History of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966 as a non heroic, non religious, cultural holiday for African-American. Kwanzaa grew out of the dynamic decade of the 1960s, which witnessed African Americans turning to Africa as a source of inspiration and cultural grounding, identity, and models. Resultantly, blacks in America took on African names, dress (dashikis) hairstyles (the Natural), and African cultural practices (languages and rituals).
The name Kwanzaa was derived from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza“, meaning “first fruits”. The “first-fruits celebrations were observed as far back as ancient Egypt and Nubia and was celebrated in classical African civilizations such as Ashantiland and Yorubaland. The “first-fruits” celebrations were also observed in ancient and modern times among societies as large as the Zulu and Swaziland empires as well as in smaller societies like the Matabele, Thonga and Lovedu.
In 1966 US Organization held the first Kwanzaa celebration in Los Angeles at the home of one of its members. The celebration and program included the children in US Organization. Because there were seven children and each child was to represent one of the letters of Kwanza (“matunda ya kwanza“), an additional a was added to Kwanza(a) to ensure that all of children were included in the Kwanzaa program and celebration, and to show the value which US Organization placed on children. Hence, this is how the holiday acquired its spelling.
From the small celebration in 1966, Kwanzaa grew by leaps and bounds and is now celebrated by millions across America. Both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush issued presidential messages on Kwanzaa. The U.S. Postal Service issued the first 32 cent stamp designed by self-taught artist Synthia Saint James for Kwanzaa in October 22, 1997. From its humble beginnings in 1966, Kwanzaa is now a recognized throughout the United States and in many parts of the world as African American cultural holiday and celebration.
