Kwanzaa Traditions

​Kwanzaa is an African American holiday celebrating family, community, and culture. Specifically, its name signifies the harvest of the “first fruits.” This holiday spans seven days, highlighting seven principles. The seven principles are umoja (unity), kujichaguila (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamma (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th through January 1st and has ample traditions including aspects of food, music, poetry and more. Some core foods traditional to a Kwanzaa feast include sweet potatoes, collard greens, peanut stew (West African is origin), curry or jerk chicken (Caribbean influences).