{"id":3323,"date":"2023-01-01T19:38:59","date_gmt":"2023-01-02T00:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/goodgenesgenealogy.com\/?p=3323"},"modified":"2023-01-01T19:38:59","modified_gmt":"2023-01-02T00:38:59","slug":"celebrating-january-first-african-american-style","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/trustworthy-tan-chimpanzee.104-207-79-65.cpanel.site\/index.php\/2023\/01\/01\/celebrating-january-first-african-american-style\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating January First … African American style"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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First Kwanzaa December 26, 1966,Photo donated to BBC by Terri Bandele, pictured on right. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

“What do the Africans do?” That is the question asked by a then-young girl, 11-year-old Terri Bandele, who was among the first families celebrating the first Kwanzaa celebration from Dec. 26, 1966 – Jan. 1, 1967. <\/a> Her question and the organized determination of Dr. Maulana Karenga, Bandele’s parents and others, led to the creation of Kwanzaa, the pan-African and African American holiday that honors the “matunda ya kwanza” that means “first fruits” in Swahili. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kwanzaa arrives December 26th — the day after the traditional Christmas Day — and culminates January 1st. It does not compete or replace any holiday, according to Dr. Karenga and many organizers. Nor does it compete with a longstanding January 1st celebration for U.S. Blacks and that is Jubilee Day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Central to Kwanzaa’s purpose is its celebration among family, friends and communities. Today, millions celebrate Kwanzaa and its seven strong principles: <\/p>\n\n\n\n