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7-Day Festival of Kwanzaa Begins Today
Photo by soulchristmas via Flickr
With Hanukkah and Christmas 2009 now behind us, another major December holiday begins today: Kwanzaa.
Created in 1966 by a man named Maulana Karenga, now a CSULB professor, Kwanzaa honors the Seven Principles during its 7 days: "unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith," as explained by an article by the CNS published by abc7.
Celebrants light a candelabrum called a kinara, and some opt to display a three-color flag or fast before the final night's feast. For many, the holiday is an important celebration of black heritage, unity, and expression. As part of the festival today a parade and a celebration was held in Leimert Park.
Learn more about Leimert Park via LAist's Neighborhood Project, then head down there tomorrow for a soulful brunch, or check out one of the spots we checked out in the Leimert Park Eats series: Cafe Soul, Ackee Bamboo, M&M Soul Food, Shabazz Good Foods, or Mama's House.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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