Who made Kwanzaa? Is it OK to say Happy Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African culture and values. It was created in 1966 by **Maulana Karenga**, a professor of Africana studies and an activist for Afrocentrism. Karenga wanted to reconnect Black Americans to their African roots and recognize their struggles as a people by building community.

Kwanzaa lasts for seven days, from December 26 to January 1. Each day is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

There are also seven symbols of Kwanzaa: fruits, vegetables, and nuts; a straw mat; a candleholder; ears of corn; gifts; a communal cup; and seven candles in red, green, and black. These colors represent the African flag and the blood, land, and people of Africa.

On each day of Kwanzaa, the family lights one of the candles and discusses the principle of the day. On December 31, there is a community feast called the karamu. Some people wear traditional African clothing during the celebration.

It is OK to say Happy Kwanzaa. You can greet someone who celebrates Kwanzaa by saying “Happy Kwanzaa” or “Habari gani”, which means “What’s the news?” in Swahili.