# 4434 FDC - 2009 44c Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa
Issue Date: October 9, 2009
City: New York, NY
On December 26, 1966, Maulana Karenga celebrated the first Kwanzaa.
In 1965, a deadly riot rocked a largely African-American neighborhood in Los Angeles, leaving 34 dead and 1,000 injured. Professor of Black Studies and former activist Maulana Karenga was disturbed by the violence. He wanted to help the African American community overcome the despair this riot, and ones like it, had caused. Karenga was then inspired by the African harvest celebrations to establish his own non-religious holiday that would stress the importance of family and community.
With its fusion of ancient African practices and African-American ideals and aspirations, Kwanzaa is a non-denominational celebration. It is seen as a time for the gathering of families, and for rededication to the seven principles of Nguzo Saba, a set of values as expressed by Karenga.
During each evening of the seven-day holiday, family members light one of the seven candles of the kinara (candleholder), and then discuss that day’s principle. The first is the black candle in the center, which symbolizes African people everywhere. Three red candles, representing the blood of ancestors, are on the left. Three green candles, symbolizing the earth, life, and promise for the future, are on the right.
Kwanzaa
Issue Date: October 9, 2009
City: New York, NY
On December 26, 1966, Maulana Karenga celebrated the first Kwanzaa.
In 1965, a deadly riot rocked a largely African-American neighborhood in Los Angeles, leaving 34 dead and 1,000 injured. Professor of Black Studies and former activist Maulana Karenga was disturbed by the violence. He wanted to help the African American community overcome the despair this riot, and ones like it, had caused. Karenga was then inspired by the African harvest celebrations to establish his own non-religious holiday that would stress the importance of family and community.
With its fusion of ancient African practices and African-American ideals and aspirations, Kwanzaa is a non-denominational celebration. It is seen as a time for the gathering of families, and for rededication to the seven principles of Nguzo Saba, a set of values as expressed by Karenga.
During each evening of the seven-day holiday, family members light one of the seven candles of the kinara (candleholder), and then discuss that day’s principle. The first is the black candle in the center, which symbolizes African people everywhere. Three red candles, representing the blood of ancestors, are on the left. Three green candles, symbolizing the earth, life, and promise for the future, are on the right.