Kwanzaa (until Jan 1) in the United States Home Calendar Holidays the United States Kwanzaa (until Jan 1) Kwanzaa (until Jan 1) in the United States Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday honoring African culture and traditions. It falls between December 26 and January 1 each year. Maulana Karenga, an African-American leader, proposed this observance and it was first celebrated between December 1966 and January 1967. A candle stick holding seven candles is symbolic of Kwanzaa in the United States. A candle stick holding seven candles is symbolic of Kwanzaa in the United States. ©iStockphoto.com/Steve Jacobs What Do People Do? Kwanzaa is a holiday honoring the culture and traditions of people of African origin. It is celebrated by people from a range of African countries and their descendants. Kwanzaa consists of a week of celebrations, which ends with a feast and the exchange of gifts. During the celebrations, candles are lit and libations are poured. A libation is the name given to a ritual pouring of a drink as an offering to a god.

During Kwanzaa, a wooden unity cup is used to pour the libations. A Kwanzaa ceremony often also includes performance of music and drumming, a reflection on the Pan-African colors of red, green and black and a discussion of some aspect of African history. Women often wear brightly colored traditional clothing. Some cultural organizations hold special exhibitions of African influenced art or performances during the period of the celebrations. Originally the people observing Kwanzaa did not mix any elements of other festivals into their celebrations. However, in recent years, it has become increasingly common for people to mix elements of Kwanzaa with Christmas or New Year celebrations. For instance, a family may have both a Christmas tree and a Kwanzaa candle stick on display in their home. This enables them to include both Christian and African inspired traditions in their lives at this time of year. Public Life Apart from New Year's Day (January 1), the days on which Kwanzaa falls are not public holidays. It is largely a private celebration observed by individuals, families and local communities. However, it falls between Christmas and New Year's Day, when some businesses and organizations may be closed or run fewer services.

If you need to do business with a company or organization with an African-American orientation during this period, it may be wise to check whether they are open as usual. Symbols The main symbols of Kwanzaa are a mat, on which to put the things needed for the celebration, the unity cup used to pour libations, a candle stick holding seven candles, the seven candles, ears of corn, the Kwanzaa flag and a poster depicting the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: unity; self-determination; collective work and responsibility; co-operative economics; purpose; creativity; and earth. The colors of Kwanzaa are red, black and green. The Kwanzaa flag consists of three blocks, one in each of these colors. Three of the seven candles are red, three are green and one is black. Each candle represents one of the principles of Kwanzaa. The candle holder is carved from a single piece of wood and its shape was inspired by the form of the Ashanti royal throne. Background Kwanzaa was first celebrated in December 1966 and January 1967.

The holiday was proposed by Maulana Karenga to give those of African descent a holiday to celebrate their own cultural heritage and the key values of family and community. Although seen as an alternative to Christmas and thus possibly anti-Christian in the early years, many people now observe aspects of both festivals. In 1997 and 2004, the United States Postal Service honored Kwanzaa by issuing stamps depicting an aspect of the festival. In 1997, the stamp was designed by Synthia Saint James and showed an African-American family observing the celebrations. In 2004, the stamp was designed by Daniel Minter and shows seven figures representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa gained popularity quite quickly. It is now estimated that about 13 percent of African-Americans (nearly five million people) celebrate the festival in some way. Kwanzaa (until Jan 1) Observances Select another year-range: ROOTS OF AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHRISTMAS: The Johnkankus © 1996 BY IRENE SMALLS B.A. M.B.A. All rights reserved.

Permission is granted to copy (unmodified) this document in electronic form provided that it is not sold to any company, organization or individual. Author credit must be included. For any use other than that which is expressly given permission must be granted. Let's go back in time to the Southern Coast of America notably Wilmington , Edenton and Hillsboro, North Carolina. At that time the most popular musical event for the entire community both black and white was the celebration of the Johnkankus, a celebration in honor of an ancient African chief. In celebrating the Johnkankus, the community members were continuing an African folkway but also creating one of the first African-American traditions. A tradition that has lasted in various locations for two hundred and seventy-six years. Harriet Jacobs noted "Every child rises early on Christmas morning to see the Johnkankus...These companies of a hundred each, turn out early in the morning and are allowed to go around until twelve o'clock (midnight)." The Johnkankus apparently originated along the West Coast of Africa and was spread to the West Indies and the southern coast of America with the African Diaspora.

Edward Long the author of "History of Jamaica" (London, 1774), II 424-25 noted: "This dance is probably an honorable memorial of John Conny, a celebrated cabocero at Tres Puntas, in Axim, on the Guiney coast; who flourished about the year 1720. He bore great authority among the Negroes of that district." And an Englishman who visited Africa in 1725 wrote, "I visited King Conny in his Castle, who received me very kindly with the usual ceremonies of their country, musick, drums and horns". Tres Puntas at Axim was a small town in the Northern province of the southwest gold Coast colony off the Gulf of Guiana 38 miles West of Takoradi. Today it is part of the southwestern Ghanaian coastal town of Axim near Prestea at the mouth of the Ankobra River. It is also believed that the "Johnkankus" was propagated by the Papaws or Popos a tribe from the so called "slave coast" of Africa. From the sources it is not clear which tribal grouping John Conny belonged to.

