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Listen and read along with the passage about Kwanzaa.

During Kwanzaa, younger family members spend time with and learn from older family members.

Kwanzaa is a holiday that celebrates African American families. It began in the United States in 1966. A man named Dr. Maulana Karenga started it to help African American people connect with their ancestors. Ancestors are family members who lived long ago. During Kwanzaa, many African American people celebrate their families and their history.

In the past, many African people were brought to the Americas as enslaved people. Enslaved means being owned by someone else and forced to work for them. Families were often split up. It was hard for enslaved people to spend time together. They couldn't celebrate holidays the way they did in Africa. Since families often lived apart, it was harder for older people to share family stories. Many traditions, meaning special things people have done for many years, were lost.

Kwanzaa connects African American people with their ancestors. Some Kwanzaa traditions come from African harvest holidays. For example, the name Kwanzaa means "first fruits" in an African language called Swahili. This name comes from African holidays that celebrate the first fruits and vegetables harvested each year. These harvest holidays honor the hard work people put into growing food together. During Kwanzaa, people think about how to work together to grow their communities, just like how people work together to grow food.

What does Kwanzaa celebrate?

the history of African American people

the language, music, and art of East Africa

the birthday of a man named Maulana Karenga

the fall fruit harvest season in Africa

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