History and traditions of Kwanzaa

University of Minnesota professor Keith Mayes discusses the holiday tradition, Kwanzaa, a seven-day cultural holiday starting December 26 and ending January 1. Mayes, a professor of African American and African studies, explains that the African-American tradition has now been celebrated for more than 40 years and gives great details on the origin of the word Kwanzaa, which is derived from the phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits" in Swahili, a Pan-African language which is the most widely spoken African language.

This video is part of the Expert Perspectives series at the University of Minnesota.

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[LoRah612]

I took a class from him. He knows his shit.

[MsBurgerburgerburger]

A group of friends went to Ghana for a cultural exchange. When addressing a small crowd, one friend referred to himself as an 'African American'. He was immediately interrupted by a woman who refuted the term, saying that he was American/ he knew nothing about the problems of Africa/ he had no connection to the continent despite the color of his skin or his centuries-old lineage.

We who live in the USA are Americans. We aren't treated equally, but new titles won't make it more equal,... duh.

[xxDanielTM93xx]

It's a ripoff of Hanukkah and it was invented in the 50's and is based on racial and cultural superiority and most celebrators are downright black nationalist. It's the equivalent of a Neo Nazi going to NordicFest in the midwest.

[a566626]

@sexyseven7 I agree, this country is too obsessed with race anyway. I will watch that, thanks.

[sexyseven7]

@a566626 well know we have gotten somewhere and I can respect that. Maybe Americans should just call each other Americans, than all the weird stuff can be avoided. But you should watch A Black American by Smokey Robinson - Def Poetry Jam on here(youtube), this is one opinion, and some stuff is a little out of whack but majorly he got it right.

[a566626]

@sexyseven7 I did not intend to insult your race, but I think the term is lame. I made the comment a year ago so I do not remember why I said that. I get frustrated with the term because it is difficult to know what to say to avoid insulting people actually, as you mentioned, one person wants to be called that and someone else does not. I am not insulted by people referring to me by my skin, race or origin unless they are intentionally attempting to be rude or condescending.

[sexyseven7]

@a566626 I Am no where near a history genius, I just don't like ignorant comments toward my race. But anywho, Jesse Jackson was on board with the term and did TRY to encourage Blacks to do so. But what does that mean? He's one Black American. Are you and whoever you heard this from trying to make him the spokesperson for us now? If that's what you simply thought maybe you should have wrote that instead of insulting. even though i don't understand what that had to do with Kwanzaa anyway

[a566626]

@sexyseven7 What is it exactly that I missed on history? I'm curious, you did not provide any new information that I was unaware of yet unless you can answer who pushed the term "AA" to refer to black people. I'm happy calling myself white or Caucasian, thanks. Where do I say that whites did not rape blacks or that South Africa was not colonized? You seem to think you are educating me but I already knew that, my point is simply the term AA is silly, I'm glad you agree.

[a566626]

@sexyseven7 Ps- since you are a historical genius and wish to clarify history for everyone I have a question for you. I was always told Jesse Jackson urged Americans to use this term, "African American," is this incorrect information? I don't care what people want to be called, I simply think the term is referring to something other than race.

[sexyseven7]

@a566626 Your, you're or you are,you got the point. Maybe you should be an English teacher since you sure as hell don't know history.If you don't know who coined it or anything for that matter than look it up before you make uneducated responses that anyone can read.I also agree it is ridiculous, and would never refer to myself in that way, just like the majority of Blacks don't either.Maybe you should take that up with your race and hey maybe if you start calling yourself E-A it will catch on.

[sexyseven7]

@CSteven59 So how does saint Patrick's day or mother's day or father's day or the fourth of July, or thanksgiving have anything to do with spirituality for that matter?