Papaws or Popos were the largest group of Africans exported and enslaved in the early eighteenth century. They were speakers of Ewe and in this language there is a word dzon'ku ' a sorcerer's name for himself and the world -nu meaning man. Put together the words mean a sorcerer man or witch-doctor. Folk etymology then transmogrified the word to John Canoe and its various derivations. The festival was distinctive for its unusual costumes all made out of rags and tatters, found objects and recycled materials. The Jonkonnu members wore masks that were wildly original made from whatever odds and ends the slaves could find. The African-American slaves were some of the first environmentalist creating the entire festival from garbage and genius. The John Conny was also known for the inventing of songs and original chants, loudly and rhythmically performed to the beat of the drums called gumba (gombe) boxes made from animal skins pulled over a frame. Other instruments for the celebration were made from animal bones, sticks, reeds, cows' horns and triangles. The basic instruments for a Johnkankus festival in North America were a drum, a reed instrument and a triangle.

The leader of the parade or "Johnkankus (Jonkonnu)" himself was usually male but in Jamaica as early as 1769 there were male and female Connus. In the U.S. only toward the end of the celebration around 1865 in North Carolina was an occasional Jonkonnu female. In a painting by Winslow Homer called "Dressing for the Carnival" from 1877 of the Johnkankus like celebration in the town of Petersburg, Virginia, the Johnkankus is male while those helping him get dressed for the celebration are female. The John Connu songs were always very inventive, funny and sometimes ended with a sting. Thereby creating one of the earliest protest songs. For Example: Poor Massa so de say Down in the heel Everyone should have a share Ho rang du rango or the Jamaican counterpart Massa Buccra lob for see Bullock caper like monkee Dance and Shump and poke him toe Like one humane person, just so At the end of the parade one or more of their number dressed in his "Sunday go to Meeting clothes" would pass the hat and ask for donations of money or rum.

Oh poor Koners John For me, For me my Lady Give the poor Koners one more cent For me, For me my lady If a donation was not forthcoming the Koners would sing a song with a definite bite. Run Jinnie run, I'm going away Going away to come no more This am the poor house I'm going away This am the poor house The festival has been extensively studied by the researcher John W. Nunley. "Along the coast of West Africa and particularly in Freetown, there are two opposite manners of dressing for the African Masquerades. The precursor of the Johnkankus festival. One consist of fancy paper and cloth strips and beautiful headdress; the other is made of animal parts, plain dark gunney sack material and skin covered horn head pieces. The same stylistic and aesthetic parameters are found in the Jonkonnu of the West Indies, New Orleans and the Carolinas." In the American south the styles converged for you had a mixture of the two; the grotesque and fearful along with exquisitely beautiful costumed Johnkankus revelers. Jamaica is where the Jonkonnu has had the longest continuous celebration. Today, the Jonkonnu is still celebrated in Jamaica.

Understandably, the Dictionary of Jamaican English has several citations from 1774 (Edward Long, History of Jamaica, and it documents five spellings from various books of the time (1774 John Connu, 1801 Johnny Canoe, 1816 John-Canoe, 1825 Joncanoe, 1826 Jonkanoo and several attempts at folk pronunciation (1943 jancunoo, jankoono, jan-kunnah, 1949 Jan Cunnoo, 1951 Juncoonu) Recently, The Gombey dancers have been revived in Bermuda for the tourists trade. "If you see a group of people dancing down a Bermuda street to the sound of drums and whistles and if those dancers are wearing grotesque, colorful costumes, then you may well be witnessing that most elusive of Bermuda Events - The Gombeys " The Bermuda Gombey is the island's premier folk art.

The troupe of anywhere from 10-30 people are traditionally male and sometimes from the same family, even though today there are sometimes a female, who pass the techniques of the Gombey from one generation to the next. Created during the 17th century by slaves brought to Bermuda from West Africa, the Caribbean and North America, the Gombey dances borrows from many cultures. "Gombey" is derived from an African word meaning rhythm, and the dance itself is part West African, Caribbean and American Indian. The dances have names, and the musical accompaniment is usually a kettle drum, two snare drums, and a fife. The dance is performed primarily on Christmas and Easter Holidays. It was born originally to be performed only on Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day, when slaves were granted a brief rest, and celebrated their taste of freedom with extensive festivities and dances. Today, Gombey dancers also perform on the Monday after Easter as well as on other unspecified days. The celebration of the Jonkankus died out among African-Americans around 1865 because of its association with slavery.

African-Americans ashamed of their slave past wanted to purge all remembrances of their prior servitude. The Jonkankus was seen as a low class slave tradition and a reminder of slavery. A clear example of the disrepute with which the Johnkankus came to be viewed is that the word "Koners" became synonymous with a (ugly) buffoon or foolish person. Interestingly toward its end the Johnkankus crossed cultures and was continued the by the white community until the early 1900's. In the article "Do you Remember When" by Henry Bacon McKoy he states, "We went Coonering each year after the festivities of the Christmas Day had gone by. The boys of my neighborhood around the turn of the century engaged in "Coonering" no other time except between Christmas Day and the New Year. A group of five to ten boys would don whatever costume or garment he was able to get. There were sashes and shawls, overcoats and long pants. There were red bandannas, shirts and dresses. Everything had to be old and ill fitting. And then there was always the mask or "Coner" face. Early this year after reading Louis T.

