Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival that celebrates African and African American culture and history. It is observed from December 26th to January 1st. The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase 'matunda ya kwanza' which means 'first fruits' in the Swahili language. Swahili is spoken in Eastern African language spoken in countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Kwanzaa is mostly observed in the United States.

People use a special candleholder called a kinara for the festival A kinara has seven candles with three red ones on the left, three green ones on the right and a black candle in the centre. The candles are quite similar to the lighting of the menorah in the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah.

The seven days and candles represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa. They are as follows:

Umoja: Unity - Unity of the family, community, nation and race

Kujichagulia: Self-Determination - Being responsible for your own conduct and behaviour

Ujima: Collective work and responsibility - Working to Help each other and in the community

Ujamaa: Cooperative economics - Working to build shops and businesses

Nia: Purpose - Remembering and restoring African and African American cultures, customs and history

Kuumba: Creativity - Using creating and your imagination to make communities better

Imani: Faith - Believing in people, families, leaders, teachers and the righteousness of the African American struggle

There are also seven symbols used in Kwanzaa which are often set on the table in the house. It includes, Mkeka (mat), Kikombe cha Umoja, (Unity Cup), Mazao (crops), Kinara (candleholder), Mishumaa Saba (seven candles), Muhindi (corn) and Zawadi (gifts for children). The other symbols include Bendera, a flag with three horizontal stripes of black, red and green other than Nguzo Saba Poster which contains the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31. The Kwanzaa festival was created by Dr Maulana Karenga in 1966. The American professor wanted a way to bring African Americans together and celebrate their culture together. Harvest or 'first fruit' festivals are celebrated all over Africa as a time to give thanks for the good things. People wish each other on the festival by saying 'Habari gani' in Swahili.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 24, 2019 01:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).