Remember When: Celebrating the First Kwanzaa

On December 26, 1966, Kwanzaa was first celebrated in the West Adams neighborhood of Los Angeles. Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor at California State University, Long Beach, created the holiday to celebrate African American culture and heritage. He called it Kwanzaa, which means "first fruits" in Swahili.

Karenga and a small group of friends and family gathered in his home for the first Kwanzaa celebration. They lit the candles of the kinara, a seven-branched candelabra, and discussed the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The principles, called the Nguzo Saba, are values of African culture that contribute to building and reinforcing community among African Americans. These values include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, economic cooperation, purpose, creativity and faith.Karenga and his family and friends shared a feast and exchanged gifts.

The holiday is celebrated over seven evenings. The family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the kinara and one of the seven principles is discussed. An African feast, called a Karamu, is held on December 31.

Kwanzaa quickly gained popularity in the African American community. It was seen as a way to reclaim African culture and traditions that had been lost during the slave trade. It was also a way to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and to look forward to a brighter future.

Today, Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions of people around the world. It is a time for families to come together and share their culture and traditions. It is also a time to reflect on the past and to look forward to the future.

Photo credit: BBC