On December 26, many African Americans will begin their celebration of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by a man named Dr. Maulana Karenga. It is a festive seven-day celebration of life for African American people, from December 26- January 1. The word “Kwanzaa” is a KiSwahili word meaning first. Kwanzaa uses a candelabra similar to that used for the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah, which is lit each day to highlight the principles of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa has 7 principles that it teaches over the seven-day celebration.
Umoja: Unity
Kujichagulia: Self-Determination
Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility
Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics
Nia: Purpose
Kuumba: Creativity
Imani: Faith
Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday mandated by G-D. However, since 1966 when the Kwanzaa festival was created, it has been healing and has brought unity among African American families. Therefore it has and may continue to be an important celebration.
What I want my people to know now is that our L-rd has heard you/us and has brought us to this day where we can now truly know our G-D given identities as the Hebrew, Israelite, Jewish people. He has already given us an eight-day celebration with a Menorah. He is reintroducing the Hanukkah festival back to us.
So, to answer my question yes, Kwanzaa has been important to our communities?.. but make room for the move of the L-rd Yeshua, Jesus Christ now. He is bringing all things back to us from our Hebrew, Israelite, Jewish culture and healing His people! “Baal Teshuvah,” meaning we are returnees to our culture.
Shalom,
~SAT~
