What is Kwanzaa? Meaning, dates, the seven principles and symbols

The short answer: What is Kwanzaa? Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African American culture, family and community, held every year from December 26 to January 1. Each day honors one of seven principles, and families light one candle a day on a candle holder called a kinara.

This guide explains where Kwanzaa came from, what the principles and symbols mean, and simple ways to celebrate at home.

Planning a celebration? The Holiday Season Bundle holds menus, grocery lists and to-dos, and the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner works for any winter holiday gift budget.

Kwanzaa at a glance

The history of Kwanzaa

Britannica's entry on Kwanzaa explains that the holiday was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor and activist. He wanted a holiday that would help African Americans connect with their African roots and with each other.

Karenga based Kwanzaa on African harvest festivals. That is why the name comes from a Swahili phrase about first fruits, and why crops and corn are part of the table. Today Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions of people in the United States and beyond.

The seven principles of Kwanzaa

The seven principles are called the Nguzo Saba. Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one.

1. December 26, Umoja (unity): staying together as a family and community.
2. December 27, Kujichagulia (self-determination): defining and speaking for ourselves.
3. December 28, Ujima (collective work and responsibility): solving problems together.
4. December 29, Ujamaa (cooperative economics): building and supporting shared businesses.
5. December 30, Nia (purpose): working toward goals that lift the community.
6. December 31, Kuumba (creativity): leaving the community better and more beautiful.
7. January 1, Imani (faith): believing in our people, families and teachers.

Each evening, families often light a candle and talk about what the day's principle means in their own lives.

The seven symbols of Kwanzaa

• Mkeka (mat): the base for everything else, standing for tradition and history.
• Kinara (candle holder): holds the seven candles and represents ancestors.
• Mishumaa saba (seven candles): three red, three green and one black in the center.
• Mazao (crops): fruits and vegetables for the harvest.
• Muhindi (corn): one ear of corn for each child in the family.
• Kikombe cha umoja (unity cup): shared to honor ancestors.
• Zawadi (gifts): small gifts, often handmade or educational, for children.

The black candle stands for the people, the red candles for the struggle, and the green candles for the future and hope. For ideas on setting up the table, see our Kwanzaa decorations guide.

How to celebrate Kwanzaa at home

You don't need a big budget to celebrate Kwanzaa. A few simple steps make it meaningful.

1. Set up the table. Lay out the mat, kinara, crops, corn and unity cup.
2. Light a candle each night. Start with the black candle on December 26, then alternate red and green. For more on this topic, see our Hanukkah and Kwanzaa ideas.
3. Talk about the principle. Share a story or an example from your own week.
4. Hold a Karamu feast. On December 31, cook a big meal with family and friends.
5. Give meaningful gifts. Books, art supplies and handmade items fit the spirit. Our Kwanzaa gifts list has more ideas.
6. Support Black-owned businesses. This puts Ujamaa, or cooperative economics, into action.

Kwanzaa greetings

During Kwanzaa, people often greet each other with "Habari gani?" which means "What's the news?" in Swahili. The answer is the principle of the day. On December 26, for example, you would answer "Umoja." "Happy Kwanzaa" and "Joyous Kwanzaa" are common in cards and messages, too.

Kwanzaa and other December holidays

Kwanzaa often overlaps with Christmas and the new year, and sometimes with Hanukkah. Because it is cultural, many families celebrate it alongside other holidays. If your December is full, a simple plan helps. Write down the dates, meals and gifts for each celebration in one place so nothing gets missed. You can learn more about other winter celebrations in our guide to Christmas traditions around the world.