Kwanzaa 'All About Family'

The word Kwanzaa is derived from a Swahili phrase that means “first fruits.”

The holiday is replete with symbolism drawn from various African cultures, and those symbols—like corn, which represents hope and birth—were on display in Howard County on Wednesday, Dec. 28.

At the Howard County Library's Central Branch in Columbia, about a dozen children gathered for an interactive program on Kwanzaa, which included an explanation of what the holiday is about.

The distinctly American holiday, celebrated each year from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, began in 1966 as a means of forging a sense of community among African-Americans.

Kwanzaa takes place over seven days, and each night, families discuss one of the seven principles that define their community: unity, creativity, faith, purpose, collective work, self-determination and cooperative economics. (Read about these from the founder of the holiday.)

The Howard County Library hosts similar educational programs on Christmas and Hanukkah.

“We’re just trying to be inclusive versus trying to avoid everything,” children’s instructor Tamarah Nuttle said.

During her talk, Nuttle told those gathered that even though she doesn’t celebrate Kwanzaa herself, she still finds meaning in it.

“To me, Kwanzaa is all about family and fun times," she said.

Family and fun times were also had at the Baltimore Museum of Art, which hosted a Kwanzaa Family Day that included storytelling, music, dance and crafts on Dec. 28.

At Baltimore’s Maryland African American History & Culture museum, Kwanzaa will be celebrated from Dec. 28-30 with family activities like crafts, dancing and music.

In Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian is hosting Kwanzaa celebrations like a drum call and festive concert on Dec. 29 and a two-hour workshop for making Kwanzaa gifts on Dec. 30.