Kwanzaa: A Celebration of African and African-American Heritage, Culture and Community

Kwanzaa is a week-long cultural holiday from December 26 to January 1 that celebrates African heritage and values within the African American community. Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga established this non-religious observance in 1966 following the Watts Riots as a way to reconnect African Americans with their cultural roots and promote collective achievement over individualism. The celebration draws its name and inspiration from African harvest festivals, though it adapts these agricultural traditions to emphasize community-building principles relevant to modern life.