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Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration of African cultural roots, family, and community from December 26-January 1.
), but in reality, quite the opposite is true.
Riche Holmes Grant with her daughter Riley.Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
Christmas is a religious holiday, whileKwanzaa is a secular, cultural holidaycreated in 1966.
Neither cancels out the other.
I celebrate both holidays because both represent core parts of who I am.
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
Kwanzaa is a weeklong celebration of African cultural roots, family, and community from December 26-January 1.
The wordKwanzaameans first fruits of the harvestin Swahili.
Thekikombe cha umoja(unity cup) symbolizes unity among family, friends, and ancestors.
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
Themazao(crops) represent the fruits of our collective labor.
Zawadi(gifts) is the seventh symbol, which is always culturally meaningful and often homemade.
We greet each other by asking,Habari gani?
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
(Whats the news?)
and responding with the principle of the day.
During this time, everyone is given the opportunity to reflect on what the principle means to them.
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
Riche Holmes Grant is a designer and the creator behindThe Riche Lifeweb series.
She splits her time between the Washington, D.C. area and Los Angeles with her husband and daughter.
Credit: Courtesy of Riche Holmes Grant
