created the only "indigenous, non-heroic Black holiday in the United States.'' Dr. Maulana Karenga, a Black Studies professor who describes himself as a cultural nationalist, called this holiday "Kwanzaa.'' Kwanzaa originated as a cultural ideal and an expression of the naturalist Us organisation, headed by Dr. Karenga. It is unique in that it is neither a religious, political nor heroic holiday, but instead a cultural one. Kwanzaa, an East African Kiswahili word meaning "the first'', or "the first fruits of the harvest,'' is celebrated from December 26 through January 1.

Kwanzaa is based upon seven fundamental principles which are referred to as the Nguzo Saba.

The Nguzo Saba was created by Dr. Karenga in 1965 and "represents the minimum set of principles by which Blacks must live in order to receive and reconstruct our history and lives...they are social principles, dealing with ways for us to relate to each other and rebuild our lives in our own image.'' The Seven Principles of the Nguzo Saba are: UMOJA (Unity) -- To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

KUJICHAGULIA -- (self-determination) To define ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves, instead of being defined, named, created for, and spoken for by others.

UJIMA (Collective Work and Responsibility) -- To build and maintain our community together and to make our sisters' and brothers' problems our problems and to solve them together.

UJAMAA (Co-operative Economics) -- To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

NIA (Purpose) -- To make as our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

KUUMBA (Creativity) -- To do always as much as we can, in the way we can in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial then when we inherited it.

IMANI (Faith) -- To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and the victory of our struggle.

Kwanzaa is not a Christian substitute. Although Dr. Karenga recognised the undue hardship that the over-commercialisation of Christmas has for Black people and others, those who find Kwanzaa to be more meaningful to them now have an option and can still be part of the holiday season.

Kwanzaa is an "earth-rooted, social holiday; a holiday of definite people, with definite needs, history and a social purpose. It is not a time for star-reading, spreading guba dust, or praying to invisible beings or forces.. .moreover, it is not a Black Christmas or Black Chanukkah, or anything similar.'' Like most holidays, Kwanzaa has its symbols. These symbols are instructive and inspirational objects that represent and reinforce desirable principles, concepts and practices. There are seven basic symbols and two optional symbols that are both traditional and modern items and therefore reflect traditional, as well as modern, concepts which came out of the life and struggle of African-American people.

The seven basic symbols of Kwanzaa are: Mazao (fruit and vegetables) Mkeka (place mat) Kinara (the candle holder for seven candles: one black, three red, and three green) Vibunzi (ears of corn: one for each child in the home) Zawadi (gifts) Kikombe Cha Umoja (communal unity cup) Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles) The two optional, or supplementary, symbols are the Nguzo Saba (seven principles) usually printed in large letters for all to see, and the Bendera ya Taifa (the national flag or standard).

The bendera is the black, red, and green flag adopted by the father of the black nationalist movement, Marcus Garvey. Red was for the blood that was shed, green is for hope and is also the colour of the Motherland, and black was for the face of the people.

The mazao (fruit and vegetables) have significance because they symbolise the rewards of collective labour. Moreover, as Kwanzaa means first or first fruits, it was patterned after the traditional celebrations that take place among African agricultural societies at harvest time. The mazao therefore represent the traditional roots of the holiday itself.

Dr. Karenga states, "The mkeka (place mats) is the symbol of tradition and by extension, history. Since Kwanzaa seeks to inspire appreciation and practice of values which aid us in our lives and struggle, the stress on tradition and history become unavoidable.'' The kinara (candle holder) is the symbol of the continental Africans. By incorporating this symbol, Dr. Karenga uses a Zulu concept. In early Kwanzaa celebrations the kinara was used to symbolise Nkulunkulu, the first born, the father of both the African-American people and their principles. Since the early days of Kwanzaa it has become the symbol of ancestors.

The Vibunzi (corn) represent children, so each family uses as many ears of corn as it has children. Dr. Karenga states, "In traditional terminology, the ears of corn represent the produce of the stalk, and the potential of the offspring to become stalks or producers and reproducers themselves, thus ensuring the immortality of the people or nation.'' The Zawadi (gifts) should be given as a reward for commitments made and kept, and are usually exchanged among immediate family members. Gifts given during Kwanzaa are not given automatically, but according to merit. Usually they are of an educational nature. The most highly prized are the handmade gifts, as the object is not to fall victim to the over-commercialisation that traditionally characterises Christmas.

The Kikombe Cha Umoja (Unity cup) suggests the first and most important principle of Kwanzaa -- unity. It is used to pour the liquid offerings in the directions of the four winds -- north, south, east and west, in remembrance of the ancestors. The unity cup may then be passed among members of the family and guests who may choose to sip or make a sipping gesture. This is done to honour the ancestors and to promote the spirit of unity.

The Mishumaa Saba (seven candles) represent the seven principles which are the central theme of Kwanzaa. According to Dr. Karenga, "The seven principles have their root in research of African cultures which revealed recurrent value emphasis, values that reinforced the bonds between the people and increased their human possibilities for meaningful and fulfilling life.'' Since each candle represents a distinct principle beginning with Umoja (unity, the black centre candle), a candle is lit each day from left to right after the Umoja candle.

The evening of December 31 has a special meaning because the Kwanza Karamu is held then. The karamu allows for cultural expression as well as feasting.

During Kwanzaa, participants fast from sunrise to sunset to cleanse their bodies, minds and spirits.

Dr. Karenga said: "This is a holiday which we decided on, using tradition and reason. To us it is a sign of self-determination and self-respect. And it is one of the legacies that we leave our children as that they will not turn to each other and say `our fathers have left us nothing.'' SYMBOLS OF FAITH -- The seven-branched Kinara and the Kikombee Cha Umoja (unity cup), visible symbols of the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, become objects of special meaning during the eight days of Kwanzaa celebration.

(Courtesy True Reflections).