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In 1966, Maulana Karenga, a Black Studies professor at California State University at Long Beach, created a new holiday patterned after traditional African harvest festivals. He called it Kwanzaa, a name he took from a Swahili term that means "first fruits." The holiday, which takes place from December 26th to January 1st, was originally intended as a nonreligious celebration of family and social values. Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
Examples of Kwanzaa in a Sentence
Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 30 Oct. 2024
Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa share custody of most of December; Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July have become, for some, political lightning rods.
—Kate Lindsay, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024
Its members went on to introduce the holiday of Kwanzaa and to advocate for the creation of Black-studies departments; two young participants, Bobby Seale and Huey Newton, founded the Black Panther Party.
—Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024
Born in New Jersey, Afiya and her siblings spent their early childhood in a culturally rich environment, celebrating traditions like Kwanzaa and later joining a vibrant Muslim community after their mother converted to Islam.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2024
Christmas is right near the December winter solstice festival and Kwanzaa falls right after.
—Lisa Vernon Sparks, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2024
There are fun activities, too, such as a combined celebration of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 5 Feb. 2024
Matthews Community Center, 100 E McDowell St, Matthews, NC 28105
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Celebrate Kwanzaa with the Town of Matthews and learn everything about the holiday, including how it’s celebrated, the principles and symbols.
—Jody MacEand, Charlotte Observer, 29 Dec. 2023
When Is Kwanzaa 2023? Kwanzaa 2023 begins on Tuesday, Dec. 26, and runs until Monday, Jan. 1, 2024.
—Stephanie Sengwe, Peoplemag, 17 Dec. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Kwanzaa.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Kwanzaa. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
Kwanzaa
noun
Swahili kwanza "first," in the phrase matunda ya kwanza "first fruits"
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