Kwanzaa

English

Wikiquote

Etymology

Coined by Maulana Karenga from the (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning “first fruits”. The additional “a” was added to “Kwanza” so that the word would have seven letters, one for each of the Seven Principles of Blackness.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkwɑnzə/

Proper noun

Kwanzaa (plural Kwanzaas)

1. A week-long African-American cultural holiday held between December 26 and January 1.