I know that not too long ago, Merry Christmas became Happy Kwanza for many African Americans. Though I understand that they are trying to keep their roots, I lived in Ivory Coast for three years and no one heard of Kwanza. My friend from Ghana says that Kwanza is made up by African Americans trying to add a 'black culture' to Christmas. Is he right? If not, can someone please explain where Kwanza derives from (Is it Swahili?).
2006-12-28 20:09:08 · 8 answers · asked by gnomus12 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Kwanza actually doesn't start until the day after Christmas and goes to January 1st. It's a US cultural/community holiday for African Americans started by an African American professor back in the 60's. He based it on several different first fruit celebrations from various groups in Africa. That is why you can recognize the word Kwanza as Swahili, even though the holiday is not Swahili.
Here is a very helpful website about it:
http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=Minisite_Generic&content_type_id=353&display_order=1&mini_id=1047
2006-12-28 20:26:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jen 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Christmas and Kwanza(a) have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Christmas is religious, Kwanzaa is secular (non-religious). Celebrating Kwanzaa is akin to celebrating Thanksgiving and the only reason people have problems with it is because it starts the day after Christmas.
Do you know people who celebrate both Thanksgiving and Christmas?
2006-12-29 13:32:17 · answer #2 · answered by ***Kia is a STAR*** 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
matunda ya kwanza(gathering of the fruits)
Well, it gives them a time to be proud of their roots,
I suppose Black History Month is similar but kwanzaa
helps black people look back and be proud..yeah your
ghanaian friend's right..but he's probably met the Asantehana
(Ashanti King) he doesn't need to be proud..he lives it!!!
They need pride because slavery took what they had away and they can only look back in shame.
2006-12-29 04:33:34 · answer #3 · answered by Baba Konsa 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
because understand KWANZAA is the american version. Kwanza is african. Kwanzaa is a american holiday created by african slaves to have some connection to africa.
Yeah, it's made up but WE DO NOT KNOW OUR CULTURE OR HISTORY BECAUSE OF YOU KNOW WHAT!
2006-12-29 04:13:06 · answer #4 · answered by ¡El lobo del norte del fuego! 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Its made up of bits and pieces of customs from all over the continent of Africa. You didn't encounter it in Africa because its an American invention.
2006-12-29 04:20:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm black and I don't celebrate it.I'm a Christian and celebrate Christmas.It's bull!
2006-12-29 04:17:57 · answer #6 · answered by Direktor 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
sittin' around,the name sounded cool,so now we say "happy kwanza".
2006-12-29 04:13:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
yes, it is US-only celebration.
I do not see how it makes it less real than MLK day or Thanksgiving
2006-12-29 04:11:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