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Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration of African cultural roots , kinsfolk , and community from December 26 - January 1 .
Growing up , I often hear Kwanzaa and Christmas discussed as if they were mutually exclusive ( e.g. , “ I do n’t celebrate Kwanzaa because I celebrate Christmas . ” ) , but in reality , quite the diametrical is reliable . Christmas is a religious holiday , whileKwanzaa is a secular , cultural holidaycreated in 1966 . Neither delete out the other . I celebrate both holidays because both represent core parts of who I am .
Riche Holmes Grant with her daughter Riley.Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
Kwanzaa is a weeklong solemnisation of African cultural beginning , kinfolk , and residential area from December 26 - January 1 . The wordKwanzaameans “ first fruits of the harvest”in Swahili .
The Seven Principles
The Kwanzaa holiday is built on seven core principles known as theNguzo Saba :
•Umoja(unity )
•Kujichagulia(self - determination )
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
•Ujima(collective work and province )
•Ujamaa(cooperative economics )
•Nia(purpose )
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
•Kuumba(creativity )
•Imani(faith )
Although Kwanzaa is celebrated among people of the African diaspora worldwide , it ’s most pop in the United States .
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
Our Kwanzaa Family Story
Kwanzaa became an official holiday in our home in 2016 , thanks to my daughter , Riley , who ’s now 8 . That year , she pop pay heed an Afrocentric school that celebrates Kwanzaa , and it was important to us that we maintain continuity between what she learned in shoal and what we did at abode . Each class since then , we ’ve invited our protracted family and friends from diverse backgrounds to observe our version of Kwanzaa in our domicile , which we lovingly call Grant Central .
Since Kwanzaa starts on December 26 , the dayspring after our bigChristmas dinner , I ’m up early clearing out my traditional tartan decor and snow - compensate garlands to make elbow room for Kwanzaa symbolisation on the kitchen buffet and my Kwanzaa tablescape on the independent tabular array .
The Seven Symbols
Themkeka(straw mat ) is placed first to constitute the secure foundation and traditions upon which everything rest . On top of themkeka , I come in thekinara , a wooden candelabrum that harbour themishumaa saba , seven candlesthat each represent a dissimilar principle of Kwanzaa . The carmine , black , and green colouration of the candle represent the people of the African diaspora , our blood , and our hope for the future , respectively .
Thekikombe cha umoja(unity cup ) symbolizes unity among family , friends , and ancestors . Themazao(crops ) represent the fruits of our collective labor . Each capitulum of themuhindi(corn ) represent a child in our home ( we include both Riley and my one - year - old nephew , Clay ) and the promise they give us for the future .
Zawadi(gifts ) is the 7th symbol , which is always culturally meaningful and often homemade . Traditionally , thezawadiexchange is allow for the end of Kwanzaa , but at Grant Central , we let Riley open her Kwanzaazawadialong with her other gift on Christmas Day .
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
In addition to the Kwanzaa symbol , I incorporate my Kwanzaa palm idea on and near the buffet , admit handmade raffia handbasket , hand - cut up sculptures , and goatskin drum .
When advert a Kwanzaa celebration , consider bring cultural Scripture , African - inspired artwork , or decorative items with African theme as paying attention gifts .
The Celebration
We set about each night of our Kwanzaa solemnization with a tympan call summon everyone into one elbow room . We recognize each other by asking,“Habari gani?”(“What ’s the news ? ” ) and react with the principle of the day . Next , we pullulate libation ( water ) from the integrity cup into a works as we call out the gens of our loved ones who have pass away to respect their memories and affirm their continued presence in our hearts .
On the first nighttime of Kwanzaa , we get off the blackUmojacandle in the middle , typify the principle of unity . During this time , everyone is give the chance to reflect on what the principle intend to them . On the subsequent nights , we repeat this process , alternate between red and green cd for the remaining six Kwanzaa principles .
Traditionally , the culminating event of Kwanzaa takes space on December 31 in the form of a prominent feast love as thekaramu . But , because the holiday are a busy time for our stretch out kinsperson and Friend , our Grant Centralkaramugenerally occurs on any eventide that work well for everyone ’s schedule .
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
The Table
As someone who loves entertaining in a beautiful place setting with great food for thought , thekaramuis my favorite part of our Kwanzaa solemnisation . My tablescape of Kwanzaa decoration ideas are inspired by the blood-red and black Kwanzaa taper , and the Au accents are a nod to the fertile history of Africa .
The centerpiece is a statue ofChiwara , an antelope believed by the Bambara citizenry of Mali to constitute the tone that taught humans the basics of agriculture , especially meet for the table given the“first fruits”definition of Kwanzaa .
The handmade mudcloth and catch on runner and batik os serviette rings ( Reflektion Design ) are extra elements that I used to place traditional craftsmanship within a modern-day context . The organic bound of the plates and the down-to-earth grain of the rattan placemats fetch a fashionable warmth to the table too .
Though it vary from twelvemonth to class , ourKwanzaa menualways features a curated collection of dishes that represent different culinary art within the African diaspora .
Riche Holmes Grant
My grandmother did n’t keep Kwanzaa , but I ’m so thankful that I can honor her memory and those of my African ancestors when my family celebrates our adaptation at Grant Central .
On January 1 , the last day of Kwanzaa , I pay court to my enate grandmother by whipping up a large passel ofblack - eyed peasto continue the Southern custom of eating them on New Year ’s Day to bring good luck in the coming year .
Riche Holmes Grant is a room decorator and the creator behindThe Riche Lifeweb series . She splits her metre between the Washington , D.C. area and Los Angeles with her husband and daughter .
