Kwanzaa Facts, History, Traditions

The cultural holiday of Kwanzaa actually has its roots in the ashes of riot.

It was started in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and chairman of black studies at Cal State Long Beach.

Following the 1965 Watts riots, Karenga was searching for a way to bring African-Americans together as a community, according to an article on history.com.

The professor researched African "first fruit" harvest festivals. He combined aspects of several different cultures, including the Zulu and Ashanti, and formed Kwanzaa.

The cultural holiday begins every year on Dec. 26 and lasts for seven days.

The name Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase that means "first fruits."

Families celebrate Kwanzaa in different ways, but most involve songs, dances, drums and storytelling.

On each of the seven nights, a child lights a candle and one of the seven Kwanzaa principles slated for that evening is discussed.

Those principles are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

For more on Kwanzaa traditions, click here.