In Swahili kwanzaa means gathering first fruits. Kwanzaa thus is the annual festival celebrating African American heritage based on African harvest rituals. Created in 1966 by black nationalist Maulana Karenga, it is observed December 26–January 1.

It includes family, community, church, club, or school gatherings. These include candle-lighting, recitation, gifts, food, and drink, honoring seven principles: umoja (unity), kujichangulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (faith). Its observance endures. According to a market survey in 2001, one in seven African Americans celebrated kwanzaa as a spiritual, cultural, or commercial complement to Christmas.