Kwanzaa

=Kwanzaa=


 * Kwanzaa is celebrated all around the world by the African community. It is widely celebrated by nearly 20 million people. The celebration is not a religious holiday, but represents African culture by feasting on traditional foods and playing African music. Poetry, dancing, singing and story-telling play a great part in the celebration by explaining the importance of African culture and how it plays a big part in the world today. Kwanzaa is based on seven principles known as: “Nguzo Saba”. These principles are: **
 * • Umoja (Unity)**
 * • Ujima (Collective work and Responsibility)**
 * • Nia (Purpose)**
 * • Kujichagulia (Self- determination)**
 * • Ujamaa (Creative economics)**
 * • Imani (Faith)**
 * • Kuumba (Creativity)**


 * The celebration was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. He wanted to show how happy he was to be from African descent. A tradition to this holiday is a feast called “Karamu”, which includes traditional African dishes. Gifts, also known as Zawadi, are given mainly to children, but have to have some sort of heritage and culture value. The symbols representing the holiday tell a lot about culture and past traditions held in African American communities. The symbols include: **
 * • Mazao – The crops**
 * • Mkeka – Place mat**
 * • Vibunzi – Ear of corn**
 * • Mishumaa Saba – Seven candles**
 * • Kinara – Candle holder**
 * • Kikombe Cha Umoja – Unity cup**
 * • Zawadi – Gifts**

= Videos (Music and Information about and for Kwanzaa) =

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= Where Is Kwanzaa Celebrated? =

= Traditional Kwanzaa Recipes =
 * Kwanzaa is celebrated all around the world. Imagine, in almost every country on this map, there is at least one or two families that celebrates Kwanzaa. This all equals to nearly 20 million people. **


 * Benne Cakes **


 * Ingredients **
 * You will need: oil to grease a cookie sheet **
 * 1 cup finely packed brown sugar **
 * 1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened **
 * 1 egg, beaten **
 * 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract **
 * 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice **
 * 1/2 cup all-purpose flour **
 * 1/2 teaspoon baking powder **
 * 1/4 teaspoon salt **
 * 1 cup toasted sesame seeds **


 * Method **
 * Preheat the oven to 325°. Lightly oil a cookie sheet. Mix together the brown sugar and butter, and beat until they are creamy. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and sesame seeds. Drop by rounded teaspoons onto the cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are browned. **


 * Benne cakes are a food from West Africa. Benne means sesame seeds. The sesame seeds are eaten for good luck. This treat is still eaten in some parts of the American South. **


 * Sweet Potato Waffles**


 * Ingredients **
 * 1 1/2 cups peeled and cubed sweet potatoes **
 * 2 cups all purpose flour **
 * 1 tablespoon baking powder **
 * 1/2 teaspoon salt **
 * 6 egg whites, at room temperature **
 * 1 cup milk **
 * 1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar **
 * 1/4 cup butter, melted **
 * 1 tablespoon grated orange rind **
 * Vegetable spray, for waffle iron **
 * Special equipment: steamer basket and waffle iron **


 * Method **
 * Put cubed sweet potatoes in a steamer basket. Place the basket in a large pot of simmering water that is no closer than 2 inches from the bottom of steamer. Allow potatoes to steam for 20 minutes of until fork tender. Mash cooked potatoes and set aside. **


 * In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside. **


 * In another bowl combine the sweet potatoes, milk, brown sugar, butter, and grated orange rind. Stir the sweet potato mixture into the flour mixture and thoroughly combine. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold egg whites into batter 1/3 at a time. The batter will be thick. Using a No. 20 scoop, place 2 scoops of batter onto a preheated, oiled waffle iron, and cook until lightly browned, about 5 to 6 minutes. **

=Fun Facts

= • The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are Red, Black, and Green. Red stands for the Blood shed creating freedom for African Americans, Green stands for the Land they live on, and Black stands for the People. • Creativity plays a big role in Kwanzaa by figuring out what to give your family and create stories to tell their families. • Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, therefore all gifts have to be cultural. • Kwanzaa is celebrated all around the world. =Links For Information =

="Official Kwanzaa Website"=

=History Channel "Kwanzaa History"=

=Information from "Novareinna.com"=