KWANZA
CHRISTMAS
SAINT STEPHEN'S DAY
Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural festivity.
Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose
teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees,
attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.
Saint Stephen's Day, also called the Feast of Saint Stephen, is a Christian saint's day to commemorate Saint Stephen,
the first Christian martyr or protomartyr.
Saint Stephen's Day is a particularly important day in the Italian calendar. Traditionally Italians stay at home with
their families on Christmas day, but St. Stephen's day is a cause for celebration; it's a day where people wrap up and
go out with friends and family. Streets that the previous day lay silent and empty, are alive and bustling with wellwishers, as it's traditional for people to visit the nativity scenes inside local churches and make
a small donation.
Kwanzaa is a seven-day festival celebrated in appreciate of African and African-America history, heritage, and culture.
The term 'Kwanzaa' originates from the Swahili expression "matunda ya kwanza," which means 'first fruits of the
harvest.' This festival is observed from December 26th to January 1st.
During the week of Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, to honor the ancestors,
affirm the bonds between them. The table is decorated with the essential symbols of Kwanzaa, such as the Kinara
(Candle Holder), Mkeka (Mat), Muhindi (corn to represent the children), Mazao (fruit to represent the harvest),
and Zawadi (gifts). One might also see the colors of the Pan-African flag, red (the struggle), black (the people), and
green (the future), represented throughout the space and in the clothing worn by participants. These colors were first
proclaimed to be the colors for all people of the African diaspora by Marcus Garvey.
Each of these seven days' honors principles which are thought to have been fundamental in promoting strong,
productive communities and families in Africa. Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective
Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
DEC
25
For some, Christmas is an exclusive family affair,
while others invite friends. The celebrations for
me means family , I never celebrate a Christmas
without my family."
- LAURA BORRI, COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
MANAGER, JIMMY CHOO, LONDON
"
DEC
26
JAN
DEC 126
7