Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa
Originally uploaded by davidzentz.

Josiah Austin, 5, left, and Imhotep Tyler, 10, play the drums at the start of the African American Arts Council of Greater Tampa Bay's celebration of the first day of Kwanzaa, known as Umoja, or Unity, at the Boys and Girls Club in St. Petersburg on Monday night. Celebrated the 26th of December through the 1st of January, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture. Although modern Kwanzaa was invented by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, "first fruits" celebrations, which, in Swahili are called "matunda ya kwanza" are said to date back to ancient Egypt. Kwanzaa celebrations will continue each night this week at different locations throughout St. Petersburg.