Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African American winter holiday celebrated from December 26 through January 1 and is observed here at Cal Poly Pomona in conjunction with the Ethnic and Women's Studies department and the African American Student Center.  Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Ron Maulana Karenga.  Kwanzaa is taken from the Swahili word kwanza, meaning “first.”  An extra “a” was added to the end of the word to give it seven letters, representing the holiday’s seven principles:  The Nguzo Saba:  [Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), Imani (Faith)].