Kwanzaa

Each day of Kwanzaa, usually before the evening meal, family and friends gather around the table and someone lights a candle, beginning with the black.

Kwanzaa is a cultural festival during which African- Americans celebrate and reflect upon their rich heritage as the products of two worlds.

Kwanzaa is a Kiswahili word meaning "the first fruits of the harvest".

Kwanzaa is based on seven principles which are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

The East African language of kiswahili was chosen as the official language of Kwanzaa, because it is a non-tribal language, spoken by a large portion of the African population.