Every year my family does Kwanzaa and it is honestly my favourite time of year. We do Christmas too — we do both — but Kwanzaa is the special one. It feels like something just for us.
What We Actually Do
Kwanzaa is seven days, from December 26 to January 1. Each day has a principle and a colour candle. My little brother and I take turns lighting the candles — we LOVE this part. The kinara sits in the middle of the table and every night it gets one more candle lit. It looks so beautiful.
My mum cooks special food on the big feast day, which is called Karamu. We have jollof rice and fried plantains and this really good stew she learned from my grandmother. The whole house smells incredible.
My Favourite Principle
My favourite one is Kujichagulia. That means Self-Determination. It means you get to define who you are — nobody else defines you. You get to speak for yourself. You get to be yourself.
I love this principle because I used to worry a lot about what other people thought of me. And learning this word — Kujichagulia — it was like having a word for what I wanted to be. Self-determined. I say it to myself sometimes. It sounds so powerful.
My second favourite is Imani, which is Faith. Faith in yourself, in your people, in your future. On the last day of Kwanzaa, my dad asks everyone at the table what they have faith in. Last year I said I have faith that I'm going to do something important one day. Everyone clapped. I felt so proud.
What the Candles Mean
The three red candles are for struggles. The three green candles are for hope and the future. And the black one in the middle is for us — our people. My little brother always wants to hold the black candle. He thinks it's the most important one. And honestly? He's right.
Gifts Are Different at Kwanzaa
We do exchange gifts but they have to mean something. Last year my parents got me a journal with my name embossed on it. My mum said a journal is a tool for Kujichagulia — for writing my own story. I've filled nearly two of them already.
If your family doesn't celebrate Kwanzaa yet, maybe you could try it this year? Even just learning about the seven principles is really beautiful. They're not just for December — I try to think about them all year. Unity. Self-Determination. Collective Work. Faith. These are things I want to carry with me always.