2006-12-27 10:01:41 · 27 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Kwanzaa
Don't think so. I'm a woodworker, and I made several beautiful Kinaras (candle holders) for Kwanzaa, and I literally couldn't give them away to anyone, African-origin or otherwise. And I make alot of money woodworking, so it wasn't the quality.
My guess -
Most of the surviving holidays are usually a blend of several cultural contributions. Even the traditional Christian holidays have a great deal of cross cultural influences. While this worries the respective purists, this is also why such holidays are universally celebrated. Kwanzaa hasn't quite got there yet. Kwanzaa has a very admirable goal, but a very narrow cultural appeal. It not only attempts to promote family and community, but it is also based very intentionally on pride in African culture. This is not wrong, but persons that are not of African descent will not likely relate to those particular cornerstones of Kwanzaa. Unless it begins to incorporate other cultural celebrations with the same intent, it will not appeal to mass celebration.
The only reasonably successful holiday that remains culturally biased is St. Patricks day. Don't know why . . . . Yeah, I do. It's the beer.
2006-12-27 16:19:10 · answer #1 · answered by freebird 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Of course, Kwanzaa is celebrated around December 26 and lasts until the New Year by peoples of African decent ..and if you believe that we all are originally from Africa , since the first man, original man..is from Africa...so that must mean that we all are decendants no matter what shade we are, so if thats the case then we all should be celebrating Kwanzaa ..of course..again..there is gonna be some folks that have a problem with what i just wrote...and i understand that not all folks can comprehend what i just said...but ya know ...let that be ignorance on your soul...not mine...Peace be with you....
2006-12-28 01:44:40 · answer #2 · answered by jamaal 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Kwanzaa was not created to replace Christmas. It was actually meant to bring people together and reaffirm the bonds between all people of African descent and it is not based on any religion.
Dr. Maulana Karenga, the creator of this holiday, looked to African culture for inspiration, particularly the Africa "first fruit" festivals which are held to celebrate the harvest.
My family is multi-racial and multi-cultural. We are Christian so of course we celebrate Christmas. I am also Latina so we celebrate Las Posadas and Dia de los Reyes (Three King's day or Epiphany) and we celebrate Kwanzaa because my husband and children are African American.
Kwanzaa is a wonderful tradition in our family. It encourages unity and cooperation through the 7 Principles. It also extends our holiday season and gives us more reasons for celebrating. It is also a holiday that is child led and allows kids opportunities to be creative and reinforces lifelong skills.
2006-12-27 19:02:58 · answer #3 · answered by ldylili 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Celebrating Kwanzaa is a choice, however for those that raise the argument that it's a "made up" holiday, you should recognize that all holidays were "made up" to remember and/or celebrate something. Mother's Day, Father's Day, President's Day, Valentine's Day, Flag Day. etc. None of these have any single event that triggered the event. All are meant to raise our consciousness.
2006-12-28 17:18:19 · answer #4 · answered by Apple21 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I practice Kwanzaa 365 days of the year. These principles are spirtually connected to my ancestors and I have found that my consciounesses is more elevated than those who do not practice the connected of the ancestoral past. Kwanzaa is not to be confused with any other religious activity. It is a way of life and the principles are the guiding force. If African Americans would accept the principles it would be easier to understand the connection to the past.
2006-12-27 21:27:39 · answer #5 · answered by nat32225 1 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Yes, marxists. The founder, Ron Karenga (liked to use soldering irons on women) was a rabid marxist and tried to weave the tenets of Marxism into an African celebration. Nothing about Kwanzaa (named specifically to trick American blacks) has anything whatsoever to do with Africa or any of the many distinct cultures on that continent.
2006-12-28 01:33:38 · answer #6 · answered by Jason R 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Many white people are stupid. Always talking about something that they have no knowledge and understanding of, such as Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa was created by a black man. Hopefully in a hundred years white people won't try to claim that they created Kwanzaa and then it will become a white celebration. Much the same way they claim the African Egyptian history, by claiming that the original Egyptians were white people instead of them being black people from Africa.
2006-12-27 22:17:04 · answer #7 · answered by Jesus 1 · 3⤊ 5⤋
I celebrate Kwanzaa. It is an African-American culture holiday, and it's main purpose is to recognize and influence unity in the black community. I also celebrate Christmas. I'm Christian and I don't see anything wrong celebrating both holidays. While most people may not think it's really relevant, I think it is and I think others should open their eyes to it.
2006-12-27 19:23:54 · answer #8 · answered by Sameister 2 · 6⤊ 3⤋
very few people do, most blacks celebrate Christmas...and some claim to celebrate both (although this is a violation of Kwanzaa then as it was started as alternative to Christmas...but many people fail to realize this)
2006-12-27 18:06:32 · answer #9 · answered by justin082005 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Mostly people with African backround celebrate kwanzaa.
2006-12-27 18:38:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