Continuing the Holiday Festivities with Kwanzaa

The seven principles of Kwanzaa are as follows: 1. Umoja (oo-MO-jah): Unity 2. Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-determination3. Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility4. Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics5. Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose6. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity7. Imani (ee-MAH-nee): FaithThe principles are expressed by the use of a kinara, which holds seven candles — three red, three green and one black — which can be purchased at a local craft store or from a store specializing in African wares.

Kwanzaa begins December 26 and runs for seven days, ending on the first of the year. Interior designer Nicole White Quinn recommends using the holiday as inspiration to “get busy adding loads of Kwanzaa influence to your decor.” Are there any special objects, artwork or textiles you pull out this time of year? What’s the story behind them?If you celebrate Kwanzaa, please tell and show us how your family celebrates and which part of this weeklong holiday means the most to you.

Do you celebrate Kwanzaa? The festivities don’t have to be placed on hold between Christmas and New Year’s Eve — there’s a holiday that stretches between them. Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration of African heritage in African American culture, created by Maulana Karenga (originally named Ron Everett) in 1966. Do you celebrate Kwanzaa at home? If so, we’d love to hear about it and see photos of your celebrations.Read more about celebrating Kwanzaa at home

The seven principles of Kwanzaa are as follows: 1. Umoja (oo-MO-jah): Unity 2. Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-determination 3. Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility 4. Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics 5. Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose 6. Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity 7. Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith

seven principles of Kwanzaa- Unity, Self-determination, collective work and responsibility, collective economics, purpose, creativity,faith

The rich warm look of the candle holder.

make in clay, umoja-unity, kujichagulia-self-determination, ujimah-collective wk & responsibility, ujamaa-collective economics, nia-purpose, kuumba-creativity, Imani-faith kwanza

Kwanzaa begins December 26 and runs for seven days, ending on the first of the year. Interior designer Nicole White Quinn recommends using the holiday as inspiration to “get busy adding loads of Kwanzaa influence to your decor.”