Moore's "Stories of the Cape Fear Region" I learned that "Coonering was a custom handed down to us by the Negroes. And that it was supposed to be "Koonering" as a ceremony of John Koner. We didn't know how to spell it. We just did it. And it was fun." Welcome to remembrances of the African-American past, all to the beat, beat, beat of the gumbe box drum. JUBA JUBA O YE JUBA, JUBA O YE JUBA The John Conny Carnivale is here JUBA JUBA O YE JUBA, JUBA O YE JUBA Reference Sources: Irene Smalls, "Irene Jennie and the Xmas Masquerade: The Johnkankus", Little Brown,1996 Author's note Harriet A. Jacobs, "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, Written by herself," Cambridge Mass. Harvard University Press,Cambridge, Mass. & London England pp. 118-119 277-278 1987 Nancy R.

Ping, "Black Musical Activities in Antebellum Wilmington, North Carolina" The Black Perspective in Music 8 (1980) 139-157 Richard Walser, "His Worship the John Kuner" North Carolina Folklore Journal 19 (1971) 160-172 "Tom Cringle's Log by Michael Scott", Everyman's Library #710, J.M. Dent and Sons, London, England 1915, 1969 Dutton, New York pp. 241-245 "Hip Saw & John Canoe" by Fredrick G. Cassidy, American Speech 41 1966 pp.45-51 Black Culture/Black Consciousness" Afro-American Thought from Slavery to Freedom, "The Sacred World of Black Slaves", Lawrence Levine, New York Oxford University Press. pp. 12-13 Henry Bacon McKoy "Do you Remember When Wilmington, N.C. 1905" printed by Keys Printing Co. Greenville, South Carolina 1957 pp.

141-145, Presently Out of Print, Courtesy of the Cape Fear Museum Wilmington, N.C. Leon Seltzer, Editor Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer of the World, 1952, Columbia University Press, New York, New York p. 75 "Your Bermuda" by George Rushe, p. 70 copy The Bermuda Tourist Bureau Bermuda Gombey Backgrounder - Bermuda Tourist Bureau Contact: Alex Martinengo Porter Novelli New York, New York 10022 212 872-8000 Edward Long, The History of Jamaica (London 1774) II 424-25 John Nunley, "The Fancy and the Fierce" Yoruba Masking Traditions of Sierra Leone", African Arts 14 (February 1981) 52-58 John Nunley, "Images and Printed Words in Freetown Masquerades" African Arts 15 (August 1982) 42-46.

Paula Wood & Felix Liddell, "Merry Christmas Baby", A Christmas and Kwanzaa Treasury, Harper Collins, New York 1996 To Order Book Titles By Irene Smalls Contact: Kwanzaa -- Christmas Customs and Traditions -- whychristmas?com The Yule Log Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is a seven day festival that celebrates African and African American culture and history. Kwanzaa takes place from 26th December to 1st January. The name Kwanzaa comes from the phrase 'matunda ya kwanza' which means 'first fruits' in the Swahili language (an Eastern African language spoken in countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zimbabwe). Kwanzaa is mostly celebrated in the USA. During Kwanzaa a special candle holder called a kinara is used. A kinara hold seven candles, three red ones on the left, three green ones on the right with a black candle in the center. Each night during Kwanzaa a candle is lit. The black, center, candle is lit first and then it alternates between the red and green candles stating with the ones on the outside and moving inwards.

This is quite similar to the lighting of the menorah in the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah. The seven days and candles in Kwanzaa represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba): Umoja: Unity - Unity of the family, community, nation and race Kujichagulia: Self-Determination - Being responsible for your own conduct and behaviour Ujima: Collective work and responsibility - Working to Help each other and in the community Ujamaa: Cooperative economics - Working to build shops and businesses Nia: Purpose - Remembering and restoring African and African American cultures, customs and history Kuumba: Creativity - Using creating and your imagination to make communities better Imani: Faith - Believing in people, families, leaders, teachers and the righteousness of the African American struggle #457062203 / gettyimages.com There are also seven symbols used in Kwanzaa. The seven items of often set on a Kwanzaa table, with the kinara, in the house: Mkeka: The Mat - A woven mat made of fabric, raffia, or paper. The other symbols are placed on the Mkeka.

It symbolises experiences and foundations. Kikombe cha Umoja: The Unity Cup - Represents family and community. It is filled with water, fruit juice or wine. A little is poured out to remember the ancestors. The cup is share between people and each person takes a sip. Mazao: The Crops - Fruit and vegetables from the harvest. These normally includes bananas, mangoes, peaches, plantains, oranges, or other favorites! They are shared out. Kinara: The Candleholder - It represents the days, and principles of Kwanzaa. Mishumaa Saba: The Seven Candles - are placed in the kinara. Black, red and green are the colors of the Bendera (African Flag). Muhindi: The Corn - There is one ear of corn of each child in the family. If there are no children in the family, then one ear is used to represent the children in the community. It represents the future and the Native Americans. Zawadi: Gifts - Gifts given to children during Kwanzaa are normally educational, such as a book, dvd or game. There's also a gift reminding them of their African heritage.

