Kwanzaa

About Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a 7-day celebration of Pan African and African American culture that takes place each year from December 26 to January 1. Modeled after the ancient African "first fruits" harvest celebrations, Kwanzaa is centered around 7 principles and celebrates Black family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa developed out of the social and political changes of the 1960s and was first celebrated in Los Angeles in December of 1966.

• Official Kwanzaa Website
  http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/
  Dr. Maulana Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa, established this website because he felt it was "imperative that an authoritative source and site be made available to give an accurate and expansive account of its origins, concepts, values, symbols and practice."
• AOL Black Voices: Kwanzaa
  http://bv.channel.aol.com/kwanzaa
  Information on Kwanzaa, on Dr. Maulana Karenga, its founder, and how to celebrate it.
• Melanet's Kwanzaa Information Center
  http://www.melanet.com/kwanzaa/
  Look here for a more detailed discussion of Kwanzaa's history and the seven principles.
• Harper-Collins: What is Kwanzaa
  http://www.harperchildrens.com/holiday/kwan.htm
  the seven days of Kwanzaa, books for Kwanzaa, recipe for benne cakes

Recipes

• Africa Guide: African Cooking & Recipes
  http://www.africaguide.com/cooking.htm
  Links to African websites with recipes.
• The Congo Cookbook
  http://www.congocookbook.com/
  a collection of over 150 recipes from Africa, plus information about African cooking, cuisine, culture, food, gastronomy, and history. Featuring African proverbs, excerpts from historic texts, and rare African recipes.
• Sankofa: Recipes for Kwanzaa
  http://members.tripod.com/~Nancy_J/kwanzaa.htm
  Try Peanut Soup with Okra Croutons, Benne (sesame) Cakes, African Squash And Yams (futari), Sweet Potato Pie.