African Americans.

Kwanza, which means the first fruits of the harvest in the East African language of Kiswahili, was founded in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga.

Dr. Karenga, a Black Studies professor, did not create Kwanza to be a Christmas substitute.

But the doctor did recognise the hardships blacks, and others who earn low incomes, endured as a result of the over commercialisation of Christmas.

Kwanza was created as an additional option for those who still wish to be part of the holiday season.

What makes Kwanza unique is that the it is neither a religious nor political holiday. Kwanza is a cultural holiday celebrated annually from December 26 through January 1.

Kwanza is based on seven principles, called the Nguzo Saba which Dr. Karenga described in 1965: Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race; Kujichagulia (Self determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create ourselves and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for by others; Ujima (Collective work and responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our sister's and brother's problems our problems and to solve them together; Ujamaa (Cooperative economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together; Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness; Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it; Imani (Faith): To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

There are seven basic symbols, and two optional symbols, of Kwanza which according to the book "Kwanza, Everything you Always Wanted to Know, But Didn't know Where to Ask'' evolved out of the life and struggle of African Americans.

The first symbol, Mazao (crops like fruit and vegetables) represents the rewards of collective productive labour.

Dr. Karenga said the Mkeka (place mat) was the symbol of tradition and history.

"Since Kwanza seeks to inspire appreciation and practice of values which aid us in our lives and struggles, the stress on tradition and history become unavoidable,'' he said. "One can not escape tradition and history, for they form the foundation on which correct knowledge and true understanding are built.'' The Kinara (candle holder) originally represented continental Africans, the forefathers. But since the early days of Kwanza, the Kinara has evolved to symbolise ancestors in general.

Ears of corn (Vibunzi), represents children and each family only uses as many ears of corn as they have children.

With Kwanza, Zawadi (gifts) are given on merit and are usually only exchanged among the immediate family. Gifts should be educational and homemade presents are encouraged.

The communal unity cup (Kikombe Cha Umoja) is used to pour Tambiko (libation) in the direction of the four winds, north, east south and west.

The cup is also passed among family members, who drink from the cup in honour of ancestors and to promote the spirit of oneness.

And the Mishumaa Saba (the seven candles) represent the Nguzo Saba (the seven principles) at the heart of Kwanza.

Each candle represents a distinct principle beginning with the black centre candle, Umoja (unity). A candle is lit each day, starting from left to right after the Umoja candle has been lit.

The two optional symbols of Kwanza are to have the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) printed in large letters and displayed for all to see and the national flag (Bendera ya Taifa).

The national flag is the black, red and green flag by Marcus Garvey, a founding father of the modern Black nationalist movement. Black represents the faces of Black people, red symbolise the blood Black's shed, and green was for hope and the colour of the Motherland, Africa.

To celebrate Kwanza a place mat made of straw, a candle holder with the seven candles, a variety of fruit, ears of corn representing the number of children in the house, gifts and a communal cup should be arranged on a table. Each day, between December 26 and January 1, a candle is lit -- beginning with the black, centre candle.