There are also sometimes two extra symbols: Bendera: A flag with three horizontal stripes of black, red and green Nguzo Saba Poster: A poster of the seven principles of Kwanzaa There's also a special greeting used during Kwanzaa in Swahili. It's 'Habari gani' and the reply is the principle for that day. (Umoja on the first day, Kujichagulia on the second and so on.) The Kwanzaa festival was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. Dr. Karenga wanted a way bring African Americans together and remember their black culture. Harvest or 'first fruit' festivals are celebrated all over Africa. These were celebrations when people would come together and celebrate and give thanks for the good things in their lives and communities. From these festivals he created Kwanzaa. Secular and religious celebrations near Christmas time This topic is continued from the previous essay More information about religious celebrations near Christmas time: The month of December is a time of many religious celebrations. In alphabetic order, by religion, they include: Some Atheists in the U.S. have begun to celebrate the Winter Solstice .

This is the day of the year when the nighttime is longest, and the daytime shortest. It is on 2011-DEC-22 @ 05:30 (UT). In 2012, it is at 2012-DEC-21 @ 11:11 UT. This will be special because the Mayan calendar starts a brand new cycle on that day. Some authors are making a lot of money feeding on people's fears some form of massive destruction will happen on that day, perhaps terminating all life on Earth. Other authors predict some form of spiritual development by all humans. We fully expect that it will be an uneventful day. More details . Lately, it has been falling on DEC-21 or 22. However it can be as early as DEC-20 and as late as DEC-23. American Atheists and many local Atheist groups have organized a variety of observances at this time. Buddhists celebrate Bodhi Day (a.k.a. Rohatsu) on DEC-8, or on the Sunday immediately preceding.

It recalls the day in 596 BCE , when the Buddha sat beneath a Bodhi tree -- a type of fig tree -- and is believed to have achieved enlightenment, thus escapeing the repeating cycle of reincarnation: involving birth, life, death and rebirth. A descendent of the original tree is the most important of four holy sites of Buddhism. Sponsored link Christians in the West celebrate Christmas on DEC-25, as the day when the Yeshua of Nazareth (a.k.a. Jesus Christ) was born. He is regarded by most Christians as a deity and savior of humanity. The Eastern Orthodox churches currently celebrate Christmas on DEC-25 according to the Julian calendar, which is JAN-07 in the more commonly used Gregorian calendar. It is not actually the date of Jesus' birthday . That probably happened in the fall sometime between 7 and 4 BCE . It s origin can be traced to an ancient Roman Pagan celebration called Saturnalia. It was a commemoration of the dedication of a temple to the God Saturn. Saturnalia was originally celebrated as a one day celebration on DEC-17. It became so popular that it was expanded to seven days.

This celebration was picked up by the followers of Mithraism where it became the Feast of Sol Invicta, (the Unconquered Sun). It started on DEC-25 of the year 274 CE. Jews celebrate Hanukkah, (a.k.a. Chanukah; "Feast of Dedication" and "Festival of Lights"). This is an 8 day observance which recalls a miracle in the Jerusalem temple during a war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of religious freedom. Temple candles only had enough oil to burn for a single day. Yet they burned for eight days. Jews light candles on a menorah -- two on the first day, three on the second, to nine on the eighth day. Hanukkah falls between sunset on 2011-DEC-20 and sunset on DEC-28. The first of Hanukkah typically falls between NOV-30 and DEC-26. Followers of Kemetic Orthodoxy celebrate the Day of the Return of the Wandering Goddess. This religion is a recreation of the faith of ancient Egypt, observed since about 4500 BCE .

This day celebrates the return of the Goddess Hathor to her father Ra and the healing of their relationship. It is held on the Winter Solstice. Muslims ' holy days are fixed to the lunar calendar. On successive years, the days migrate about ten days earlier as viewed on the Gregorian calendar. Id al-Adha (a.k.a. the Feast of Sacrifice or Day of Sacrifice) occurs during the 12th lunar month of the Islamic year. This immediately follows the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) . It recalls the day when Abraham intended to follow the instructions of God, and sacrifice his son Ishmael. During 2006, it was celebrated on both JAN-10 and DEC-31. It is an unusual ocurrence to have two Id al-Adha holy days during one year; it happens only about three times each century. Each year, the observances migrate ten or eleven days earlier according to the Gregorian calendar. These holy days have left December, but will return in about three decades. Some Native Americans and Aboriginal groups elsewhere in the world also observe the Winter Solstice. They associate different beliefs and rituals with it.

For example, the Hopi tribe celebrations are "...dedicated to giving aid and direction to the sun which is ready to 'return' and give strength to budding life." Their ceremony is called Soyal. It lasts for 20 days and includes "prayerstick making, purification, rituals and a concluding rabbit hunt, feast and blessing..." 1 Nova Romans (a.k.a. Romana) celebrate Saturnalia , a seven day feast starting on DEC-17. 1,2 Romana are Neopagans who worship the ancient Gods of Rome and who celebrate the ancient Roman holy days. Wiccans and some other Neopagans celebrate Yule at the time of the Winter Solstice. Some may celebrate the Sabbat (one of eight days of celebration) on the evening before, at sunrise on the morning of the solstice, or at the actual time of the astronomical event. Zoroastrians observe Zartusht-no-diso on DEC-26, "the day in the sacred calendar when worshippers remember the death anniversary of Zarathustra.

