By Vivian Shipe
KNOXVILLE, TN — Kwanzaa, the seven day celebration of African American culture and values begins Monday December 26th at the Phyllis Wheatley YWCA and runs through January 1st.
As it has been for over three decades, activities are planned all over the city with the community encouraged to attend the many events planned for the celebration.
Kwanzaa means first in Swahili and celebrates 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).