I heard that Kwanzaa was made up in the U.S. Just wondering =]
2006-11-28 14:08:45 · 20 answers · asked by Marisa7993 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a genuine, homemade holiday created by a Maryland man in the 1960s. It is not an African holiday but encompasses ideas and precepts from some African traditions and American perceptions of African traditions. Kwanzaa is gaining a larger following each year and begins the day after Christmas. Why not Google this and read about a most interesting new phenomena. You may want to participate in the celebration whether you are black or white.
2006-11-28 14:14:24 · answer #1 · answered by Donald W 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
This is a question I get all the time. I was born and raised in East Africa and moved to the US 10 years ago at age 33. Until I stepped into the united states, I had never heard of Kwanzaa and it has never been celebrated in Africa. At least not where I came from. This holiday was really started here in America and I doubt that it has spread to any other country.
2006-12-02 18:36:52 · answer #2 · answered by safariland2nyc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
personally, i don't know very much about kwanzaa. im just learning about it really and i believe that its a great idea. as "african americans" (if you like to be identified this way...) we are constantly searching for a definition of our 'culture'. By culture i mean a means to identify the black race that has evolved here in America. We can call ourselves Americans, but we aren't always given the same "priveleges" as "Americans". I think Kwanzaa is a good balance of cultural definition and ancestral celebration with regards to the assuredness that Black Americans do indeed come from Africa. The fact that Kwanzaa is centered around the African Harvest is the identifying tie that we use to remind where we, as a people, actually come from. We need never forget that.
2006-12-02 18:13:19 · answer #3 · answered by jomonitacuz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ohkama you are so wrong for that feedback you gave...thumbs to you. In most Africa ( not only Easter african countries)traditions, They have a tradition for the end of harvest when farmers give out their excess produce to family ,neighbours and friends to celebarete their harvest( whether it's small or a huge harvest).
Africans have a tradition of giving even when they don't have much to give out in the first place. Modern day Christian Africans celebrate it in the church around October (which is usually the time of Harvest) they bring things to the church which is sold in the Church Bazaars and the proceeds given to Charities and Orphanages.
2006-12-02 11:40:03 · answer #4 · answered by sassy mama 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, it isn't. It is a made up holiday by an african-american to provide more pride in "being black". Many groups create different kinds of celebrations for their groups. Unlike MLK day, it is not imposed on all to celebrate. MLK and Columbus are the only individuals for whom a national holiday is specified. MLK day was specified to satisfy demands by african-americans who were/are bitter about their ancestors having been slaves in America, discrimination by some individuals against them, and unreasonable demands for special recognition and atonement.
2006-12-02 20:55:52 · answer #5 · answered by txguyx 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Donald above...
As for Ohkama, Kwanzaa was created for AA's as a means to try to re-connect to a lost culture. Come on down from your high horse! Geez!
2006-11-29 10:01:33 · answer #6 · answered by Malaikablu 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Kwanzaa is centered around the East African harvest, as well as family and empowerment, but the celebration was founded by a professor from Long Beach State University.
2006-11-28 22:25:43 · answer #7 · answered by MO 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
http://www.francesfarmersrevenge.com/stuff/archive/oldnews2/kwanzaa.htm This is the best site for Kwanzaa, a made up holiday for sure!
2006-12-02 10:48:12 · answer #8 · answered by Larry R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no Kwanzaa in Africa, and yes "it" is centered around East African culture and customs, but it is no where close.
It horrifies me to see African American holidays and celebrations centered around far off places and events not well known to those who create and want to celebrate it.
I mean can you imagine if you went to Africa and found a holiday centered around America's tradition like say Thanksgiving day, you would have a good laugh about it coz it would be all wrong, or what if you found me celebrating my own version of the Chinese new year!! that would be all wrong too.
Everyone needs to find their own identity and not derive it from other cultures, places and peoples they know nothing about!!!!
2006-11-29 09:14:31 · answer #9 · answered by reene2g 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
No it is not celebrated in Africa. People in Africa have feasts sometimes if they can get enough food together but they do not celebrate Kwanzaa
2006-11-28 22:11:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