Kwanzaa officially began Friday, launching a weeklong celebration centered on African heritage, cultural traditions, and shared values within the community.
Observed annually from the day after Christmas through New Year’s Day, Kwanzaa highlights seven principles, known as the Nguzo Saba, that emphasize unity, self-determination, collective responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Each day of the holiday focuses on one principle, beginning with Umoja, or unity.
Families and community members gathered Friday afternoon at the Hayti Heritage Center in Durham for the center’s annual Kwanzaa tradition, which featured drumming, dance and cultural reflection…