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                      African Americans Celebrate Kwanzaa

   by Mike O'Sullivan

   The seven-day festival of Kwanzaa will begin December 26.  It is a time
   when African Americans highlight their heritage.
   Maulana Karenga, a black activist and African Studies professor,
   created Kwanzaa in 1966, to - as he said - "give Blacks an opportunity
   to celebrate themselves and their history." Each day is dedicated to a
   different principle, and a candle is lit each night.  At a recent
   festival at the California African American Museum, Babe Evans
   explained the principles behind the upcoming holiday to a group of
   children.  The first is unity.
   "Umoja.  It means a time to think about your ancestors, to think about
   the struggles that people have been through, so that you can now have a
   life that is much more open," said Evans.
   Kwanzaa is based on African themes.  Its principles are stated in the
   Swahili language, and the name Kwanzaa comes from a phrase meaning
   first fruits of the harvest.
   "The second day, because it's a seven-day ceremony, is Kujichagulia,
   and that means self-determination," said Evans.
   Collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose,
   creativity and faith.  These round out the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
   Gift-giving is a part of the holiday, but actor Jeffrey Anderson-Gunter
   says the celebration has not become commercialized, like Christmas.
   "In Kwanzaa, we make our gifts.  All the kids will make something and
   give to each other, and then we have an abundance of food that's
   shared," said Anderson-Gunter.
   In many African-American homes, Kwanzaa is celebrated along with
   Christmas. Writer Marsha Bullock, whose family is Christian, says
   that's what her family does.
   "We do Christmas, and then Kwanzaa starts directly the day after, so we
   do that too.  And then of course, my favorite part is the celebration
   where you get to eat everything," said Bullock.
   The festival will end January 1st with a feast with friends and family.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/african-americans-celebrate-kwanzaa/1816310.html