Kwanzaa: History and Recipes

Patheos staff

Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrating African culture and values, and it occurs annually from December 26 to January 1. Although it originated as recently as 1966, during the American civil rights movement, Kwanzaa has quickly grown in popularity. It is a celebration for African Americans, for African descendants in other countries, and for Africans in general. During this holiday, observers strengthen and celebrate African community, family, and culture. 

The word "Kwanzaa" is part of the Swahili phrase "matunda ya Kwanza," meaning "first fruits." This holiday is modeled after first fruit, or harvest, festivals that took place in ancient Africa over a seven-day period.  

During Kwanzaa, however, emphasis is placed on cultural, rather than on agricultural, values. In particular, it focuses on Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) for uniting those of African heritage: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.  

As such, Kwanzaa is not a religious, but rather a cultural holiday. Although beginning on the day after Christmas, it is not meant as an alternative celebration. Instead, Africans who are Christian (or of any other faith) may celebrate both holidays. During Christmas, they recognize their religious heritage; during Kwanzaa, they acknowledge their cultural heritage.  

As part of the celebration, family members decorate a table with special symbols. They usually begin with an African tablecloth, which they cover with a woven mat and a candleholder with seven candles. These candles represent the Seven Principles and are black, red, and green. The one black candle symbolizes the African people, the three red candles their struggle, and the three green candles their hopes for the future. On each day of Kwanzaa, one candle is lit.  

Besides these objects, observers also decorate the table with ears of corn, a cup (for pouring a libation in honor of ancestors), books on African life, as well as African objects of art. Many families have striven to keep Kwanzaa simple and focused on internal values, apart from the commercialism and hectic activities often accompanying Christmas.

Food

Observers of Kwanzaa hold a special feast (Karamu) on the evening of December 31, which is the sixth day of the holiday. This is traditionally divided into various formal parts, including: Welcoming, Remembering, Reassessment and Recommitment, Rejoicing, Libation Statement, and the Farewell Statement.

No one type of food is necessarily associated with this feast. Depending on the region, however, many families do serve sweet potato waffles, sweet potato pie or soup, besides fried okra, collard greens, and benne cakes. In addition, Kwanzaa meals usually include traditional African dishes; this, again, will depend where the family and its ancestors trace their roots. Those from Kenya often prepare chicken with coconut milk, those from Ghana prepare coconut rum balls.

Benne cakes are cookies originally from West Africa. The word "Benne" means sesame seeds, which are associated with good luck. The tradition of eating these treats is still preserved in some regions of the American South.  

Recipes

Benne cakes

1 cup finely packed brown sugar 
1/4 cup butter  
1 egg, beaten 
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 
1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1 cup toasted sesame seeds

Preheat the oven to 325°. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. Mix together the brown sugar and butter, and beat until they are creamy. Stir in the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and sesame seeds.  Drop rounded teaspoons of dough onto the cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are browned.

Sweet Potato Waffles

¼ cup butter
1 ½ cups flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
¼ tsp. nutmeg
3 eggs, separated
1 cup milk
1 cup mashed sweet potatoes

Melt butter. Set it aside to cool. Sift dry ingredients together. Beat egg yolks, then combine with milk, sweet potatoes, and melted butter. Stir in dry ingredients. Beat egg whites until they form soft peaks. Fold into sweet potato mixture. Cook on a preheated waffle iron.