-america-hard-sell-jamaica |access-date=2025-12-29 |website=jamaica-gleaner.com |language=en |archive-date=December 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251218073658/https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20221227/kwanzaa-thriving-america-hard-sell-jamaica |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Lord Contributor 2016">{{cite web | last1=Lord | first1=Mark | title=Celebrating the life-affirming tenets of Kwanzaa | website=Queens Chronicle | date=December 22, 2016 | url=https://www.qchron.com/qboro/stories/celebrating-the-life-affirming-tenets-of-kwanzaa/article_6f1f8f4c-5bbe-5a12-a9d0-b815c558f215.html | access-date=December 1, 2022 | archive-date=December 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201161404/https://www.qchron.com/qboro/stories/celebrating-the-life-affirming-tenets-of-kwanzaa/article_6f1f8f4c-5bbe-5a12-a9d0-b815c558f215.html | url-status=live }}</ref> There have been calls in Barbados for Kwanzaa to be recognized as a national holiday.<ref name="barbados">{{cite web |last1=Springer |first1=Diara |title=Push for Kwanzaa to be a national holiday |url=https://nationnews.com/2025/12/28/push-for-kwanzaa-to-be-a-national-holiday/ |access-date=December 28, 2025 |website=Nation News |publisher=Nation Newspaper Barbados |archive-date=December 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251228143723/https://nationnews.com/2025/12/28/push-for-kwanzaa-to-be-a-national-holiday/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In Canada it is celebrated in provinces including Saskatchewan and Ontario.<ref name="CBC 2019" /> Kwanzaa week was first declared in Toronto in 2018.<ref name="WBFO 2018">{{cite web | title=Proclamations declaring Kwanzaa week in Toronto and Brampton a first for Canada | website=WBFO | date=December 27, 2018 | url=https://www.wbfo.org/local/2018-12-27/proclamations-declaring-kwanzaa-week-in-toronto-and-brampton-a-first-for-canada | access-date=December 1, 2022 | archive-date=December 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201161412/https://www.wbfo.org/local/2018-12-27/proclamations-declaring-kwanzaa-week-in-toronto-and-brampton-a-first-for-canada | url-status=live }}</ref> There are local chapters that emerged in the 2010s in provinces like British Columbia, where there are much smaller groups of the diaspora, founding members may be immigrants from countries like Uganda.<ref name="Service 2021">{{cite web |last= |first= |date=December 14, 2021 |title=Kwanzaa, the 7 most important days of the year, approaching for many African-Canadians |url=https://www.saanichnews.com/news/kwanzaa-the-7-most-important-days-of-the-year-approaching-for-many-african-canadians/ |access-date=December 30, 2023 |website=Saanich News |archive-date=March 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331074010/https://www.saanichnews.com/news/kwanzaa-the-7-most-important-days-of-the-year-approaching-for-many-african-canadians/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==See also== * Festivus * Public holidays in the United States
==References== {{Reflist}}
== Further reading ==
* {{Citation |last1=Medearis |first1=Angela Shelf |title=The Seven Days of Kwanzaa |url=https://archive.org/details/sevendaysofkwanz00mede |year=1994 |publisher=Scholastic Paperbacks |isbn=0-590-46360-8}} * {{Citation |last1=Seton |first1=Susannah |title=Simple Pleasures for the Holidays |url=https://archive.org/details/simplepleasuresf0000seto |year=2000 |publisher=Conari |isbn=1-57324-515-1 |url-access=registration}} * {{Citation |last1=Brady |first1=April A. |title=Kwanzaa Karamu |url=https://archive.org/details/kwanzaakaramucoo00brad |year=2000 |publisher=Lerner Publishing Group |isbn=0-87614-842-9}} * {{Citation |last1=Karenga |first1=Maulana |title=Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community, and Culture |url=https://archive.org/details/kwanzaacelebrati00kare_0 |year=1998 |publisher=University of Sankore Press |isbn=0-943412-21-8}} * {{Citation |last1=Marsh |first1=Carole |title=Kwanzaa: Activities, Crafts, Recipes, and More! |year=2003 |publisher=Gallopade International |isbn=0-635-02173-0}} * {{Citation |last1=Anganza |first1=Maitefa |title=Kwanzaa: from Holiday to Every Day |url=https://archive.org/details/kwanzaafromholid0000anga |year=2007 |publisher=Kensington Publishing Corporation |isbn=978-0-7582-1665-6}} * {{Citation |last1=Gamble-Gumbs |first1=Ida |title=How to Plan a Kwanzaa Celebration |url=https://archive.org/details/howtoplankwanzaa00gamb |year=1998 |publisher=Cultural Expressions, Inc. |isbn=0-9629827-1-7}} * {{Citation |last1=Hintz |first1=Martin |title=Kwanzaa: Why We Celebrate It the Way We Do |url=https://archive.org/details/kwanzaawhywecele00hint |year=1996 |publisher=Capstone Press |isbn=1-56065-329-9}} * {{Citation |last1=Asante |first1=Molefi K. |title=Encyclopedia of Black Studies |year=2005 |publisher=SAGE |isbn=0-7619-2762-X |last2=Mazama |first2=Ama}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/}} * {{IMDb title|qid=Q7718270|title=The Black Candle}} * [http://www.africanholocaust.net/news_ah/kwanzaa.html Why Kwanzaa was created by Karenga] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071230082328/http://www.africanholocaust.net/news_ah/kwanzaa.html |date=December 30, 2007 }} * [http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history The History Channel: Kwanzaa] * {{Cite news |title=The Meaning of Kwanzaa in 2003 |url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1571259 |date=December 26, 2003 |work=The Tavis Smiley Show |publisher=NPR}} Interview: Karenga discusses the evolution of the holiday and its meaning.
{{Pan-Africanism}} {{African American topics}} {{US Holidays}} {{Subject bar|United States|Holidays|auto=1|wikt=y|d=y}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Kwanzaa Category:1966 establishments in the United States Category:African-American culture Category:Black Power Category:December observances Category:January observances Category:Recurring events established in 1966 Kwanzaa Category:Public holidays in the United States Category:Swahili words and phrases