The Dig on Kwanzaa

We explore the history, meaning and tenants of the Kwanzaa holiday, as well as the backlash, most recently and notably by Marjorie Taylor Greene who called Kwanzaa a "fake religion."  Kwanzaa is celebrated Dec 26 - Jan 1. According to Dr. Maulana Karenga, who was a member of the Black Power movement, the name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahilii phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning "first fruits". First Fruits festivals exist in Southern Africa, celebrated in December/January with the southern solstice, and Karenga was partly inspired by an account he read of the Zulu festival Umkhosi Wokweshwama. It was decided to spell the holiday's name with an additional "a" so that it would have a symbolic seven letters.  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★