“You may have heard of Kwanzaa, but do you know what it is or what it means to the people that celebrate it?

“Kwanzaa is an annual holiday that affirms African family, tradition, and social values. The holiday is celebrated primarily in the United States from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 but it is also celebrated around the world and is especially popular in the Caribbean.

“Kwanzaa, which comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” or “first fruits,” was created in 1966 by Professor Maulana Karenga of Africana studies at California State University in Long Beach.

“Karenga chose Swahili as the holiday’s language because it’s one that isn’t defined by a particular African region or tribe, CNN reported.”

Read more at KPRC