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What Is Kwanzaa and How Is It Celebrated?

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Who typically observes Kwanzaa?

How is Kwanzaa celebrated?

How was Kwanzaa popularized?

Is Kwanzaa a religious holiday?

This article was most recently revised and updated by

Kwanzaa, annual holiday affirming African family and social values that is celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1. Both the name and the celebration were devised in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies at California State University in Long Beach and an important figure in Afrocentrism. Karenga borrowed the word kwanza, meaning "first," from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, adding the seventh letter, an extra a, to make the word long enough to accommodate one letter for each of the seven children present at an early celebration. (The name Kwanzaa is not itself a Swahili word.) The concept of Kwanzaa draws on Southern African first-fruits celebrations.

Although Kwanzaa is primarily an African American holiday, it has also come to be celebrated outside the United States, particularly in Caribbean and other countries where there are large numbers of descendants of Africans. It was conceived as a nonpolitical and nonreligious holiday, and it is not considered to be a substitute for Christmas.

Each of the days of the celebration is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity ( umoja), self-determination ( kujichagulia), collective responsibility ( ujima), cooperative economics ( ujamaa), purpose ( nia), creativity ( kuumba), and faith ( imani). There also are seven symbols of the holiday: fruits, vegetables, and nuts; a straw mat; a candleholder; ears of corn (maize); gifts; a communal cup signifying unity; and seven candles in the African colours of red, green, and black, symbolizing the seven principles. On each day the family comes together to light one of the candles in the kinara, or candleholder, and to discuss the principle for the day. On December 31, families join in a community feast called the karamu. Some participants wear traditional African clothing during the celebration.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Alicja Zelazko.

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Kwanzaa | History, Traditions, Dates, Symbols, & Facts

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Kwanzaa, annual holiday affirming African family and social values that is celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1. Both the name and the celebration were devised in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, a professor of Africana studies and an important figure in Afrocentrism.

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When is Eid-ul-Fitr 2022? Date, History, Significance, and all you need to know about Eid-ul-Fitr - Times of India

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This year, Eid-Ul-Fitr is expected to begin on May 2, 2022, and will end on May 3, 2022. However, the actual date may vary as per the moon sighting.

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What is Kwanzaa? How is Kwanzaa Celebrated? Learn about Kwanzaa for Kids in this fun holiday video

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History of the Holidays: Hanunkah | History

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What Is Diwali and How Is It Celebrated?

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What is Day of the Dead? | National Geographic

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Diwali is the Indian "festival of lights"-a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 24. Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. Learn about Diwali, when it occurs, and common traditions!

What Is Diwali?

Diwali (also called Divali or Deepavali) is a "festival of lights" that celebrates the triumph of light over dark and good over evil, and the blessings of victory, freedom, and enlightenment. The name comes from Sanksrit dipavali, meaning "row of lights." On the night of Diwali, celebrants light dozens of candles and clay lamps (called diyas), placing them throughout their homes and in the streets to light up the dark night.

In most of India, Diwali consists of a five-day celebration that peaks on the third day with the main celebration of Diwali. In other places where Diwali occurs, usually only the main day is celebrated.

A specially-made clay lamp, called a diya, lit for Diwali.

Who Celebrates Diwali?

Diwali is primarily celebrated by followers of the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain faiths. However, the holiday is celebrated throughout India, Singapore, and several other South Asian countries as a national holiday, meaning that people outside these religions may participate in Diwali celebrations, too. Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and elsewhere around the globe also regularly celebrate Diwali.

When Is Diwali?

Diwali occurs annually in autumn (or spring, in the southern hemisphere), during the Hindu month of Kartik. (To put it in Western terms, Kartik begins around mid-October and ends in mid-November.) Specifically, Diwali occurs on the darkest day of the lunar month, which is the day of the new Moon.

Diwali Traditions and Customs

Because Diwali is celebrated by so many people worldwide, traditions are diverse, though there are a few common themes, including the lighting of candles and the gathering of families.

The main celebration of Diwali takes place on the day of the new Moon, when the sky is at its darkest, so a big part of the celebration revolves around light. Candles, clay lamps, and oil lanterns are lit and placed throughout the home, in the streets, in areas of worship, and floated on lakes and rivers. Fireworks are also set off on the night of Diwali-said by some to ward off evil spirits.

Another central theme of Diwali is family. Wearing their best new clothes, families gather together to eat sweets and other special foods, light diyas (decorative oil lamps), and pray for their ancestors. Businesses are generally closed (or close early) on Diwali to allow workers to celebrate with their families, too.

The feast can be quite extravagant, with the table filled with special dishes and sweets. In honor of Diwali, here are a few Indian-inspired recipes to try:

Here's a recipe for Coconut ladoos, one of the easiest Diwali recipes made within 15 minutes.

Diwali in India

In much of India, Diwali consists of five days of celebrations rather than just one.

On the first day, Indians clean their homes and create intricate rangoli-designs made of colored rice, sand, or flowers created on the floor of the home.

A rangoli made of flowers.

1. The second day is spent preparing or buying special food (especially sweets, called mithai), as well as praying for the spirits of ancestors in the afterlife.

2. On the third day-the main day of Diwali-families gather and celebrate by lighting lanterns and candles in their homes and in the streets, and by shooting off fireworks! (In southern India, the second day is the main day of celebration, rather the third.)

3. Traditions of the fourth day vary, but a common theme is the bond between husband and wife, so husbands will often buy their spouses gifts to celebrate.

4. The fifth day focuses on the bond between siblings, specifically between brother and sister.

Do you celebrate Diwali? What traditions do you follow for the holiday? Let us know in the comments below-and Happy Diwali to those who celebrate!

