Chic African Culture Africa Factbook

Did you know?

1. No African country names begin with the letters F, H, I, J, O, P, Q, V, W, X, or Y.

2. Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent.

3. The Republic of the Congo is one of the most urbanized countries in Africa.

Kwanzaa Is Meant to Help You Start the New Year Off Right

Kwanzaa Is Meant to Help You Start the New Year off Right Kwanzaa

Umoja (oo-MO-jah) means Unity

Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-GOO-lee-ah) means Self-Determination

Ujima (oo-jah-MAH) means Collective Work and Responsibility

Ujamaa (U-jay-ma) means Cooperative Economics

Nia (NEE-ah) means Purpose

Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) means Creativity

Imani (ee-MAH-nee) means Faith



Kwanzaa is meant to help you start the New Year off right. A new year inspires renewed energy and excitement for what could happen and Kwanzaa seven principles of unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith fit right into the New Year resolutions wish list.

Beginning December 26 and lasting for seven days until the first day of the New Year, Kwanzaa is a celebration of everyone's community, family and culture.

History of Kwanzaa, each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of seven principles. The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green; Black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and success that comes from their struggle.

Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa seven principles are known as the Nguzo Saba (n-GU-zo SAH-bah).

Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced Kwanzaa in 1966 to the Africans of the American diaspora as a ceremonial celebration to welcome the first fruit harvests in the Americas. Dr. Karenga created Kwanzaa “to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to the building and reinforcing of family, community, and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community”.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is not an African Christmas celebration, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, nor is it meant to replace Christmas. The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration that begins on December 26 and ends on January 1.

Kwanzaa has seven symbols that represent the values reflective of a peaceable world known as the Nguzo Saba. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. The name Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili term, "matunda ya kwanza", which means first-fruits, Kwanzaa is based on African harvest celebrations.

What is Kwanzaa? People of many faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds celebrate Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a time for all communities to gather together to celebrate ancestry, African culture, future, and past endeavors and virtues. Kwanzaa can be used as a positive force in all communities. Kwanzaa pays respect to beloved ancestors and to elders for their wisdom, knowledge, sacrifice, and fortitude.

People of many faiths, cultures, and ethnic backgrounds celebrate Kwanzaa.

Africa is surrounded by water but is not an island, here are a few African Island facts.

Madagascar is the 4th large island in the world and is located in the Indian Ocean supporting a unique biology, about 90% of its plants and animals are found nowhere else on earth.

Composed of 155 islands, Seychelles is Africa's smallest country. By far the largest island is Mahe, home to about 90% of the population and the site of its capital city of Victoria.

Cabo Verde has a strategic location 310 miles or 500 km from the west coast of Africa near major north-south sea routes; important communications station; important sea and air refueling site.

Africa is surrounded by water but by definition Africa is not an island because Africa is a continent. Continents can not be considered islands because of their size and also by historic definition since many people who study geography define islands and continents as two different things.

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African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

African cultures express, encourage, and communicate energy

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Being African in America I have grown up learning about different ethnic cultures. My father and mother are historians of African culture and history and their influence expanded my activities to several best-selling cookbooks, magazine columns, self-branded products, and a popular African culture and food blog.

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Be better than average and support African history and culture. Since 2008 Chic African Culture and The African Gourmet highlight Africa through her food and culture. Contact us culture1africangourmet@gmail.com

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