maulana karenga

Here in Buffalo Kwanzaa is and has always been a big deal. In fact, the Kwanzaa celebration in Buffalo is one of the largest in the country and the founder of Kwanzaa Maulana Karenga said that the people of Buffalo are some of the most “Kwanzaa conscious” in the country!

The name Kwanzaa has its origins in the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” that means “first fruits”. The celebration of Kwanzaa with family is done in a variety of ways from storytelling, African drums, poetry, and a traditional meal. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the Kinara (which is the candleholder), then one of the seven principles is