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Diwali is the Indian "festival of lights"-a holiday that celebrates the triumph of good over evil. This year, Diwali will be celebrated on October 24. Though technically religious, it's also become a cultural event in North America that's celebrated with sweets and special foods. Learn about Diwali, when it occurs, and common traditions!

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Dia de los muertos

One time a year, our departed come back to celebrate with us

A dedication to the deceased

Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) is a two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed. These altars are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. The offerings are believed to encourage visits from the land of the dead as the departed souls hear their prayers, smell their foods and join in the celebrations!

Day of the Dead is a rare holiday for celebrating death and life. It is unlike any holiday where mourning is exchanged for celebration.

"Day of the Dead is a holiday to remember loved ones by sharing a meal with them as one would when they were alive."

When is the Day of the Dead?

Dia de los Angelitos

Spirits of the children

Dia de los Angelitos (Day of the little angels) starts the holiday at midnight on Nov 1st, where the spirits of all deceased children are believed to be reunited with their families for 24 hours. Families construct an altar, known as an ofrenda, with the departed child's favorite snacks, candies, toys, and photographs to encourage a visit from their departed children. The names of the departed children will often be written on a sugar skull.

Día de los Difuntos

Spirits of the adults

At midnight of the following day (November 2nd), the celebrations shift to honor the lives of the departed adults. The night is filled with laughter and fun memories, much like the night before. However, the Ofrendas take on a more adult-like theme with tequila, pan de muerto, mezcal, pulque and jars of Atole. Families will also play games together, reminisce about their loved ones, and dance while the village band plays in their town.

Día de los Muertos

Spirits of all the dead

The next day is the grand finale and public celebration of Dia de Muertos. In more recent times, people come together in their cities, dressed up with Calavera painted faces (Skeletons) and have parades in the streets. Cemetery visits are also common on the last day as families will go to decorate the grave sites with Marigold flowers, gifts, and sugar skulls with the departed's name on them. It's customary to clean the grave stone and restore the color.

How people celebrate Day of the Dead

Sugar Skull art, coloring pages, and more!

Calaveras "Skull"

Calaveras are ubiquitous during Day of the Dead. The skulls are often drawn with a smile as to laugh at death itself. They take many forms such as sugar candies, clay decorations, and most memorable: face painting. Sugar skulls are decorated and placed on ofrendas of loved ones. A Calavera, or sugar skull, is a decorative skulls made (usually by hand) from either sugar (called Alfeñiques) or clay which are used in the Mexican celebration of the Day of the Dead.

Flor de Muerto Mexican Marigolds

Marigolds are believed to be the pathways that guide the spirits to their ofrendas. The flower's vibrant colors and scent attract the departed souls, as they return to feast on their favorite foods. They are called "Flor de Muerto" (Spanish for Flower of Dead) and they symbolize the beauty and fragility of life. Marigold flowers include around 60 annuals and perennials that are native to Mexico and Central America.

The symbolism behind the flowers

Ofrenda "Offering"

Learn how to make an Ofrenda

While the most recognizable aspects of Day of the Dead are the representations of skulls and skeletons, the tradition that holds the most meaning is the Ofrenda (Spanish for offering). The Ofrenda is what the whole celebration is about; it's a collection of offerings dedicated to the person being honored.

A brightly colored Oilcloth covers the table and on top of that sits a collection of photographs and personal items of the departed person. The lower portion of the altar is where the offerings are placed, from traditional Mexican cuisine to other items that represent the honored person's particular tastes.

Fun facts about Day of the Dead

1. Day of the dead is not Halloween

Day of the Dead is not the "Mexican Halloween" like it is sometimes mistaken to be because of the timing of the year. The two holidays originated with similar afterlife beliefs but are very different in modern day. Halloween began as a Celtic Festival where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts but has recently turned into a tradition of costume wearing and trick-or-treating. Decorating your house with spiders and bats and wearing scary costumes is not done in most parts of Mexico.

2. It's not somber but celebratory

Many of us see death as a sad event but those who celebrate Day of the Dead view death as a welcomed part of life. That is why you will see brightly colored skeletons and skulls everywhere during the holiday. They often are seen smiling, as a friendly nod to death, even mocking death. This view of death began way back during the one month Aztec festival where they celebrated the dead and paid homage to the lady of death, Mictlancíhuatl, who protected their departed loved ones and helped them in the afterlife.

3. Traditions are different by Country

Believe it or not, Mexicans are not the only ones to celebrate Day of the Dead. It is a widely celebrated holiday all over the world. In fact, many religious communities celebrate All Souls Day (also known as All Saints Day) during the same time as Day of the Dead. The act of honoring the dead is widely celebrated around the world but Day of the Dead is unique in its traditions: the ofrenda, the meaning of life and death, the use of calaveras, the style influenced by La Catrina, and more recently, the festivals in the streets.

Learn more about Day of the Dead

Our dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them

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Dia de los muertos A dedication to the deceased Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) is a two day holiday that reunites the living and dead. Families create ofrendas (Offerings) to honor their departed family members that have passed.

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Diwali - Festival of Lights | National Geographic

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How Coco Honors Día de los Muertos | Disney+

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What is Eid al-Fitr? Ramadan & the Festival of Breaking the Fast  - Behind the News

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1. Write about the holidays that you chose, comparing and contrasting them
2. Write how these compare to a holiday that you celebrate at home.

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1. Make your own holiday! Write traditions and when and why you celebrate it.
2. Make a seasonal card of the holiday that you chose
3. Make a poster teaching, some else about a holiday listed.

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EE.RL.9-10.6: Determine a point of view or cultural experience in a work of literature from outside the United States and compare it with own point of view or experience.