Promotional Items and Advertising Merchandise for Your Marketing and Trade Show Promotions  

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a weeklong festival in the United States meant to celebrate African-American heritage. It occurs from December 26 to January 1 and consists of seven days of celebration, with candle lighting, feasting, libations, and gift giving.

Created by an African-American activist and scholar, Maulana Karenga, in 1966, Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase, which means “first fruits of harvest.” Unlike the Jewish Hanukkah, which is religious in origin, Kwanzaa was set mainly to give African Americans an alternative to existing holidays and give them a chance to celebrate their history.

Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community, and culture. Food, dancing, and merrymaking are typical of the holiday’s parties. There is no set menu for this holiday, although traditional dishes from African countries are served.

Party halls are decked out in holiday colors of black, red, and green. African symbols such as the poster of the seven principles, candleholders, straw mats, bowls of fruit and vegetables, ears of corn, unity cup, and art pieces and books about African culture are visible throughout.

If you’re planning to give out gifts in observance of Kwanzaa, it would be best to have or wrap them in holiday colors.

Kwanzaa is meant to bring families closer, so if you’re planning a holiday party, why not consider the following activities:

• Create a family tree and share stories about ancestors and relatives.


• Learn an African song or share an African story.


• Watch a film about the African culture and the black diaspora. Kwanzaa is a perfect opportunity to look back and be thankful for what the generations before have done to bring us to where we are now.


• Give gifts for sharing. Include promotional food and drinks such as cookies, wine, chocolates, gift baskets, nuts, and mints in your gift list.