Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa At Wisconsin Black Historical Society/Museum

Monday, December 26th

Program starts at 6pm
Doors Open at 5pm
Umoja-Unity
Opening and Traditional Ceremonies
2620 West Center street
Free and Open to the Public
In-person

WHAT IS KWANZAA?

Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, as a way to unite the community following the Watts Rebellion. Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili.

Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. Each night, a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed.

Kwanzaa Principles

  1. Umoja (Unity): To strive for and to maintain unity in the family and community.

  2. Kujichagulia (Self-determination): To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.

  3. Ujima (Collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.

  4. Ujamaa (Cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

  5. Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

  6. Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

  7. Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

THE 7 KWANZAA SYMBOLS

  1. Kikombe cha Umoja – Unity cup

  2. Kinara – Candleholder which represents the roots of the community and culture

  3. Mazao – Fruits and vegetables representing crops

  4. Mishumaa Saba – Seven Kwanzaa candles which represent the Nguzo Saba as they are lit

  5. Mkeka – Straw mat represents the foundation of the culture and history of the people

  6. Muhindi – Ears of corn to represent each child in the home and an additional ear for future blessings and generations

  7. Zawadi – Gifts traditionally given on Imani, the last day of Kwanzaa

Other Kwanzaas around Milwaukee

Thursday 12/29/2022

Ujamaa
Africans on The Move
WAAW 3020 W. Vliet St.
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Friday 12/30/2022

Nia
Milwaukee African Drum & Dance
WAAW 3020 Vliet St.
5:00pm – 8:00pm

Saturday 12/31/2022

Kuumba
Cromwellness Center 3353 N M.L. King Dr.
5pm

Sunday 1/1/2023

Imani
WAAW 3020 W. Vliet St.
12pm to 5pm