Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday that honors African-American heritage. Doctor Maulana Karenga, a Professor at the California State University, began Kwanzaa in 1966. It happens from December 26 to January 1 every year. To celebrate, common activities are candle-lighting and pouring of drinks as an offering to a god, as well as feasts and gift-giving. In Kwanzaa there are seven candles and seven main principles, each of which is represented through a day. Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), and Imani (faith in the people) are some examples of the seven principles. The candles are typically made up of three red, three green, and one black candle. The color red stands for the blood of the people, black for the people themselves, and green for hope and the color of the motherland.
Winter Solstice is the shortest and darkest day of the year, taking place around the 21st of December for the Northern Hemisphere and the 21st of June for the Southern Hemisphere. The earth has a tilt on its axis, so time of day changes throughout the year. Those who celebrate Winter Solstice see it as an optomistic turning point, for the days are only to get brighter from then on. It is a holiday celebrated throughout many countries and cultures, often each with their own name and set of traditions. In Roman times it was called Saturnalia and celebrated as a large fair and a festival of the home. Boughs of laurel and evergreen trees were used as decoration; evergreens symbolized life's continuity. Lamps were kept burning to ward off dark spirits, the army rested, and no criminals were executed. Gifts included items like fruit, cakes, candles, dolls, jewelry, and incense. People wore masks or darkened their faces and danced through the streets. Mummers was the custom of visiting neighbours in costume, and is still alive in
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