Q&A for How to Celebrate Kwanzaa

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What artistic performances could I do?

Community Answer

You could play an instrument, do a dance, read a poem you wrote or that was written by someone else, or sing a song about your heritage, culture, or ancestors.

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What is a mkeka mat?

Community Answer

A traditional straw or woven textile mat, called a mkeka, is one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa. Those who celebrate Kwanzaa view the mkeka as the base for the other six symbols of Kwanzaa, representing the idea that nothing can be built without having a foundation upon which to rest.

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Can I still put up a Christmas tree if my new spouse wants to celebrate Kwanzaa with me and my children?

Community Answer

Sure! You can decorate it with red, black and green so that it will be more Kwanzaa-like.

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Question

What do the candles stand for?

Community Answer

The red candles stand for struggles, the green stand for hope, and the black represents the African people.

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Question

What do I do on the second day of Kwanzaa?

Community Answer

The second day is about self-determination. Talk with family about what that means and looks like to you. Do an activity that requires determination from everyone. Discuss your ancestors and people of color who were/are self-determined and successful.

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What do I give on the first day of Kwanzaa?

Community Answer

Umoja is not about giving, but more about coming together as one community. Usually, the Unity cup is shared by all in the room. Harambee (Swahili for unity) is chanted 7 times.

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Question

What should I wear during a Kwanzaa celebration?

Community Answer

Wear traditional African clothing, especially dashikis and African-print dresses and headdresses.

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Question

Can Kwanza be celebrated in any part of the world, even if I am not African American?

Community Answer

Yes, anyone anywhere in the world can celebrate Kwanzaa, there are no restrictions.

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Question

Where can the candle holder, communal cup and other items used to celebrate Kwanzaa be purchased?

Community Answer

Try searching on amazon.com or eBay to purchase these items.

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Question

Do the candles stay lit for the seven days?

Naomi Keglovitz-Haynes

Community Answer

The candles must stay lit for the seven days, but you can decide when you would like to take them down after the seven days are over.

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How can I celebrate Kwanzaa in Uganda?

Community Answer

Kwanzaa is an African American holiday, not African, but connects African Americans to their African roots. Consider inviting Ugandan people to perform, share art, etc.

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Can I celebrate Kwanzaa if I'm only half black?

Community Answer

Yeah! Kwanzaa is just a way to celebrate African American culture and history, anyone at all can take part.

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Question

What kind of gift should I give if I don't celebrate Kwanzaa, but my family does?

Community Answer

Give any type of gift from the heart. Just make sure that it goes with the holiday so you don't give your family and/or friends something offensive.

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Question

Can other races celebrate Kwanzaa?

Donna Moore Clifton

Community Answer

Yes. The Unity Principle brings in the idea of unifying the whole earth and all that is in it, making all who want to partake in these principals eligible to participate.

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Question

Is Kwanzaa a religious holiday?

Community Answer

No, it's a cultural holiday. This means that it celebrates the culture of people of African descent, rather than having any religious purpose.

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Question

My family is white, but I have South African roots. Is it appropriate for us to celebrate Kwanzaa?

Community Answer

Yes! Anyone can celebrate Kwanzaa.

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Question

Can I celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas?

Community Answer

Yes! As it says in the article's intro, Kwanzaa is a cultural rather than religious ceremony, so the two can be celebrated alongside one another.

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Question

Who do people honor during Kwanzaa?

Community Answer

You honor your ancestors. You call on them to guide you and your family. You talk to the family about your ancestors, especially the younger generation. Share your family stories or memories, good and bad. Honor love, honor family.

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Question

What is the pledge of blackness for Kwanzaa?

Community Answer

We pledge allegiance of the red, black and green, Our flag, the symbol of our eternal struggle, and to the land we must obtain. One nation of Black people, with one God for us all, totally united in the struggle for Black Love, Black Freedom, and Black determination.

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Question

Why do they call it Kwanzaa?

Nexapoy673

Community Answer

Kwanza is a Swahili word meaning 'first' and comes from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" meaning 'first fruits'.

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Question

Is this celebration a type of religion? Like, Christmas we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Nico

Top Answerer

Kwanzaa, which begins on December 26 and lasts seven days, is a seven-day celebration of community, family, and culture that was created to help African Americans reconnect with their African roots and heritage. It is not regarded as a religious holiday.

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Question

What gift is given on the seventh day of Kwanzaa?

Nico

Top Answerer

Kuumba. Kuumba, which means "creativity," is highly valued and promotes self-satisfaction. The presents are frequently exchanged between adults and children and are traditionally given out on January 1st, Kwanzaa's concluding day.

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Question

If I am not African-American, can I still celebrate Kwanzaa?

Nico

Top Answerer

Yes. Anyone can celebrate Kwanzaa, but it’s usually observed by African-Americans. Kwanzaa doesn’t discriminate. Many cultures celebrate the holiday, such as Carribean-American.

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Is fasting a part of Kwanzaa?

Nico

Top Answerer

Yes. Fasting, or abstaining from food, is a common practice during Kwanzaa to cleanse the mind, soul, and spirit.

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Question

Can you celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa?

Ruby

Top Answerer

Yes. While Christmas is a religious holiday, Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not tied to any religion.

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Question

What does Kwanzaa mean?

Ruby

Top Answerer

Kwanzaa is a Kiswahili word meaning 'fruit of the harvest'. It is called this because first fruit festivals take place at this time of year in South Africa.

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Question

Why only these colors?

Ruby

Top Answerer

They are symbolic. The red represents the struggle of the Africans, the green represents hope and the black represents the African diaspora.

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