Today is the first day of the Kwanzaa Celebration.

In my sister's words, "following the most important religious celebration—the birth of Christ—Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community, self growth, and ancestor remembrance and appriciation."

Wikipedia describes Kwanzaa as "an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in gift-giving and a feast of faith, called Karamu Ya Imani. It was created by Maulana Karenga and first celebrated in 1966."

According to the official Kwanzaa website, Kwanzaa is an African-American and pan-African which celebrates family, community, and culture.  The 2021 theme "Ensuring the well-being of the World", reminds us to be concerned about and to care for those around us. 

Kwanzaa Principles:

• Unity
• Self-Determination
• Collective Work and Responsibility
• Cooperative Economics
• Purpose
• Creativity 
• Faith

 Click Kwanzaa to learn more.

Photo: courtesy of  my sister Zakkyyah Abdullah