TYLER, Texas — Editor's Note: The above video is from December 2022.
The African American Cultural Events Committee will host a celebration of Kwanzaa starting next week at the Tyler Public Library.
Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor and chairman of Black studies at a California university, as a way to bring African Americans together.
During the holiday, seven principles are celebrated across seven days. The principles, or Nguzo Saba, that were created by Karenga are discussed and people light one of the candles on the Kinara, which is the name for the candleholder.
Kwanzaa begins Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 1. It is a secular, cultural holiday that is not connected to a religion.
Starting the day after Christmas, the African American Cultural Events Committee will be inside the Taylor Auditorium from 6 to 8 p.m. nightly to honor each principle through Jan. 1.
The following principles of Kwanzaa are:
- Unity: Umoja
- Self-determination: Kujichagulia
- Collective Work and Responsibility: Ujima
- Cooperative Economics: Ujamaa
- Purpose: Nia
- Creativity: Kuumba
- Faith: Imani