Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated by some African-Americans between December 26 and January 1. It is not a federal U.S. holiday. Kwanzaa is a cultural festival, bringing together various harvest traditions celebrated in Africa. The term “kwanza” is from the Swahili language common to East Africa. The Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza means “first fruits”. Kwanzaa was created as a celebration of “Black Pride” in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a university professor specializing in African-American studies. For each day during the seven-day Kwanzaa festival, one of seven principles are celebrated. The principles are: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.