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Happy Kwanzaa!

Local Kwanzaa Activities

By Diane Braun December 21, 2021

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu.

Although Kwanzaa is primarily an African American holiday, it has also come to be celebrated outside the United States, particularly in Caribbean and other countries where there are large numbers of descendants of Africans. It was conceived as a nonpolitical and nonreligious holiday, and it is not considered to be a substitute for Christmas.

Each of the days of the celebration is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). There also are seven symbols of the holiday: fruits, vegetables, and nuts; a straw mat; a candleholder; ears of corn (maize); gifts; a communal cup signifying unity; and seven candles in the African colours of red, green, and black, symbolizing the seven principles. On each day the family comes together to light one of the candles in the kinara, or candleholder, and to discuss the principle for the day. On December 31, families join in a community feast called the karamu. Some participants wear traditional African clothing during the celebration.

The Evansville African American Museum has several activities planned to celebrate Kwanzaa.  Go to their website for a list of days and times with descriptions of activities. 

Evansville African American Museum Activities

A weeklong celebration for the whole family!

12/26 ~ 6pm at EAAM: Umoja

12/27 ~ 5pm at CK Newsome Ctr: Kujichagulia

12/28 ~ 2pm at New Hope Bapt: Ujima

12/29 ~ 2pm at Zion Bapt Church: Ujamaa

12/31 ~ 2pm at EAAM: Kuumba