"The holiest of holidays are those
Kept by ourselves in silence and apart;
The secret anniversaries of the heart."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Kwanza Definition: "The word “Kwanzaa” is derived from matunda ya kwanza, Swahili for “first fruits.” Kwanza literally means “beginnings’” in Swahili. Kwanzaa is an African American holiday observed by African communities throughout the world to celebrate family, community, and culture. It is observed each year from December 26 through January 1." Source: Encarta

CNN - The History of Kwanzaa - December 1996 The word Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," which means "first fruits." Those roots are the foundation on which the modern holiday was built.

Everything About Kwanzaa Karenga included an additional "a" to the end of the spelling to reflect the difference between the African American celebration (kwanzaa) and the Motherland spelling (kwanza)

Kwanza - An African American Celebration Here are some stories I've chosen or adapted for use in discussing the seven principles with children.

The Official Kwanzaa Web Site - Kwanzaa African American Celebration ... All about the holiday, its origins, its symbols, and its significance. From Kwanzaa creator Dr. Maulana Karenga.