Learning About Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. It is based on African first harvest celebrations and organized around five fundamental kinds of activities: ingathering of the people; special reverence for the creator and creation; commemoration of the past; recommitment to the highest cultural values; and celebration of the Good. Building on this ancient tradition, Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 as an act of cultural recovery and reconstruction. A seven-day holiday, Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1 and is structured around seven core communitarian African values, The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles) which are directed toward reinforcing family, community and culture. The Nguzo Saba are: Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-Determination); Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity); and Imani (Faith).

For more information on Kwanzaa, please visit
www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org

Each item reflects our commitment to maintaining the cultural integrity of the holiday and to providing products of the highest quality.

NEW EDITION

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IISBN
978-0-943412-27-6 Hardcover $29.95

SBN
978-0-943412-28-3 Paperback, $19.95

Kwanzaa

A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture

BY MAULANA KARENGA
THE CREATOR OF KWANZAA

Written by the creator of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture provides a thorough understanding of the views and values of Kwanzaa, its historic origins and cultural background and its cultural meaning to millions of Africans who celebrate it throughout the world African community. A beautifully illustrated text with over 45 color photos, rare archival photographs from the first Kwanzaa celebration, suggestions for family and community activities, African wisdom teachings and proverbs, answers to frequently asked questions on Kwanzaa through an exclusive interview with Dr. Karenga, and a Swahili-English pronunciation guide.

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SALE

VHS Video Cassette
30 minutes
ISBN 0-943412-18-8
$19.90
Sale $14.95

The African American Holiday of Kwanzaa

A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture

VHS VIDEO CASSETTE

Interview with
MAULANA KARENGA
The Creator of Kwanzaa

Designed for the whole family, this is a comprehensive overview of Kwanzaa, including a brief history of the holiday, an explanation of the symbols and principles of Kwanzaa, an interview with the creator of Kwanzaa — Dr. Maulana Karenga, a candle lighting ceremony, and a community Kwanzaa Karamu (feast).

About Our Kwanzaa Sets

These beautifully designed sets contain all the symbols of Kwanzaa you will need to celebrate the holiday. Our vinara (candleholders) are handcrafted in natural wood. Representing the Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles), the candles are of the finest quality and richest colors — one black, three red and three green. An elegantly hand-carved unity cup represents the first principle of Kwanzaa — Umoja, Unity. Colorful ears of traditional corn with harvest hues symbolize the children in the family and community. The foundational mat on which the other Kwanzaa symbols are placed represents history and tradition. And a full-color poster lists and defines the Nguzo Saba of Kwanzaa, which are the heart of the holiday. Save time from having to search for symbols piece by piece. Perfect gift for the holidays.

Style A Click to enlarge

Style B Click to enlarge

This complete Kwanzaa set contains:

Pyramid Candleholder
ITEM 704
Set of candles
ITEM 707
Unity Cup
ITEM 708/ITEM 720
Ears of corn
ITEM 709
Mat
ITEM 710
Seven Principles poster
ITEM 712
Poster shown here

Beautifully designed historic set contains all the symbols of Kwanzaa you will need to celebrate the holiday. Handcrafted in natural wood, the kinara (candle holder) is in the shape of the great step pyramid of Egypt.

Some items in photograph not included and shown only for decorative purposes.

Items also sold separately.

Pyramid Kwanzaa Set
Style A
ITEM 701A
$80.00

STILL AVAILABLE

Pyramid Kwanzaa Set
Style B
ITEM 701B
$80.00

SOLD OUT

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This complete Kwanzaa set contains:

Gye Nyame Candleholder
ITEM 705
Set of candles
ITEM 707
Unity Cup
ITEM 708
Ears of corn
ITEM 709
Mat
ITEM 710
Seven Principles poster
ITEM 712
Poster shown here

Gye Nyame Kwanzaa Set
ITEM 702
Price: $85.00

SOLD OUT

Contains all the symbols of Kwanzaa you will need to celebrate the holiday. Masterfully created from a single piece of wood, the candleholder was inspired by the Ashanti royal throne. Intricately carved at its base is the symbol gye nyame meaning steadfastness in courage.

Some items in photograph not included and shown only for decorative purposes.

Items also sold separately.

Click to enlarge

This complete Kwanzaa set contains:

Baluba Couple Candleholder
ITEM 706
Set of candles
ITEM 707
Unity Cup
ITEM 708
Ears of corn
ITEM 709
Mat
ITEM 710
Seven Principles poster
ITEM 712
Poster shown here

Baluba Couple
Kwanzaa Set
ITEM 703
$90.00

SOLD OUT

Exquisitely designed set contains all the symbols of Kwanzaa you'll need to celebrate the holiday. Inspired by the classic art of the Baluba in ancient Congo, the candleholder is a work of art with a Baluba couple facing and embracing each other.

Some items in photograph not included and shown only for decorative purposes.

Items also sold separately.

Pyramid Kinara Candleholder Style A
ITEM 704A
14 x 2 x 5 inches
$35.00

STILL AVAILABLE

Pyramid Kinara Candleholder Style B
ITEM 7045B
12 x 5 x 6 inches
$45.00

SOLD OUT

Pyramid Kinara

CANDLEHOLDER

Handcrafted in natural wood, this kinara (candleholder) is in the shape of the great step pyramid of ancient Egypt. With its angular design and pyramid contour, it holds the seven candles, "lifting up the light that lasts."

Some items in photograph not included and shown only for decorative purposes.

Click to enlarge
Gye Nyame Kinara Candleholder
ITEM 705
12 x 5 x 6 inches
$45.00

SOLD OUT

Gye Nyame Kinara

CANDLEHOLDER

Beautifully handcarved from a single piece of wood, these candleholders were inspired by the Ashanti royal throne. Intricately carved at its base is the symbol gye nyame meaning steadfastness in courage.

Some items in photograph not included and shown only for decorative purposes.