Happy Kwanzaa! … When is it? And what is Kwanzaa?

This year’s Kwanzaa in the United States begins on Dec. 26, and continues through Jan. 1.

A celebration of African American heritage and traditional values, Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in the U.S. in 1966, according to University of Pennsylvania’s African Studies Center website.

During the week, participants celebrate different principles by lighting one candle at a time each day, similar to Hanukkah. Three candles are red, which represents struggles. One black candle represents people. And the remaining three green represents the future. These colors represent Pan-African, according to Oxford Living Dictionary’s “Relating to all people of African birth or descent.”

A Youtube video published by BuzzFeed in 2015, “Black People Learn about Kwanzaa,” explains what Kwanzaa is and notes that not all in the black community in America celebrate it.  This week-long celebration starts with a wake-up greeting to one another of “Habari Gani!” which means “what’s up?” or “what is the news?” every morning.

According to officialkwanzaawebsite.org, the eight days celebrate the Nguzo Saba, which is Swahili for “Seven Principles.”

The first day is to celebrate unity. In Swahili, this is said “umoja.” On this day the emphasis in on family, community, nation, and race.

The second day celebrates self-determination, “kujichagullia.” On this day is to bring up the awareness and the importance of empowering voices within.

The third day is collective work and responsibility, or “ujima.” Rather than neglecting and being ignorant, but to support one another to do better as family.

The fourth day, “ujamaa”, meaning cooperative economics. This means to promote the economic growth within communities, benefiting all.

Fifth day is “nia,” means purpose. On this day is to remind the greatness of the root, African traditions and let that flourish.

The sixth day celebrates “kuumba” or creativity. Whenever the circumstances that are to be faced, use whatever means to overcome, being creative in ways to preserve for next generations to come. The emphasis is to leave the community better than what was.

The seventh day celebrates, “imani” or faith. On this day is to remember to keep pursuing to do greater than yesterday and endure for manifestations of better tomorrows.

And the final day everyone comes together to celebrate “karamu” which is a dance that represents African American heritage in the United States.

Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Further information on Kwanzaa, is available at officialkwanzaawebsite.org