Holiday Celebration Cultural Awareness Series | Kwanzaa Day 1

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[VIDEO DESC: Moni’, an African American female, is wearing a black shirt. Behind her is a blue background.]

Hello! Happy Kwanzaa is starting today, December 26th, 2020!!! Oh wait! What is Kwanzaa??? Oh, Let me explain!

[SLIDE shows content: What is Kwanzaa?]

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1. It was created by Dr. Manulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of Africa. Including West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.

[VIDEO DESC: Ayisha, a biracial female, is wearing a black top. Behind her is a blue background with curtains.]

The reason that Dr. Manulana Karenga felt a need to start a brand new holiday was because he felt that African Americans that lived outside of the continent of Africa were detached from the values and the culture of the continent of Africa and He wanted them to feel good about themselves and to have something that they could connect to make their lives better.

[VIDEO DESC: Alise, an African American female, is wearing a v-neck taupe top. Behind her is a blue background.]

Kwanzaa is actually derived from a Kiswahili word meaning first harvesting all through the continent of Africa and many other places people celebrate. The harvest they give thanks for the harvest so Kwanzaa really means first fruits or harvest time.

[VIDEO DESC: Ashley, an African American female, is wearing a sage colored top. Behind her is a black background.]

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday. It’s a cultural holiday which means that you can celebrate whatever your tradition is and still enjoy Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is observed a day after Christmas which means you could still celebrate Christmas from December 26 all the way through January 1st New Year’s Day.

[Slide shows content:
The colors of Black, Red and green colors define
Black means representing the people
Red means representing the blood
Green means representing Earth or the hard work that you do]

[VIDEO DESC: Moni’, an African American female, is wearing a black shirt. Behind her is a blue background.]

Come join us to celebrate Today for 7 days from December 26th 2020 to January 1st 2021!

[Slide shows content: DAY 1
December 26th 2020]

[VIDEO DESC: Alise, an African American female, is wearing a v-neck taupe top. Behind her is a blue background.]

Happy Kwanzaa!!!! Umoja – Unity (To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.)

Mazao: Crops – Mazao symbolizes the fruits of collective planning and work, and the resulting joy, sharing, unity and thanksgiving part of African harvest festivals. To demonstrate mazao, people place nuts, fruits, and vegetables, representing work, on the mkeka.

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