Lowcountry celebrates end of Kwanzaa: A night of song, dance, prayer and reflection [Video]

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The Lowcountry wrapped up seven days of celebrating Kwanzaa on Wednesday, joining millions worldwide in reflecting on the continuous significance of African heritage.

Kwanzaa was first created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in the 1960s, shortly after the Civil Rights Movement. The event from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 was meant to bring solidarity to communities in a time of challenge.

Communities will celebrate Kwanzaa for seven days, each one representing a different principle to foster in daily life. Here are the seven principles:

• Umoja – Unity
• Ujima – Collective work and responsibility
• Nia – Purpose
• Kujichagulia – Self determination
• Ujamaa – Cooperative economics
• Kuumba – Creativity
• Imani – Faith

“Imani” represents the last day of Kwanzaa, which falls on the first of January each year. If a person asks “Habari Gani?” the Swahili term for “What’s new?” another person will often respond with the corresponding principle of the day.

Brother Nizar did not grow up celebrating Kwanzaa …