Kwanzaa Kinera, the mishumaa saba (seven candles) and how similar that tradition was to the Jewish Hanukkah tradition of lighting the Hanukkah menorah or Hanukiyah which has seven or nine candles. I’ve often wondered if the mishumaa saba was borrowed from Jewish tradition. there is no proof of this,although this isn’t necessarily a problem. The Jewish people were enslaved in Egypt, Ethiopia has a strong Jewish and Christian history, and Black Jews have been recently recognized by Israel as being Jewish.

African-Americans celebrate this holiday instead of Christmas to recognize their African roots or they feel Christmas is a white man’s holiday. Although, this is not what Dr. Karanga intended. Kwanzaa is to be celebrated along with your religious celebrations.

Kwanzaa appears to be a melting pot of African traditions and perhaps this is the intent for a celebration for African-Americans who live in a melting pot society.

Kwanzaa Is Not An African Holiday!