What is the origin of Kwanzaa related to?

Kwanzaa is an African American cultural holiday. Begins on the December 26th, and lasts seven full days through January 1 st. Kwanzaa celebrates family, community, and African heritage and culture. Millions of people celebrate Kwanzaa every year in the United States. African communities and many other parts of the world also celebrate the holiday. The word "Kwanzaa" pronounced "kuang za" , comes from a Swahili phrase that means "first fruits". Swahili is one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The first fruits or the first crops harvested at the end of the year’ s growing season. Harvest celebration in Africa date back thousands of years. Modern harvest celebrations still take place in many parts of Africa. And an African American scholar named Mauluna Karenga developed Kwanzaa in the United States in 1966. Karenga wanted a special time for African Americans to honor their African heritage, and their own African American culture. Karenga wanted Kwanzaa to be a time of gathering for families and friends for giving thanks. Since the 1960s, Kwanzaa has spread to many other parts of the world. The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red, and green. These colors were important symbols in ancient Africa. People celebrate Kwanzaa by decorating their homes with these colors. Other decorations include traditional African crafts, such as colorful cloth and woven baskets. In many homes, families exchange gifts. A major part of Kwanzaa is the lighting of seven candles, called Ilshumma. Each day a candle is lit to represent one of the seven principles of black culture developed by Karenga. These principles encourage people to live well according to African ideals.