What can you tell me about Kwanzaa?

The Kamusi Project does not provide any information about Kwanzaa, which is a holiday celebrated by many African-Americans in the United States. Many of the words used in Kwanzaa celebrations have been chosen from Swahili. For more information about Kwanzaa, we suggest you visit the Google Kwanzaa Web Directory.

The name "Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili word "kwanza."

Kwanzaa uses Swahili words as the basis for its "Seven Principles," or "Nguzo Saba." These words are:

1. Umoja
2. Kujichagulia
3. Ujima
4. Ujamaa
5. Nia
6. Kuumba
7. Imani

Several additional Swahili words have been incorporated into Kwanzaa as symbols of the holiday. These words are:

• Bendera
• Taifa
• Mkeka
• Mishumaa
• Kinara
• Karamu
• Kikombe
• Muhindi
• Zawadi