After getting caught up in the joy of gift-giving + gathering around the tree yesterday, it’s easy to forget that not everyone celebrates Christmas this time of year. Today marks the first night of Kwanzaa – a weeklong celebration of African culture + tradition.

What’s the story of Kwanzaa?

💚 Kwanzaa comes from the phrase “matunda ya kwanza” which is Swahili for “first fruits.” How did the celebration of Kwanzaa begin?

🖤 Kwanzaa was started in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and Chairman of Black Studies at California State University, in response to the Watts riots in Los Angeles, C.A. and to celebrate unity + community in African culture. Aided by Sister Makenya of Oakland, CA, Dr. Karenga combined several different aspects from various African “first fruit” (or harvest) celebrations to form Kwanzaa.

How is it celebrated?

❤️ Kwanzaa is celebrated differently in each family, but most celebrations include songs, dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry readings + a large, traditional meal together.

🖤 Kwanzaa lasts for seven nights (Dec. 26-Jan. 1) – with each night representing a different principle. Families gather together to discuss the principle of the night, and a child lights a candle on the “Kinara.”

💚 The African feast, “Karamu” is on Dec. 31

❤️ On the 7th day, meaningful – traditionally handmade – gifts are exchanged.

**What do the seven core principles (or Nguzo Saba) mean?**

Night 1 | black candle | Symbol: Mazao or the crops | Principle: Umoja (oo-MO-jah) or unity (in the family, community, nation + race)

Night 2 | red candle | Mkeka or place mat | Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) or self-determination (Define, create + speak for yourself.)

Night 3 | green candle | Vibunzi or ear of corn | Ujima (oo-GEE-mah) or collective work + responsibility (Build + sustain community together, solving each other’s problems.)

Night 4 | red candle | Mishumaa Saba or The Seven Candles | Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) or cooperative economics (Develop + manage stores, shops + businesses; sharing profit together.)

Night 5 | green candle | Kinara or The Candleholder | Nia (nee-YAH) or purpose (One’s purpose is to grow + strengthen community to maintain African people’s traditional greatness.)

Night 6 | red candle | Kikombe Cha Umoja or The Unity Cup | Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) or creativity (Work to make the community more beautiful + beneficial than it was before.)

Night 7 | green candle | Zawadi or gifts | Imani (ee-MAH-nee) or faith (Believing in your people, parents, teachers, leaders + the righteousness of the community’s struggle.)

How to celebrate locally

Order dessert, or attend a community celebration with your loved ones in Asheville.

Smallcakes Cupcakery + Creamery | Food | 33 Town Square Blvd. | 276-2711 | This African-American owned bakery offers a variety of cupcake flavors + sizes for Kwanzaa and other festive occasions. Protip: We hear the jumbo butter pecan cakes are amazing.

However you’re celebrating this holiday season (Kwanzaa, Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, a couple days off work, a vacation...), I hope you’re surrounded by loved ones + taking a well-deserved break from that Asheville hustle.

Happy Kwanzaa, Asheville.

– Stephanie + the AVLtoday team