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Cincinnati Kwanzaa Committee
Kwanzaa, which is an African American holiday observed from December 26 through January 1, is a time for family and community togetherness.
Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of听, culminating in a communal feast called听Karamu.听It was created by activist听, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of听听补苍诲听. 听 听
Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966. Estimates of how many Americans celebrate Kwanzaa have varied in recent years, from as few as a half a million to as many as 12 million.
础尘别谤颈肠补苍听听听created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of the听 as a non-Christian,听specifically African American,听.听Karenga said his goal was to “give Black people an alternative to the existing holiday of听听and give Black people an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history. According to Karenga, the name Kwanzaa derives from the听听phrase听matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits.鈥 听festivals exist in Southern Africa and are celebrated in December/January with the听.听
Many African Americans who celebrate Kwanzaa do so in addition to observing Christmas.听