Why does no one celebrate Kwanzaa?

Answer 1

Kwanzaa was developed as an African-American holiday in opposition to, or as an alternative to, Christmas. If you figure that about 10-12% of Americans are African-American, and at least half (if not more) of them are already Christians and not looking for an alternative to Christmas, then you are looking at about 5% that might celebrate Kwanzaa.

Consider the number of people who "recognize" Christmas, but don't really celebrate it. (They may buy some presents, but they don't commemorate the birth of Christ or worship him.) We might logically think that there are some who like the idea of an African-American holiday, but don't really celebrate it. If this idea is applied to Kwanzaa, you may be down to 2-3%.

Finally, Kwanzaa is a modern development, without history and without roots. It has certain "traditions" attached to it, but things become traditional by their practice, not by someone telling you it's tradition. This might reduce the final number of those celebrating Kwanzaa 1-2%.

Of course these numbers are purely guesses, but what they mean is that of 1,000 random people, you could probably expect 10-20 to celebrate Kwanzaa. It isn't "no one," but it isn't many.

Answer 2

I do celebrate Kwanzaa and so do my friends and family. why would you ask a question like that. the Internet is open to educate and develop the mind. look it up and see how many people celebrate it. No it's not Christmas where you get toys and car new whatever, and maybe we will worship Christ at some point a time. it a source of pride Heritage where we come from our roots and history. that was taking from us as a people. In the good old day's the slave master indoctrinate Black's to be a Christian so that why Black's do Christmas.Kwanzaa is about self love of the African Amerian people.

Answer 3

I celebrate Kwanzaa

Answer 4

I think that kwanzaa is really celebrated by a tiny percentage of people, and that most of the "celebrations" are staged for the media.

Answer 5

Because the Easter bunny beat up the Kwanzaa bunny!

Just kidding...lot's of people celebrate it, but it's celebrated primarily in large African American communities

Answer 6

of route you may. the following is a right away quote from the reputable cyber web web site of Kwanzaa: "Kwanzaa is clearly an African vacation created for African peoples. yet human beings can and do celebrate it, a twin of human beings participate in Cinco de Mayo as well Mexicans; chinese language New 12 months as well chinese language; community American pow wows as well community human beings. Any particular message it extremely is nice for a particular human beings, even if it truly is human in its content and moral in its grounding, speaks no longer only to that human beings, it speaks to the international. the guidelines of Kwanzaa and the message of Kwanzaa has a common message for everyone of advantageous will. it truly is rooted in African way of life, and we talk as Africans ought to talk, no longer only to ourselves, yet to the international. This maintains our custom of talking our own particular cultural truth and making our own unique contribution to the ahead bypass of human historic past."

Answer 7

I celebrate it. I have tried to explain it to my non ethnic friends and some get it and some don't. It's not as highly celebrated as Christmas. It's not the commercialized as it either, which helps for it not to be understand by people. I like it though it brings my family and some friends together for a small get together, share different families dishes,light the candles and we tell family stories. Here is more information for those who don't what it is....

Kwanzaa - What is it?

Each December the Outreach Program receives numerous inquiries about the festival Kwanzaa. This celebration is not a festival originating in any of the 55 African countries nor is it an "African" Christmas celebration. Kwanzaa is an African-Americans celebration of life from 26 December to 1 January.

Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home. Dr. Karenga created this festival for Afro-Americans as a response to the commercialism of Christmas. In fact one might say that Kwanzaa has similarities with Thanksgiving in the United States or the Yam Festival in Ghana and Nigeria. The word "kwanza" is a KiSwahili (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) word meaning "first."

Five common sets of values are central to the activities of the week: ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment, and celebration. The seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa utilize Kiswahili words: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). Each of the seven candles signify the principles. Like the Jewish Hannakah, candles are used to represent concepts of the holiday.

The symbols of Kwanzaa includes crops (mzao) which represents the historical roots of African-Americans in agriculture and also the reward for collective labor. The mat (mkeka) lays the foundation for self- actualization. The candle holder (kinara) reminds believers in the ancestral origins in one of 55 African countries. Corn/maize (muhindi) signifies children and the hope associated in the younger generation. Gifts (Zawadi) represent commitments of the parents for the children. The unity cup (Kkimbe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations to the ancestors. Finally, the seven candles (mishumaa saba) remind participants of the seven pinciples and the colors in flags of African liberation movements -- 3 red, 1 black, and 3 green.

Gifts are exchanged. On 31 December participants celebrate with a banquet of food often cuisine from various African countries. Participants greet one another with "Habari gani" which is Kiswahili for "how are you/ how's the news with you?" For further information about Kwanzaa, write to the University of Sankore Press, 2540 W. 54th St., Los Angeles, CA 90043. A children's book about KWANSA by Deborah Newton Chocolate is available through Childrens' Press, 1990, Chicago.

Answer 8

Because most people celebrate Christmas.

Answer 9

Black Americans, and white Americans if they have friendly relations or familly ties wilth black Americans...in a way of respect, familly conection, & frienship black and white will join the festivities...Is like a Christian fellow get invited in a Jewish wedding..Me as so called WHITE CHRISTIAN.I do n't see any thing wrong to respect , celebrate and enjoy the jewish Traditions.. or any other Religion Holiday black or white or yellow..As they say if you find yourself at Rome do what the Romans do. have fun and let every body's God or Gods to bless all of us.

Answer 10

Personally, I celebrate Kwanzaa!!

Most of the african-ameerican community, don't accept it as a holiday. To accept Kwanzaa is like to accept, Your heritage. I don't understand why it is like that, but its roots are in slavery. (ie. the auction block) Also, if you are an african american, embrace your heritage and don't let people dictate what you do. You have to do what is right for you (this applies even if you are not african american)

****Good Question*****

Best of luck