Special prayers are recited and a visit is paid to the Fire Temple as a mark of remembrance." 5 Also, in ancient times, Druids and followers of the Pagan and Polytheistic religions of Greece, Rome, and other countries held celebrations at or shortly after the Winter Solstice. Some Neopagans have recreated these religions and are following them today. Sponsored link: Secular/cultural celebrations near Christmas time: The month of December also includes a number of cultural celebrations. Some are: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is held annually in Canada on DEC-06. On 1989-DEC-6, a deranged male gunman, a victim of child abuse and the uncontrollable rage that frequently follows abuse, entered the École Polytechique de Montréal. His application to admittance at the school had been rejected. He blamed feminists for ruining his life. He shot 27 people: 23 women and 4 men. 14 women died. All the men survived. 6 The "1000 Lamp Mandala Ceremony" is celebrated on DEC-10 in conjunction with Human Rights Day around the world to promote peace in Tibet and elsewhere.

Human Rights Day is observed on DEC-10, the anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on 1948-DEC-10 at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris. The document outlines the minimum human rights standards that should be available in all countries of the world. They include "the right to life, liberty and nationality, to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, to work, to be educated, [and] to take part in government." In 2011, a movement is growing to add equal treatment for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities to the human rights specified by the UDHR. Shabe-Yalda (a.k.a. Yalda, Shab-e Yaldaa, Shab-e Chelleh) is celebrated on the eve of the Winter Solstice. It was originally a religious observance of the night before the birth of Mithra -- the man-god of Mithraism -- the main competing religion to Christianity during the 3rd and 4th century CE in the Roman Empire. It has evolved into a cultural celebration observed by followers of many religions in Iran.

People gather at home around a korsee -- a low square table -- all night. They tell stories and read poetry. They eat watermelons, pomegranates and a special dried fruit/nut mix. Bonfires are lit outside. 4 Fesivus -- a celebration for the rest of us: This is a new celebration, created in 1966 and popularized on a Seinfeld comedy episode in 1997. It seem to be growing in popularity as a simple, secular, seasonal day of celebration as an alternative to Christmas and Hanukkah with a minimum of commercialization. It is held on DEC-23, approximately midway between the Winter Solstice and Christmas. More details Krismas is a secular holiday that celebrates most of the elements of Christmas, with the exception of the story/myth of Jesus' birth. Krismas observes the myth of Kris Kringle (a.k.a. Santa Claus), Rudolph and the other reindeers, elves, etc. It includes the giving of gifts, the beauty of decorated trees and building, the smell of Krismas trees, etc. But it is closer to the Pagan origins of Christmas than modern-day Christmas itself.

It was apparently created independently in 2004 by Jacob Walker and Will Shetterly, and by other individuals at other times. One of the neat features of this celebration is that Agnostics , Atheists , Deists , free thinkers, Progressive Christians , and the rest of the 68% of humanity who are not Christian can wish another person "Merry Krismas" freely without bending their beliefs out of shape. 7 Kwanza (a.k.a. Kwanzaa, Quansa) is a week-long celebration which starts on DEC-26. It is a recently developed cultural holiday celebrating African-American heritage that has been an annual tradition since 1966. "Kwanza" is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "the first fruits of the harvest". Each day focuses on one of the seven principles of Kwanza: unity, self-determination, collective work, responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. 2 Omisoka is a very popular end-of-year celebration in Japan. Families perform Ōsouji (the big cleanup) in order that the home will start the new year clean and tidy.

According to Wikipedia: "A few minutes before midnight, every temple prepares Amazake (sweet sake), and crowds gather around a metal gong which is struck 108 times. This number is believed to be number of sins and ill thoughts that can take place in a human mind." 3 Striking the gong drives these sins away. Consequences of a multiplicity of celebrations: As North America becomes more religiously and culturally diverse, there is an increasing potential for conflict near Christmas time : Some Christians object to what they feel is a diluting of their traditions due to the impact of minority religions and cultures. Some non-Christians object to the overwhelming attention paid to Christmas at this time of year, and the competition this provides to their own celebrations. Some non-religious folks object to themselves and their children being exposed to so many religious messages at this time of year on television, at shopping centers and in public schools. This topic is continued in the next essay References used: Christmas season celebrations in Australia | australia.gov.au Christmas season celebrations in Australia Australia's wine industry Christmas season celebrations in Australia Violet Teague (1872-1951), Adoration of Shepherds, 1931, oil on canvas.

