LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Every year on Dec. 26, the annual commemoration of African-American culture that is Kwanzaa begins. A holiday full of music, dancing, stories, lights, food and unity

What You Need To Know

  •  Kwanzaa is a Swahili word meaning “first fruits”. It refers to the first harvest celebrations in Africa, which dates back to ancient Egypt

  • Dr. Jackson-Brown said Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to unite, preserve, revitalize, and promote African American culture

  • Kwanzaa begins Dec. 26 and continues until Jan. 1. 

Founder of G.I.V.E Global Interventions Adventures in Education and coordinator of the Louisville Kwanzaa Festival, Dr. Angela Jackson-Brown prepared her table for the Kwanzaa festivities. She said everything has a meaning. The kinara or candle holder symbolizes the foundation, red candles stand for the blood. The black candle stands for the people, and the green candles stand for the land. Dr. Jackson-Brown says lighting each candle represents a principle.

“And that is Umoja. Which is for unity. Ujima, which is for collective work and responsibility. Kujichagulia [is] self-determination. And then we go to the right over here, and we will light the green-the foundation on which we stand.. Ujamaa and then we have Nia-purpose. And then we have faith is so important that the people have faith. And that’s Imani,” said Dr. Jackson-Brown 

According to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, Kwanzaa is a Swahili word meaning “first fruits”. It refers to the first harvest celebrations in Africa, which dates back to ancient Egypt. 

“The bountiful, the land, the ability to produce the sustenance that feeds us, that nourishes us. So we have everything from the coconut superfoods to the dragon fruit, the kiwi, mangoes, bananas,” added Jackson-Brown 

Dr. Jackson-Brown said Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga to unite, preserve, revitalize, and promote African American culture after the Watts Rebellion in 1965.

“The sense of community, this sense of coming together, sharing, elevating in a joyous, fun way. Harambee means let’s pull together unity, community creation, good food, music, dance and the collective community. Intergenerational,” said Jackson-Brown 

Dr. Jackson-Brown said she has practiced Kwanzaa all over the country and hopes to continue to educate others on the African American and Pan-African holiday.

Kwanzaa begins on Dec. 26 continues until Jan. 1, 2025. Those interested can celebrate the last two days of Kwanzaa at the Louisville Kwanzaa Festival at Roots 101 Museum on Dec. 29 and 30.