Kwanzaa is an
African-American and pan-African holiday
that celebrates family, community and culture. … Kwanzaa, which starts December 26 and ends January 1, is also grouped into the holiday festivities. Hanukkah. Called the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration.
“Thus, Africans of all faiths can and do celebrate Kwanzaa, i.e.
Muslims, Christians, Black Hebrews, Jews, Buddhists, Baha'i and Hindus
, as well as those who follow the ancient traditions of Maat, Yoruba, Ashanti, Dogon, etc.” According to Karenga
Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration that has roots in African harvest celebrations rather than a particular religion. However, the
festival shares similarities with the symbols and values of Christmas and Hanukkah
. All three are celebratory festivals of light that fall at a time when daylight hours are shorter.
What comes first Hanukkah or Kwanzaa?
Hanukkah
: This is the first holiday to start during the month of December. It began Sunday night and goes until the night of Monday, December 10. … Kwanzaa: This holiday happens each year from December 26 to January 1 and is a cultural holiday rather than a religious one, traditionally celebrated by African-Americans.
What holiday is similar to Hanukkah?
Thanksgivukkah
is a holiday name portmanteau neologism given to the convergence of the American holiday of Thanksgiving and the first day (and second night) of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah on Thursday, November 28, 2013.
What do the 7 candles in Kwanzaa stand for?
‘ The seven candles (Mishumaa Saba): These represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa –
unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith
. ‘ The gifts (Zawadi): Presents symbolize parents' love and labor of parents and the commitments of children.
What is Kwanzaa food?
Main dishes are always the highlight of dinner. For your Kwanzaa meal, try African creole,
Cajun catfish
, jerk chicken, or Groundnut stew, a tasty dish from West Africa. For your side we've got many traditional Kwanzaa recipes, including Jollof rice, collard greens, Kwanzaa slaw, grits, beans and rice, and okra.
Does Kwanzaa use a menorah?
Doesn't Kwanzaa use a menorah
or candelabrum? A kinara (seven-branched candleholder) is used in Kwanzaa celebrations. Some confuse it with a menorah, which is used in Hanukkah celebrations. “Candelabrum” is a generic name for a branched candlestick.
How is Kwanzaa like Christmas?
Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration that has roots in African harvest celebrations rather than a particular religion. However, the
festival shares similarities with the symbols and values of Christmas and Hanukkah
. All three are celebratory festivals of light that fall at a time when daylight hours are shorter.
Why is Kwanzaa so similar to Hanukkah?
In Hanukkah
the light from the candles is significant
; in Kwanzaa so are the red, black and green colors of the candles. 2. Hanukkah is steeped in the Jewish religion, whereas Kwanzaa does not have a religious base and is spiritual in nature.
Why does Kwanzaa have a menorah?
Early enthusiasts wanted to distance themselves from Christmas and Christianity, which some saw as a white religion. In Hanukkah, each candle on the candelabra represents a day of the holiday; in Kwanzaa, each
stands for a life principle
. … And so the first Kwanzaa menorah, or kinara, was born.
What is a Kwanzaa menorah?
The kinara is
a seven-branched candleholder used
in Kwanzaa celebrations in the United States.
What order do you light the Kwanzaa candles?
Put your candles in the kinara
.
The black candle goes in the middle, with three red candles to the left and three green candles to the right. You'll replace each one you burn daily. The colors have symbolic meanings.
What color is Kwanzaa?
The colors of Kwanzaa are a reflection of the Pan-African movementrepresenting “unity” for peoples of African descent worldwide: Black for the people, red for the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, and green for the rich land of Africa.
What are the 3 primary symbols of Kwanzaa?
The primary symbols of Kwanzaa are the
seven candles (Mishumaa Sabaa)
, which represent the seven principles (more on that below), the candle holder (Kinara), unity cup (Kikombe cha Umoja), placemat (Mkeka), crops (Mazao
What is the real meaning of Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that means
“first”
and signifies the first fruits of the harvest. … One of these is the celebration of the harvest. At this time of the year, people of the community/village come together to celebrate and give thanks for their good fortune.
