Many families will soon be putting away the stockings, ornaments, and hanukiahs and closing out the year by displaying their Kwanzaa Kinara. If you're asking, “What is Kwanzaa?” and have questions about the holiday — whether it's ideas on how to celebrate Kwanzaa, when it takes place or how it fits into Black history — you've come to the right place! We're breaking everything down, discussing how the holiday came to be, learning who celebrates, and discovering the ways in which Kwanzaa can be observed.
What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa celebrations will continue to evolve
There are quite a few misconceptions about the Kwanzaa holiday, which is understandable as it's relatively new and not as widely celebrated as the other winter holidays.
What many don't realize is that there are no set Kwanzaa traditions. Often the way people celebrate is a combination of personal preference and snippets from West African culture. This is the beauty of the holiday; it can be whatever we want it to be.
As the desire for a sense of togetherness and connection in the Black continues to grow, especially in the wake of recent events of the last few years, it's likely that Kwanzaa will continue to gain in popularity.
"When our ancestors landed in the Americas, languages, and cultures were lost. We are descendants of survivors. The truth is, Kwanzaa doesn’t need a traditional menu, and its celebrations and rituals can be elaborate or minimal," Kwanzaa Culinarians founder, Sanura Weathers wrote in Simply Recipes. "The people who celebrate it are reconnecting to their African heritage and sharing their varied experiences."
