{"id":40372,"date":"2020-12-03T11:05:16","date_gmt":"2020-12-03T19:05:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/picsart.com\/blog\/?p=40372"},"modified":"2021-04-07T09:42:28","modified_gmt":"2021-04-07T16:42:28","slug":"kwanzaa-common-greetings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/picsart.com\/blog\/kwanzaa-common-greetings\/","title":{"rendered":"Kwanzaa Greeting: Common Greetings in English and Swahili"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holiday of Kwanzaa is centered around family and community, beautiful symbolisms and customs, and consists of vibrant colors that bring life to the cultural celebration. From festive feasts and candle lighting to common greetings in English and Swahilli, there is a lot to learn about the joyous holiday of Kwanzaa. So buckle up, because today you\u2019re learning everything there is to know about Kwanzaa!<\/span><\/p>\n

History of Kwanzaa<\/span><\/h2>\n

Kwanzaa was established in 1966 in the U.S by Dr. Maulana Karenga. He was a professor of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, and created the observance of Kwanzaa as a way to bring the African-American community together.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Karenga combined aspects of several different African harvest celebrations to create Kwanzaa. He found that the basic principles in producing harvests are essential to building strong communities. He thus established the seven principles, the basis of Kwanzaa. They are reflective of strengthening and unifying the African-American community.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Celebration of Kwanzaa<\/span><\/h2>\n

Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday observed from December 26th to January 1st and is celebrated by African-Americans and the African community all over the world. Kwanzaa is not considered a religious holiday, but a cultural one that can be simultaneously celebrated with other religious holidays such as Christmas or Hanukkah. Although families can observe Kwanzaa each in their own way, the celebrations often include singing and dancing, storytelling and poetry reading, African drums, gift-giving, and a big traditional feast.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On each of the seven nights, a candle is lit on the Kinara (candleholder), and one of the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa is discussed. There are also seven symbols in Kwanzaa, each representing values and traditions reflective of African heritage. On the final Kwanzaa night of December 31, an African feast (Karamu) is enjoyed by family and friends.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa<\/span><\/h2>\n

The seven principles (or Nguzo Saba) are based on the ideals of first-fruit harvests. They are at the heart of Kwanzaa, representing the values of family, community, and African culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Umoja<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Umoja means unity. It represents building and maintaining strong relationships between the family and the community.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Kujichagulia<\/b>
\n<\/span>This means self-determination and being able to define, create, and speak for yourself.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

3. Ujima<\/b>
\n<\/span>Ujima means collective work and responsibility. It promotes the well-being of the community as one.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. Ujamaa<\/b>
\n<\/span>This represents cooperative economics, meaning to build businesses within the community in order to further the economic prosperity of the community. <\/span><\/p>\n

5. Nia<\/b>
\n<\/span>Nia means purpose. It promotes the collective goals and development of the community rather than on an individual level.<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Kuumba<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kuumba means creativity and the constant improvement of your community to leave it more beautiful and beneficial than you inherited it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Imani<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Imani means faith. It is based on faith in yourself and your community and that a better world will be created now and in the future. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa<\/span><\/h2>\n

The seven symbols of Kwanzaa each represent the values and concepts of African culture. The symbols reflect the building and reinforcement of the African community as a whole.<\/span><\/p>\n