Kwanzaa 2021: Quotes, Prayers, Blessings, Greetings To Celebrate African-American Holiday

The Kwanzaa holiday was created in 1966 by professor Maulana Karenga as an annual celebration of African-American culture.

Every year, the holiday is celebrated from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 and offers the African American community a unique time of reflection, remembrance, recommitment, and reaffirmation.

The week-long holiday celebration revolves around the seven principles of African Heritage, Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-determination), Ujima (Collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).

Throughout the celebration of Kwanzaa, there are several prayers and inspirational quotes that can be shared with others. Consider sharing these quotes from AZQuotes and Cosmopolitan during the holiday:

• “The holiday reflects the best of African thought and practice in its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person in community and culture, the well-being of family and community, the integrity of the environment and our kinship with it, and the rich resource and meaning of a people’s culture.” — Dr. Maulana Karenga
• “The seven principles of Kwanzaa -- unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith -- teach us that when we come together to strengthen our families and communities and honor the lesson of the past, we can face the future with joy and optimism.” — President Bill Clinton
• “For Africa to me... is more than a glamorous fact. It is a historical truth. No man can know where he is going unless he knows exactly where he has been and exactly how he arrived at his present place.” — Maya Angelou
• “Kwanzaa is a holiday that should be celebrated by everyone, not just the black community.” — Jacqui Lewis
• “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole Earth.” — Bahá’u’lláh
• “We have religious holidays and we have secular holidays. I see Kwanzaa as an opportunity for African Americans to reaffirm ourselves if we choose to, a chance to rebuild and renew our focus. I see Kwanzaa as a holiday of the spirit.” — Jessica Harris
• “Kwanzaa is a special time to remember the ancestors, the bridge builders, and the leaders.” — Dorothy Winbush Riley

Share these seasonal blessings during the celebration of Kwanzaa:

• “Take pride in each other and give thanks for this beautiful Kwanzaa.”
• “From Umoja to Imani, may all the blessings of Kwanzaa be yours.”
• “Hope your Kwanzaa is filled with joy and prosperity.”

Here is a prayer that can be recited while celebrating Kwanzaa:

Gracious God,

Giver of life,

Thanks be to you for your many blessings,

And for the beauty of the bountiful Earth.

Kwanzaa!

Forgive us for taking our many blessings for granted.

Pardon us for abusing and exploiting your creation.

We are not responsible stewards; our consumerism & materialism hinder us Merciful God, your creation groans for liberation.

Let us be "the first fruits" of your Spirit for a hurting world.

Help us to transform our bombs into bread, our bullets into books.

And count our blessings and name them one by one.

Kwanzaa!