It's the Most Word-ful Time of the Year!: Kwanzaa Vocabulary: December 26–January 1

Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966 by as a celebration of African-American culture. It takes place over seven days, from December 26–January 1, and includes gift-giving, feasting, and devotion to seven principles organized around building and strengthening the Black community. Many of the words associated with Kwanzaa come from Swahili; matunda ya kwanza means "first fruits of the harvest."
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. caftan
    a long cloak with full sleeves
    Maya Rudolph looked both extraordinarily glamorous and extraordinarily comfortable in her sequined caftan. Slate (Feb 9, 2020)
    Some women wear caftans, often made from brightly colored kente cloth, as part of their Kwanzaa observations. Caftan is a Turkish word that's also used in Persian.
  2. candelabra
    branched candlestick; ornamental; has several lights
    “It’s like India,” Shoba said, watching him tend his makeshift candelabra. Interpreter of Maladies
    Kwanzaa celebrations include lighting candles on a kinara, a seven-branched candelabra. Each candle symbolizes one of the seven principles that the holiday celebrates. Three red candles go on the left, three green on the right, and one black one sits in the center spot. A new candle is lit each day, corresponding to that day's principle.
  3. cooperative
    involving the joint activity of two or more
    Eligible grant applicants include county conservation districts; municipalities; qualified conservation nonprofits; county cooperative extension natural resource programs; public and private schools; and scout groups. Washington Times (Nov 26, 2020)
    Ujamaa means "cooperative economics" in Swahili. This principle encourages members of the Black community to create and support their own businesses, building a strong financial and economic foundation that benefits everyone.
  4. creativity
    the ability to bring something into existence
    The course will introduce students to important historical events and leaders, focusing on the leadership, strength, intellect, and creativity of the women and men who shaped African American History. Seattle Times (Dec 4, 2020)
    The principle of Kumbaa refers to creativity, to the the resourceful use of one's talent and imagination to improve the community on an ongoing basis.
  5. dashiki
    a loose and brightly colored African shirt
    Brief scenes find the artist backstage just prior to greeting the crowd or buying a dashiki before the set at the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market. Los Angeles Times (Feb 14, 2020)
    Dashikis are often worn as part of Kwanzaa celebrations. Unlike the many Swahili words associated with Kwanzaa, dashiki originated in West Africa.
  6. determination
    deciding or controlling something's outcome or nature
    I do think there’s a will and determination here and a spirit that we will prevail. New York Times (Oct 27, 2020)
    Kujichagulia means "self determination," referring to the essential importance of individuals and communities naming, defining, and speaking for themselves.
  7. faith
    a strong belief in a divine power or powers
    The help “just restored my faith in humanity a little bit.” Seattle Times (Dec 3, 2020)
    Imani, meaning "faith", reflects the importance of belief — in the principles, oneself, one's community, and in the righteousness of the struggle. Faith comes from the Latin fidere, meaning "to trust," which in turn comes from the Greek peithesthai, which means "to be persuaded" or "to obey."
  8. feast
    a ceremonial dinner party for many people
    There are also remains of long halls, probably used for ceremonies and feasts that went on for days. BBC (Dec 3, 2020)
  9. harvest
    the gathering of a ripened crop
    They later allowed residents to return to Gnadenhütten to harvest their crops. An Indigenous People’s History of the United States
  10. libation
    the act of pouring a liquid offering as a religious ceremony
    Some got down on their knees to pray and pour libations on the ground in Taylor’s honor. Los Angeles Times (Oct 4, 2020)
    Ceremonial toasts are given with libations in a Kikombe cha Umoja, or "unity cup." Libation is Latin, from the verb libare, meaning "to pour out wine in honor of a deity."
  11. principle
    a basic generalization that is accepted as true
    “I subscribe to the principles of what so many demonstrators, me among them, were marching for this summer,” she said. New York Times (Dec 7, 2020)
    The seven principles of Kwanzaa were originally known as Nguzo Saba, or "the seven principles of African heritage." Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the principles.
  12. purpose
    an anticipated outcome that guides your planned actions
    “We’re working to create a new vision and purpose for The Flea through a residency program in which artists will be paid,” Hendryx wrote. New York Times (Dec 4, 2020)
    Nia refers to the shared purpose of nurturing a vital and dynamic community. Purpose is a synonym for "goal" or "objective."
  13. responsibility
    the social force that binds you to a course of action
    “Now it’s our responsibility, and it’s very hard.” Los Angeles Times (Dec 7, 2020)
    Ujima refers to the collective work and responsibility everyone shares in building and maintaining a community.
  14. unity
    an undivided or unbroken completeness with nothing wanting
    Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are expected to be full participants in the Clippers’ training camp this week, helping the team build unity they lacked last season. Los Angeles Times (Dec 3, 2020)
    Umoja, meaning "unity," describes a state of existence where members of a community or society agree on core beliefs and goals and the ways to achieve them. Unity comes from the Latin unus, meaning "one," which is also the root of unified, unanimous, and unique.
Created on Wed Dec 02 15:08:02 EST 2020 (updated Thu Dec 17 13:02:55 EST 2020)

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