Kwanzaa is not an African holiday.Kwanzaa is a secular seven day holiday beginning on December 26th. This holiday was developed by Dr. Maulana Karenga and is observed by African-Americans. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.
Many elements of Kwanzaa come from African harvest celebrations. The word Kwanzaa is taken from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza meaning first fruits.
Each day of the Kwanzaa celebration is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamma (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), Imani (Faith). These words along with mkeka, muhindi, kinara, mishumaa saba, kikombe cha umoja, zawadi, and karamu and many others used in the Kwanzaa celebrations are Swahili words. Interestingly, the word Kwanzaa is not a Swahili word, kwanza is.
Good description, I would just include that those harvest celebrations regularly include praying to the spirits of the forefathers. That part apparently did not make it into Kwanzaa, as far as I could determine.
I can count the number of black Americans I know that celebrate kwanzaa. People who already are self sufficient, charitable towards the place where they live,etc. don't need a holiday telling them to do so.
Actually I know of only one person who celebrates kwanzaa. Two people if I count the freeper that I know that celebrates kwanzaa.
It's a hate America, hate white people, communist indoctrination vehicle.
And "Dr" Karenga is also a made up name. He changed it so people wouldn't know who he really is and look into his criminal past. He is a convicted, sexual deviant, woman torturer.