Divali is over. Christmas is coming. Habari Gani (Greetings), the Kwanzaa season is on its way too. So bring out the candlesticks and let's learn more about this holiday. Kwanzaa was initiated and first celebrated on the 26^th of December 1966 in the United Stases. The concept of Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga, who recognised that a change in the condition of Black Americans could only be achieved through the creation of an identity. Dr. Karenga was a visionary, who utilised this approach to help instill in Black Americans cultural pride respect and esteem. All of which the slave legacy had partially or totally destroyed.

Kwanzaa is a spiritual and festive celebration of life. It is primarily an African-American holiday but its popularity is spreading throughout the African diaspora, including Trinidad. Kwanzaa is operationalised through its seven principles or Nguzo Saba. These principles govern the way of life of celebrants and must influence their ideology to be successful, for Kwanzaa is not just a season but should be practised throughout the year. These principles (Nguzo Saba) given in Swahili are:

Umoja (unity) - striving to obtain and maintain family, racial, national and world unity.

Kujichagulia (self-determination) - achieved through the formation of self-identity. Kujichagulia is a call for reaffirmation and reeducation.

Ujima (collective work and responsibility) - emphasises togetherness and collective action. It reinscribes the community spirit. The adage 'I am my brother's keeper' aptly describes the ideal of Ujima.

Ujamaa (cooperative economics) - stresses on self-reliance and communal development in order to ameliorate inequity.

Nia (purpose) - emphasises that individuals must have a sense of purpose.

Kuumba (creativity) - advocates that creativity should be used to uplift the race. Africans should maintain a spirit of inquiry and a critical faculty.

Mkeka - a straw mat representing the traditional foundation or the ancestors on which all is based.

Kinara - a candelabra holds seven candles and represents the origins of Africans.

Mshumaa - the seven candles represent the seven governing principles of Kwanzaa.

Muhindi - an ear of corn represents the never-ending cycle of birth and death. The ear of corn or children is the product of the stalk or parents, in turn the ear of corn becomes a stalk, thus muhindi signifies the perpetuation or infinity of the race.

Kikombe Cha Umoja - is a communal cup, it reconnects with the first principle of Umoja (unity). A libation t the ancestors is offered and celebrants drink from the same cup, a gesture of brotherhood and respect.

Zawadi - are gifts exchanged during Kwanzaa to show appreciation for each other's good deeds.

Karamu - is the Kwanzaa feast held on 31st December every year. It brings the community and family together for a day of thanksgiving.

Kwanzaa has a significance that is not exclusively African. Divali is not just a festival of lights, but also celebrates the attainment of knowledge. The principles of Kwanzaa aim to rescue humankind, like the Akaasha deep of Hindu mythology, from darkness and ignorance. The principles aim to provide a sense of direction and shed light on the path of the traveller.