African-American New Yorkers joined millions worldwide in beginning the seven-day celebration of Kwanzaa yesterday.
The festival, which runs to Jan. 1, was first celebrated in 1966. The name comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.”
The holiday recognizes a different principle on each of its seven days. They are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.