What is kwanzaw?

Answer 1

"Kwanzaa" is a festival created by African-Americans in Oakland, CA. It is often seen as an attempt to reduce the European influence of the Christmas holiday in the African-American community. I believe it was begun in the 1960s or 70s. It has no direct correlation to any actual African festivals, though it borrows ideas from many sources.

Supposedly, it was a harvest ceremony, but no one is harvesting this late in the year. Like Hanukah, it uses a series of lit candles to commemorate certain festival nights. Unlike Hanukah, it has no religious connotations, but is supportive of community and family.