The Feast of Kwanza began the day after Christmas on December 26.
On each night, a candle is lit to observe the nguzo saba, the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
The principles of Kwanzaa are:
- Umoja (unity)
- Kujichagulia (self-determination),
- Ujima (collective work and responsibility),
- Ujamaa (cooperative economics),
- Nia (purpose),
- Kuumba (creativity)
- Imani (faith)
Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Korenga in 1966. The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase that means “first fruits of the harvest”