Although the festival of Kwanzaa is a recent creation, it connects with beliefs, practices, and traditions which stretch back thousands of years into African history and prehistory. Many of these have been kept alive by oral transmission—the passing on of a living culture in the form of stories—and by the continuity of rituals of singing and dancing. Kwanzaa seeks to celebrate the African heritage of Americans, and to reaffirm the strong and positive values embodied in that heritage.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. It arose out of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and was intended by Dr. Karenga to unify and strengthen the movement by providing it with a common cultural focus, thus giving African Americans something to celebrate in the midst of their long struggle for liberation.

Kwanzaa also asserts community values. These were formulated by the Organization of Us, the parent organization of Kwanza. They are known collectively as the Nguzo Sabe—the Seven Principles: Umoja is unity in the family, community, nation, and people; Kujichagulia is self-determination, through which people learn to define themselves and speak proudly with their own voice; Ujima is responsibility, both individual and communal; Ujamaa is collective economics, a practical virtue which encourages African Americans to create and run their own businesses; Nia is the sense of purpose, vital to growth, prosperity and dignity of the African American community; Kuumba is creativity, which seeks to make both the community and the world better and more beautiful; Imani is faith—in family, teachers, leaders, in the African American community, and in the virtue of its continuing struggle. The virtues, as well as the symbols, greetings, and many other aspects of Kwanzaa, are expressed in Swahili.

Kwanzaa lasts seven days, from December 26 to January 1, and each day is dedicated to one of the Seven Principles. Each day, the lighting of a candle represents the kindling of a virtue. The candles are set in a candelabrum caked a kenara—not unlike the Jewish menorah. The kenara is one of many symbolic objects associated with Kwanzaa. Others include a straw mat, called a mkeka, on which the kenara is placed. Ears of corn (vibunzi), representing the children of the family, are also placed on the mat, along with a basket of fruit, called a mazao—the mazao is a reminder that Kwanzaa has roots in the traditional harvest festivals of Africa. Finally, there is the Unity Cup, or kikombe cha umoja, which is also placed on the mat. These together with Kwanzaa gifts known as the zewadi are handed out on the last day of Kwanzaa.

On the evening of Kuumba, a feast is held. Families and friends come together to celebrate, to remember heritage, to pledge their love and support to each other and to the community, and to dedicate themselves to the future. On the last day, Imani, gifts are exchanged. These are usually handmade, expressing kuumba as well as love and respect.

Over the years since its creation, the celebration of Kwanzaa has become very widespread, not only in the United States but in every country that is part of the African diaspora. Because it is not a religious festival, black people of every faith can come together to celebrate their heritage and their unity.