HAPPY KWANZAA 2010

 From December 26th to January 1st, millions of people will be celebrating Kwanzaa around the world. This is a celebration of the "First Fruits of the Harvest" which got its start in the mid sixties when America was experiencing the civil rights movement. 

The focus was and continues to be on family, community and culture within the African American perspective. For almost 40 years, the week long event has focused on providing a context and commitment of common ground, cooperative practice and shared good in the black community and with all others.

Kwanzaa is neither a religious nor a political holiday, but a celebration of African heritage and traditional African values. Kwanzaa is celebrated in addition to Christmas or Hannukah and is not meant as a replacement for either holiday.

Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of African Studies at California State University, pretty much founded Kwanzaa. He was quoted in NewsReviewOnline saying: "Kwanzaa is a celebration of the family which first forms us, names, nurtures and sustains us, and teaches us upright and uplifting ways to understand and assert ourselves in the world."  
 
There are seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Thats why you'll see seven candles in the Kinara pictured above.
Below is a promo for a documentary on Kwanzaa and it's origins:



As you can see, I like to leave you knowing something new everytime you visit.