20. Similarities between Kwanzaa and Hanukkah Celebrations at Christmas
Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, celebrated by African-Americans and Jewish people respectively, are observed during the Christmas season. The celebrations are separate from activities related to Christmas having. The observances of Kwanzaa and Hanukkah are also 1 reason that folks also give wishes of Happy Holidays rather than Merry Christmas throughout the season.
Although both activities are especially unique and had originated for distinctive reasons, some similarities can be found between the two practices. Both celebrations have commitment as a central and important theme. They also both contain symbolic forms of light and are both commemorated over practically the same number of days - seven (7) days from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 for Kwanzaa, and eight (8) days and night for Hanukkah - often starting about 1 week before Christmas Day.
Starting with its origination, Hanukkah celebrations dates to an event in 165 B.C. when the Jews were victorious over the Syrians. Hanukkah started as a method to restore and rededicate the Temple in Jerusalem that had been desecrated, such as its golden menorah, by the Syrians. The festival also served the purpose of once extra observing and re-instituting rituals that the Syrians had forbidden during their rule.
Kwanzaa was started 40 years ago by a university professor as a way for African-Americans and others within African diaspora to engage in celebrations that included elements of African culture. While Kwanzaa isn't as well-liked as Christmas, it keeps growing and its objective has been achieved to some extent as it is now practiced in quite a few nations including those within the Caribbean, which have a significant population of individuals of African ancestry. The wide availability of Kwanzaa greeting cards and even postage stamps at Christmas time, also attests to the extent to which the celebration has entered the mainstream.
The primary symbol of Hanukkah, the menorah, which consists of eight (8) individual lights, is incredibly significantly a part of the mainstream. Menorahs are available right now in a variety of shapes and sizes. A single standard requirement that must be observed in making a menorah is that there really should be enough separation between the flame of each of the eight (8) lights so that they don't give the total effect of a single big flame when all are lit.
A flame is lit each night over the days in remembrance of how a modest quantity of oil from the desecrated Temple kept a menorah burning for eight (8) days, when the quantity should really have only lasted for a single day. It was that miraculous occurrence that gave rise to the Hanukkah celebration to light a menorah over eight (8) days.
Kwanzaa symbols consist of a candleholder and seven (7) candles that represent the roots of African ancestors and seven (7) core principles of Kwanzaa respectively. Other symbols are, The Crops for African harvest, Mat for African tradition, Corn for the future represented by children, the Unity Cup as Gifts. The Flag and Poster of Seven (7) Principles are two (2) supplemental symbols.
These items may be found at specialty African and African-
American shops in some malls and in town with a heavy concentration of African and African-American population. Among the most significant features of Kwanzaa are the seven (7) core principles and values they embody: self-determination, unity, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. These seven (7) principles are meant to be a foundation and guide upon which the African diaspora can construct a strong, productive and fulfilling life while maintaining a connection to their roots.
Although not religious, the principles of Kwanzaa are meant to instill a strong sense of spirituality in individuals. Kwanzaa seeks to instill spirituality upon which individuals can construct self-confidence and secure self-identity via a link to their roots.
This sense of spirituality and connection to one's history, roots or ancestry is also an element of similarity between Kwanzaa and Hanukkah.
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