Photograph by Colin Holden. Image courtesy of Anglican Church of Australia Archive. Christmas is celebrated in many parts of the world on 25 December. Protestant and Roman Catholic churches hold Christmas Day services on 25 December. The Eastern churches – the Ethiopian Orthodox church, Russian Orthodox church and the Armenian church – celebrate Christmas on 6 or 7 January. There have been rituals, parties and celebrations at this time of year for thousands of years. The birth of Jesus Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is 'the son of God', the Messiah sent from Heaven to save the world. The 'Christmas story' tells of the birth of Jesus in a stable in Bethlehem, the angels announcing the birth to the shepherds in the fields, and the Magi (wise men from the East) visiting the stable and offering gifts to the newborn child. The origins of Christmas A Roman almanac confirms that 25 December was used to celebrate Christmas in 336 AD, although it was nearly 600 years later that the churches created a liturgy – a service for public worship – for the occasion.

The choice of date is believed to have been influenced by the northern hemisphere winter solstice, as well as ancient pagan rituals that coincided with the solstice. These rituals included the Halcyon Days in Greece, a period of calm and goodwill when it was believed the sea was calm for birds to lay their eggs; and the Roman celebration of Saturnalia, a celebration of the god Saturn, which involved wild parties, the exchange of gifts and the temporary suspension of social divisions between slaves and masters. Christmas traditions and symbols A photo of Santa arriving at the beach by boat. Image courtesy of the National Archives of Australia: A1500, K26950. Christmas trees are part of a long tradition of greenery being taken into the home at Christmas to brighten the dreary winter. Mistletoe was popular with Druid priests because it remained green throughout winter. Holly placed over the doorway was believed to drive away evil. Placing branches from trees in the home was first recorded in 1494, and by the beginning of the 1600s there are records of fir trees being decorated with apples.

The story of Santa Claus has its origins in the legends surrounding the humble generosity of Saint Nicholas, whose feast day is celebrated on 6th December. Saint Nicholas was a 4th century Christian Bishop from Myra (in modern-day Turkey) who became the Patron Saint of Children. In Germany and Poland, boys dressed up as bishops begging alms for the poor. Later, the Christ child 'Christkindlein' was said to have accompanied Nicholas-like figures on their travels. The 1822 poem 'Twas the Night before Christmas forged the link and Saint Nicholas (Father Christmas, Pere Noel, Christ Kind, Kriss Kringle or Sinter Klass) became known as Santa Claus. Christmas in the southern hemisphere The heat of early summer in Australia has an impact on the way that Australians celebrate Christmas and on which northern hemisphere Christmas traditions are followed. In the weeks leading up to Christmas houses are decorated; greetings cards sent out; carols sung; Christmas trees installed in homes, schools and public places; and children delight in anticipating a visit from Santa Claus. On Christmas Day family and friends gather to exchange gifts and enjoy special Christmas food.

Many Australians spend Christmas out of doors, going to the beach for the day, or heading to camping grounds for a longer break over the Christmas holiday period. It has become traditional for international visitors who are in Sydney at Christmas time to go to Bondi Beach where up to 40,000 people visit on Christmas Day. Carols and music Christmas tree in Martin Place, Sydney 2005. File photograph. Copyright Commonwealth of Australia. The tradition of an Australian Christmas Eve carol service lit by candles was started in 1937 by radio announcer Norman Banks. This outdoor service has now been held in Melbourne every year since then. Carols by Candlelight events today range from huge gatherings, which are televised live throughout the country, to smaller local community and church events. Sydney's Carols in the Domain has become a popular platform for the stars of stage and music. Some uniquely Australian Christmas carols have become popular and are included alongside the more traditional carols sung at carol services and at Christmas church services: John Wheeler's The Three Drovers is perhaps the best known of these. Many light-hearted Australian Christmas songs have become an essential part of the Australian Christmas experience.

These include Rolf Harris's Six White Boomers, Colin Buchanan's Aussie Jingle Bells and the Australian Twelve Days of Christmas. Christmas plants Denise Greig, Blandfordia nobilis - Christmas bells. Image courtesy of Australian National Botanic Gardens: A6952. There are many native Australian plants in flower over the Christmas season. A number of these have become known as 'Christmas plants' in various parts of the country, including Christmas bells, Christmas bush and the Christmas orchid. When Europeans first arrived in Australia they were delighted that they could pick wildflowers resembling bells and bright green foliage covered in red or white flowers to use as Christmas decorations. This was a huge contrast to the bare trees and dormant gardens they had left behind in Europe. Food Christmas in Australia comes at the beginning of summer and many people no longer serve a traditional hot roast dinner. Cold turkey and ham, seafood and salads are often served instead. It has even become acceptable to serve the traditional Christmas plum pudding with cold custard, ice cream or cream. Pavlova, a meringue base topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit, and various versions of the festive ice-cream pudding have also become popular Christmas desserts.

Film and television Cover of Wombat Divine by Mem Fox. Image courtesy of Mem Fox. The films Bush Christmas (1947) starring Chips Rafferty and the remake Prince and the Great Race in 1983 (with Nicole Kidman), and Miracle Down Under starring John Waters (telecast as Bushfire Moon) are insights into the early Australian Christmas culture. Many television series have used Christmas episodes to explore the changing culture of Christmas in Australia. Children's stories Australian children grow up enjoying traditional Christmas stories such as Clement Clarke Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but children's authors and illustrators are beginning to create truly Australian children's Christmas literature. One favourite is Wombat Divine by Mem Fox, while a more recent addition is Aussie Night Before Christmas by Yvonne Morrison. Major sporting events The Christmas break is an opportunity for sports fans to enjoy two major sporting events. The 26 December is the opening day of the 'Boxing Day Test' between the Australian Cricket Team and an international touring side at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This has been well attended since the first match in 1950, and watched by many others on television.

