DEFINITION OF KWANZAA Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture. Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili, has gained tremendous acceptance. Since its founding in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa has come to be observed by more than18 million people worldwide, as reported by the New York Times. When establishing Kwanzaa in 1966, Dr. Karenga included an additional "a" to the end of the spelling to reflect the difference between the African American celebration (kwanzaa) and the Motherland spelling (kwanza).
Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated
2006-10-25 15:47:23 · 10 answers · asked by Careatha 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Kwanzaa
Sadly there is a MAJOR misconception that it is an ages old African celebration - but most Africans have not heard of Kwanzaa.., well maybe some modern day Africans as it had to leak over there by now.
But it was started here in America. People should be made aware of that.
Kwanza was birthed in 1966 in California by, Ron Karenga. Ron is an African author But not African by birth, He was born in Maryland in the USA - but non the less Kwanzaa has not been around for hundreds of years as an African celebration.
2006-10-25 16:14:19 · answer #1 · answered by Victor ious 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is still a holiday made up by a leftist professor
who made it because he hates Christmas. Just because he took ideas from Africa and cobbled them together, it doesn't make it any more festive to me.
Why don't we have a national holiday to celebrate the end of the Civil War, "Victory over Slavery Day". That's something we should all be able to celebrate together. Hundreds of my relatives died for that cause. I am sorry if there are descendants of slave owners who still feel that they can justify human slavery! I think freeing the slaves from bondage is one the most important things of all time. Why do we have to make something up when we have such a wonderful milestone for all mankind to celebrate? It would make us too close together wouldn't it? No more divide by race to conquer?
2006-10-25 16:03:55 · answer #2 · answered by Susan M 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Kwanzaa, Is a made up holiday, with no African roots, it was "made-up" by an American. No country, (nobody) harvests in December!
2006-10-25 15:50:32 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
Go to Africa and ask anybody about Kwanzaa and they'll just look at you like you're stupid. Its a made up holiday by some disenchanted black man.
2006-10-26 13:25:54 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
i did know like 2 or 3 facts you mentioned there but i didn't know the rest...thanks for the info!
oh and i loved the answer you gave to my question...thank you!
2006-10-25 16:34:56 · answer #5 · answered by SHE'S A DANCING QUEEN ! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I did know this. Why do you ask? I looked it up one day to understand what it is and if people celebrate it I hope they know the history ( even if it is a brief one).
2006-10-25 15:50:21 · answer #6 · answered by Me 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I'll notify the press.
2006-10-25 15:53:00 · answer #7 · answered by WHITE TRASH ARMENIAN 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I knew but had forgotten a lot of that..........thank you
2006-10-25 16:04:55 · answer #8 · answered by Diamond in the Rough 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really, thank you!
2006-10-25 15:49:55 · answer #9 · answered by ßαßε 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no I didn't
and thank for that
2006-10-25 15:48:43 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