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Matunda Ya Kwanza • First Fruits

KWANZAA

A celebration rooted in African first-fruits traditions, community, culture, self-determination, collective work, creativity, purpose, and faith.

ROOTSSYMBOLSNGUZO SABAREFLECTION
The Legacy / 01
Kwanzaa — Roots

From first fruits
to living tradition.

Kwanzaa was started by activist, scholar, and professor Dr. Maulana Karenga and was first celebrated in 1966.

The origins of Kwanzaa on the African continent are rooted in agricultural celebrations held across the continent called “The First Fruits” celebrations. It is from these first-fruits celebrations that Kwanzaa gets its name.

First-fruit celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as Ancient Egypt and Nubia and extend into modern times. These celebrations were also seen in other African civilizations and communities including Ashanti land, Yoruba land, Swazi land, the Zulu Empire, and groups such as the Matabele, Thonga, and Lovedu of Southeastern Africa.

ANCIENT EGYPT

Pert-en-Mm

“The Coming Forth of Mn”

ZULU

Umkhosi

SWAZI

Incwala

MATABELE

Inxwala

SOUTHEASTERN AFRICA

Afahye / Odwira

YORUBA

Eje • Oro • Olofin • Odun Ijesu

PAN-AFRICAN

Because the festival of first fruits was practiced throughout Africa across various kingdoms, empires, nations, and peoples, it carried the Pan-African characteristics and qualities that could help build the foundation for an African American holiday.

Cultural Language / 02
Kwanzaa — Symbols

Seven major symbols.
One cultural foundation.

Kwanzaa has seven major symbols, along with many others. Each represents values and concepts that directly reflect African culture connected to first-fruits celebration, community building, and self-reliance.

Mkeka in yellow and black
01

Mkeka

The Mat

Symbolic of our tradition and history—the foundation upon which we build. All symbolic items are placed on top of and/or around the Mkeka.

Mazao Kwanzaa setup
02

Mazao

The Crops

Symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive collective labor with one another.

Three dried corn
03

Muhindi

The Corn

Symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.

Kinara candle holder
04

Kinara

The Candle Holder

Symbolic of our roots, our parents, our ancestors—Continental Africans.

Mishumaa Saba seven candles
05

Mishumaa Saba

The Seven Candles

Symbolic of the Nguzo Saba—the seven principles, the matrix and minimum set of values we are urged to live by as we reconstruct our lives according to our own needs and keep our people strong.

Pan-African flag with red, black and green stripes
06

Bendera

The Flag

The colors—red, black, and green—are symbolic of us as Black people: Red for the struggle, Black for the people, and Green for the future that comes from our struggle and the land. The Bendera is based on the national flag given to us by the Hon. Marcus Garvey.

Nguzo Saba seven principles
07

Nguzo Saba

The Seven Principles

It is these seven principles which give Kwanzaa its core and its seven-day cultural focus.

Nguzo Saba / 03
Explore the Seven Principles

Seven days.
Seven commitments.

01UmojaUnity→ 02KujichaguliaSelf-Determination→ 03UjimaCollective Work & Responsibility→ 04UjamaaCooperative Economics→ 05NiaPurpose→ 06KuumbaCreativity→ 07ImaniFaith→
Reflection / 04
Siku Ya Taamuli

The Day of Meditation.

The last day of Kwanzaa is the first day of the new year—January 1st. Following in the tradition, it is a time to ask and answer soberly and humbly the three Kwaida Questions.

01

Who am I?

02

Am I who I say I am?

03

Am I all I ought to be?

It is a time to recommit ourselves to our highest ideals. In the Akan first-fruit celebration, people engaged in a time of quiet reflection. The idea of this day is to maintain a quiet, humble, and calm attitude with regard to oneself.

Family Practice / 05
Kwanzaa Activities for Children

Teach it.
Make it.
Live it.

01Oral Art of Storytelling
02African / African American Drum & Dance
03Kwanzaa Arts, Crafts, & Decorations
04African American Book Reading
View original Kwanzaa page content

KWANZAA

("Matunda Ya Kwanza" - First Fruits )

The Legacy of Kwanzaa - Roots

Kwanzaa was started by Activist, Scholar, & Professor Dr. Maulana Karenga. First celebrated in 1966.

The origins of Kwanzaa on the African continent are rooted in the agricultural celebrations held across the continent called "The First Fruits" celebrations. It is from these first-fruits celebrations that Kwanzaa gets its name.

The first-fruit celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as Ancient Egypt and Nubia extending into modern times. The First fruits celebrations were also seen in other African civilizations such as:

the Ashanti land, Yoruba land, Swazi land, The Zulu empire, and smaller societal groups like: the Matabele, Thonga, & Lovedu of Southeastern Africa.

The first-fruits celebration went by many names throughout the land. The Ancient Egyptians festival was called "Pert-en-Mm" - The Coming Forth of Mn); The Zulu - "Umkhosi", Swazi - "Incwala", Matabele - "Inxwala" among Southeaster Africa "Afahye" or "Odwira", and among the Yoruba people many names "Eje" , "Oro" , "Olofin" or "Odun Ijesu".

Because the Festival of first-fruits was used throughout Africa across various kingdoms, empires, & nations it had the Pan-African characteristics & qualities to build the foundation an African-American Holiday upon.

KWANZAA - Symbols

Kwanzaa has seven major symbols but there are many more. Each symbol represents values and concepts that directly reflect the African culture related to the celebration of the first fruits, community building and self-reliance.

#1 Mkeka (The Mat)

This is symbolic of our tradition and history. The foundation upon which we build. All symbolic items are placed on top of and/or around the Mkeka

A Mkeka in Yellow and Black Color

#2 Mazao (The Crops)

These are symbolic of the African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive collective labor with one another.

A Mazao Kwanzaa Setup With Candles

#3 Muhindi (The Corn)

This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody

Three Dried Corn on Display on a White Background

#4 Kinara (The Candle Holder)

Symbolic of our roots, our parents, our Ancestors - Continental Africans

Multi Color Candle Set on a Wooden Stand

#5 Mishumaa Saba (The Seven Candles)

Symbolic of the Nguzo Saba - The seven principles, the matrix and the minimum sets of values we are urged to live by to reconstruct our lives according to our own needs. Keeping our people strong

Glowing Candles With Light in the Dark

#6 The Bendera (The Flag)

The Colors of the Bendera (Red, Black & Green) are symbolic of us as black people. Red - For the struggle, Black - For the people, & Green - for the future that comes from our struggle/land.

The Bendera is based on the national flag given to us by the Hon. Marcus Garvey.

A Pan African Flag With Red Black and Green Stripes

#7 The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)

It is these 7 principles which give Kwanzaa its core and seven day cultural focus.

Nguzo Saba Seven Principles List

The Day of Meditation (Siku Ya Taamuli)

The Last day of Kwanzaa is the first day of the new year - January 1st. Following in the tradition, it is for us a time to ask and answer soberly and humbly the three Kwaida Questions:

1) Who am I?
2) Am I who I say I am?
3)Am I all I ought to be ?

It is a time to recommit ourselves to our highest ideals. In the Akan first fruit celebration they simply engaged in a time of quiet reflection. The idea of this day is to maintain a quiet, humble and calm attitude with regard to oneself.

KWANZAA - Activities for the Children

1) Oral Art of Storytelling
2) African / African American Drum & Dance
3) Kwanzaa Arts, Crafts, & Decorations
4) African American Book Reading