In Sydney one of the world's most prestigious ocean races, the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, starts on Boxing Day from Sydney Harbour. Indigenous Australians A. Shnukal, Celebrating the Coming of the Light at Kemus on the anniversary of the arrival of the London Missionary Society on 1 July 1871. Darnley Island, Torres Strait. Image courtesy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland. Indigenous Dreamtime stories obviously do not include Christmas. However, this date in the calendar coincides with other seasonal changes. In Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, Yolngu Aboriginal people will observe the last season of their six-season cycle. Gudjewg, the wet season, begins in late December. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities include Christian groups within them which celebrate Christmas. The Ntaria Choir at Hermannsburg, via Alice Springs, Northern Territory, has a unique musical language from mixing the traditional vocals of the Ntaria women with Lutheran chorales - the hymn tunes that were the basis of much of J.S. Bach's music.

Baba Waiyar, a popular traditional Torres Strait Islander hymn, is featured on Lexine Solomon's debut album This is Woman (2003) - showing the influence of gospel music mixed with traditionally strong Torres Strait Islander vocals and country music. Significantly, Torres Strait Islanders celebrate the 'Coming of the Light' on 1 July, the day the London Missionary Society landed at Erub Island in 1871. Modern Indigenous Christmas celebrations are beginning to take on elements of traditional Indigenous culture. Other celebrations Although Christmas is a widely recognised holiday worldwide, there are other major festivals which occur around the same time: the Jewish people commemorate Hanukkah, Muslims observe Ramadan, African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa, and the festival of Ta Chiu is held in Hong Kong. Hanukkah In the Jewish religious calendar, the festival Hanukkah (the Hebrew word for 'dedication') commences on the 25th of Kislev, and continues for eight days. It is also referred to as the 'Festival of Lights' and celebrates a victory by a small Jewish army over the Greeks in the second century BC.

During Hanukkah, children play with a dreidel or sevivon ('spinning top'), and also receive gifts of 'Hanukkah money'. Special feasts for the children and competitions for youths are arranged. In countries where Christmas is celebrated, Hanukkah, particularly among Reform Jews, has assumed a similar form. Kwanzaa In North America, Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated by many African-Americans. It is held from 26 December until 1 January. It was started in 1966 by Dr Maulana Karenga, an American academic. The seven-day celebration encourages African-Americans to think about their African roots as well as their life in present day America. Kwanzaa - which means 'first fruits' - is based on African festivals. Ramadan The Islamic month of Ramadan sees Australia's significant population of Muslims observe traditional Ramadan practices including fasting daily from dawn to sunset. Ramadan is important for Muslims because it is believed to be the month in which the first verses of the Koran (the divine scripture) were revealed by Allah (God) to the prophet Muhammad. The Islamic calendar is only 354 days long, so Ramadan moves forward in relation to the Gregorian (Western) calendar.

Ta Chiu Ta Chiu is a Taoist festival of peace and renewal that takes place on 27 December in Hong Kong. The participants summon all of their gods and ghosts so that the gods' collective power will renew their lives. At the end of the festival, priests read aloud the names of every person who lives in the area. Then they attach the list of names to a paper horse and set it aflame, letting the names rise to heaven. Useful Links Kwanzaa Lesson Kwanzaa Lesson EL Civics History and Government FUN KWANZAA FACTS 1. Kwanzaa is a Swahili word. Swahili is the native language of several countries in east Africa and is learned as a second language by many other people. 2. A kinara is a candle stick holder. Seven candles are put in the holder: three red, one black, and three green. 3. Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community, and culture. 4. Pan-African colors: red for the noble blood that unites all people of African ancestry, black for the people, green for the rich land of Africa. 5.

The US government has issued two Kwanzaa stamps: one in 1997 and another in 2004. 6. During Kwanzaa people say Habari Gani, which means "What's the News?" 7. A uwole is a brightly colored article of clothing worn by women in Africa. Kwanzaa is a seven-day cultural festival that celebrates African American heritage. It is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga of United Slaves Organization in 1966. It was offered at that time as an African American alternative to Christmas. Recently, it has become acceptable for participants to celebrate Kwanzaa along with Christmas and Hannukah. Kwanzaa is Swahili and means "first fruits." The "Seven Principles of Kwanzaa" are: 1. Unity What Is Kwanzaa? 5 Things To Know About The Pan-African Holiday [PHOTOS] What Is Kwanzaa?

5 Things To Know About The Pan-African Holiday [PHOTOS] 12/26/13 AT 12:23 PM Close Kwanzaa, the pan-African holiday, kicks off today with a weeklong celebration of African culture and values. The African diaspora will celebrate the occasion by paying tribute to their roots and striving to lead better lives. Here are five things to know about the holiday: 1. Kwanzaa have a relatively short history compared to other traditional holidays [[nid:1520628]] Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga , founder and chairman of the Black Nationalist Organization and current professor and chairman of Africana Studies at Cal State-Long Beach, as a way for African-Americans to celebrate their heritage. Kwanzaa got its name from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” the first-fruit celebrations in Africa thanking the gods for the harvest. 2. It’s not tied to a religion While the first day of Kwanzaa starts on Dec. 26 – the day after Christmas – and is celebrated during the holiday season, it is not a religious holiday.

