Tuesday, Dec. 26 is the first day of Kwanzaa
(CNN) – Tuesday marks the first day of the week-long celebration of Kwanzaa.
The name comes from the Swahili phrase, which means “first fruits.”
The holiday was created in 1966.
It is a non-religious observation of African Americans’ ancestral roots that celebrates seven core principles.
The principles include creativity, collective responsibility, self-determination, faith and purpose.
In a way similar to the menorah in Hanukkah, a candle is lit each night on the kinara.
The kinara holds seven candles, one black, three green and three red.
They represent the people, the struggle and the future, as well as seven principles.
The celebration of Kwanza ends on the first day of the new year.
