5 Things You May Not Know About Kwanzaa Celebrations

Kwanzaa Celebrations take place every year from December 26 to January 1st! So, as we celebrate this holiday season, Christmas & Hanukkah are gone, but another celebration is just beginning! Monday, December 26th is the first day of Kwanzaa and a weeklong celebration of African-American culture and heritage. It is observed by millions of people in the United States and around the world. Here are 5 things you may not know about this Cultural Holiday & Celebration! [ss-signup design_id="286444"] Kwanzaa Was Founded in 1966 Out of the Racial Unrest of the Watts Riots in Los Angeles. According to World.celebrat.net, from the beginning, the plan was to create a holiday for African Americans to honor their African roots and reaffirm their cultural connections. Because of the recent surges in racial unrest in our country from 2020, there has been a resurgence in Kwanzaa Celebrations in around the country. The Nguzu Saba: Are the Seven Principals of Kwanzaa and they are Celebrated Over Seven Days (1) Unity (Umoja) maintaining unity as a family, community, and race of people. (2) Self-determination (Kujichagulia) defining, naming, creating, and speaking for ourselves. (3) Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima) building and maintaining our community—solving problems together. (4) Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa) building and maintaining retail stores and other businesses and to profit from these ventures. (5) Purpose (Nia) work collectively to build communities that will restore the greatness of African people. (6) Creativity (Kumba) to find new, innovative ways to leave communities of African descent in more beautiful and beneficial ways than the community inherited. (7) Faith (Imani) the belief in God, family, heritage, leaders, and others that will leave to the victory of Africans around the world. Which of the 7 Kwanzaa Principals is your favorite and why? Kwanzaa is Not just Celebrated in the US! This may be a surprise to most that Kwanzaa is celebrated widely throughout many different Countries including, Canada, France, England, Jamaica, and Brazil. Though Kwanzaa is an African American Created Holiday, it Replicates the First Harvest Celebrations in Africa. The meaning of the name Kwanzaa is the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means the "first fruits" of the harvest.  So, from the dancing to the preparations of the harvest to the African clothing, there is a consistent connection to our shared African & African American Heritage. YES! Anyone can join Kwanzaa Celebrations! As noted by Thought.co.com,  While Kwanzaa focuses on the Black community and African Diaspora, people from other racial groups may join in the celebration. Just as people from a range of backgrounds partake in cultural celebrations such as Cinco de Mayo or Chinese New Year, those who aren’t of African descent may also celebrate Kwanzaa. As the Kwanzaa Web site explains, “The principles of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a universal message for all people of good will. It is rooted in African culture, and we speak as Africans must speak, not just to ourselves, but to the world.” Want to celebrate Kwanzaa this year? It's not too late! There is an awesome Local Las Vegas Celebration happening this week at the West Side library. Follow his link for more information Listen to Jamming 105.7 for the Daily Kwanzaa Principals and meanings! https://jammin1057.com/shows/thump-in-the-morning/