The holiday ends on Jan. 1. Although Karenga initially thought of Kwanzaa as an alternative to Christmas, he later changed his stance and encouraged African Christians and Africans of other religions to participate in Kwanzaa. 3. Kwanzaa is rooted in seven principles These principles are known as Nguzo Saba, and each value represents an aspect of African philosophy. In his Kwanzaa 2013 message , Karenga explains the purpose of the principles: “The Nguzo Saba stand out as a clear way to walk, work and struggle in the world as African people; a way of life that begins with the respect for the relational character of human life,” he wrote. “It is a cultural way we call communitarian, i.e., community-grounded, which understands that we come into being, develop and flourish relationships.

And it is a way that teaches that the hub and hinge on which the whole of human life turns is the quality of relationships.” The principles are: Umoja (Unity); Kujichagulia (Self-determination); Ujima (Collective work and responsibility); Ujamaa (Cooperative economics); Nia (Purpose); Kuumba (Creativity); and Imani (Faith). A candle holder known as a kinara sets up seven candles, each representing one of the Kwanzaa principles. The kinara is lit during Kwanzaa. [[nid:1520632]] 4. Presents are exchanged, but at least some of the gifts should be educational According to the official Kwanzaa website , which is maintained by Karenga, “Gifts are given mainly to children, but must always include a book and a heritage symbol. The book is to emphasize the African value and tradition of learning stressed since ancient Egypt, and the heritage symbol to affirm and reinforce the African commitment to tradition and history.” 5.

The Kwanzaa celebration Celebrities On Christmas: Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, And More [PHOTOS] Kwanzaa observers are instructed to avoid mixing symbols of the holiday with other celebrations, such as Christmas. “First, you should come to the celebration with a profound respect for its values, symbols and practices and do nothing to violate its integrity, beauty and expansive meaning,” the official Kwanzaa website advises. “Secondly, you should not mix the Kwanzaa holiday or its symbols, values and practice with any other culture. This would violate the principles of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) and this would violate the integrity of the holiday. “Thirdly, choose the best and most beautiful items to celebrate Kwanzaa. This means taking time to plan and select the most beautiful objects of art, colorful African cloth, fresh fruits and vegetables, etc., so that every object used represents African culture and your commitment to the holiday in the best of ways.” Some of these items include the kinara, crops to symbolize African harvest celebrations, and corn, which represents children and the future.

Kwanzaa | Teacherplanet.com Home » Kwanzaa Kwanzaa Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration observed from December 26th to January 1st each year. It was first celebrated in 1966 and held to honor African American heritage. The original goal of the holiday was to provide African Americans an alternative to Christmas and to celebrate themselves and to reconnect with their culture and heritage. However, it was later recognized that Christmas is an important celebration with many African American families and is often celebrated along with Kwanzaa. There are seven days of Kwanzaa and each day is meant to be dedicated to one of the seven principles of the culture. They include: Umoja (Unity) Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) Imani (Faith) Teaching the Holiday of Kwanzaa to Your Young Students It's easy to focus on Christmas during the holiday season. However, it is also a great time to learn about other cultures, traditions and religions. Kwanzaa is the perfect holiday to learn about in the classroom because it offers the opportunity to learn about and celebrate a culture.

The holiday's seven principles are also good principles to learn and discuss in the classroom. Teacher Planet has all the Kwanzaa classroom resources you need to bring this holiday to your students. Worksheets Kwanzaa | African-American holiday | Britannica.com African-American holiday Halloween Kwanzaa, annual holiday affirming African family and social values that is celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1. Both the name and the celebration were devised in 1966 by Maulana Karenga , a professor of Africana studies at California State University in Long Beach and an important figure in Afrocentrism . Karenga borrowed the word kwanza, meaning “first,” from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, adding the seventh letter, an extra a, to make the word long enough to accommodate one letter for each of the seven children present at an early celebration. (The name Kwanzaa is not itself a Swahili word.) The concept of Kwanzaa draws on Southern African first-fruits celebrations.

A family begins the Kwanzaa celebration by lighting a candle symbolizing … © Lawrence Migdale Although Kwanzaa is primarily an African American holiday, it has also come to be celebrated outside the United States, particularly in Caribbean and other countries where there are large numbers of descendants of Africans. It was conceived as a nonpolitical and nonreligious holiday, and it is not considered to be a substitute for Christmas . Each of the days of the celebration is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). There also are seven symbols of the holiday: fruits, vegetables, and nuts; a straw mat; a candleholder; ears of corn (maize); gifts; a communal cup signifying unity; and seven candles in the African colours of red, green, and black, symbolizing the seven principles. On each day the family comes together to light one of the candles in the kinara, or candleholder, and to discuss the principle for the day.

On December 31, families join in a community feast called the karamu. Some participants wear traditional African clothing during the celebration. Learn More in these related articles:

Question: What African-American Christmas alternative was first celebrated in 1966?
Answer: Kwanzaa