Kwanzaa begins
Happy Kwanzaa! Kwanzaa begins Monday , December 26, 2011 , and ends Sunday , January 1, 2012 . The word "Kwanzaa" comes from the Swahili language and means "first fruits". The African-American holiday was first established in 1966 and mainly celebrated in the United States. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa 1. umoja - to maintain unity in the family and community 2. kujichagulia - self-determination, to be responsible and speak for oneself 3. ujima - collective work and responsibility, to build and maintain a community 4. ujamaa - economic co-operation, to help and profit one another