by JP1967 on November 30th, 2003

JP1967

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What exactly is Kwanzaa?

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  • by EL1 2 on December 26th, 2006

    EL1 2

    From the official Kwanzaa website, I quote: "

    Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from 26 December thru 1 January, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.

    The first-fruits celebrations are recorded in African history as far back as ancient Egypt and Nubia and appear in ancient and modern times in other classical African civilizations such as Ashantiland and Yorubaland. These celebrations are also found in ancient and modern times among societies as large as empires (the Zulu or kingdoms (Swaziland) or smaller societies and groups like the Matabele, Thonga and Lovedu, all of southeastern Africa. Kwanzaa builds on the five fundamental activities of Continental African "first fruit" celebrations: ingathering; reverence; commemoration; recommitment; and celebration."

    Here's the entire description: http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/origins1.shtml - and also make sure to see the rest of the website... it is quite interesting.

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    • ofcourse its from their site ran by ppl with the same mind as its creator a man arrested 4 times for tortureing people. dont forget to tell them that aswell.or how bout the fact no africans know of this holiday cause it is fake and made up

      Kelban

      by Kelban on December 15th, 2010

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