The Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion would like to wish everyone a Happy Kwanzaa—filled with love, joy, and prosperity.

If you’re unfamiliar with the holiday, we’re here to help educate and inform.

 About Kwanzaa

In households across the world, but primarily the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, Kwanzaa is an annual cultural celebration that is observed each year from December 26 – January 1.

Born out of the Civil Rights era in 1966, Maulana Karenga, Ph.D., created Kwanzaa to be a time in which African families (and those of African descendants) can reflect and remember their African family and friends, values, community, and culture.

Dr. Karenga says, “The holiday [Kwanzaa], then will of necessity, be engaged as an ancient and living cultural tradition which reflects the best of African thought and practice in its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person in community and culture, the well-being of family and community, the integrity of the environment and our kinship with it, and the rich resource and meaning of a people’s culture.”

During each day of Kwanzaa, a candle is lit in the kinara (candleholder) and those who celebrate will examine one of the seven principles:

• Umoja – Unity
• Kujichagulia – Self-Determination
• Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility
• Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics
• Nia – Purpose
• Kuumba – Creativity
• Imani – Faith

In addition to the principles, there are also seven symbols: communal cup; fruits, vegetables, and nuts; candleholder; ears of corn; a straw mat; gifts; and seven candles.