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Kwanzaa's name is derived from the Swahili phrase 'Matunda ya Kwanzaa' which translates to 'first fruits of the harvest'.
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Kwanzaa is represented by three colors - red, green, and black.
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The Kwanzaa color red symbolizes the bloodshed in the African people's struggle for freedom.
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The Kwanzaa color green symbolizes Africa's fertile land.
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The Kwanzaa color black symbolizes the people.
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Kwanzaa has seven principles called Nguzo Saba. These include Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani.
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Umoja is the principle of unity - in the family and in the community.
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Kujichagulia is the principle of self-determination - responsibility in one's community as well as speaking for onself.
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Ujima is the principle of responsibility and collective work - building and maintaining one's community.
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Ujamaa is the principle of cooperative economics - building and maintaining businesses.
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Nia is the principle of purpose - developing and building goals that will benefit the community's people.
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Kuumba is the principle of creativity - making a more beneficial and beautiful community for future generations.
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Imani is the principle of faith - believing in the community's leaders, teachers, parents, and people.
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Kwanzaa is seven days long and on each day a candle is lit and one of the seven principles are discussed.
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The candle holder of Kwanzaa is called a kinara. It has a black candle in the middle with three green candles on the left and three red candles on the right.
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Kwanzaa has seven symbols including Mazao, Mkeka, Vibunzi, Mishumoa Saba, Kinara, Kikombe Cha Umoja, and Zawadi.
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Mazao is the symbol for vegetables, nuts, and fruits, to remind people of the harvest that fed and nourished Africa's people.
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The Mkeka is a mat where the symbols of Kwanzaa are placed upon. It is often made of African cloth or straw.
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The Vibunzi is an ear of corn, meant to represent fertility with one ear of corn placed on the Mkeka for every child in the family.
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Mishumoa Saba is name for the seven candles of Kwanzaa representing the seven principles.
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The Kinara is the candleholder that holds the seven candles of Kwanzaa, meant to symbolize corn branching off, similar to family branching off to form new family units.
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The Kikombe Cha Umoja is a unity cup that people drink from to honor ancestors.
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The Zawadi are the gifts that are given on January 1st - the last day of Kwanzaa. Gifts given on this day should encourage self-determination, growth, success, and achievement for the person receiving the gifts.
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