AUSTIN, Texas -- The week after Christmas kicks off the Kwanzaa holiday. It's a time when people celebrate a different principle for seven days.

With the holiday past the halfway point, participants are celebrating the principle of 'shared prosperity.' It is a pledge to develop businesses or support those already in the community.

According to Kwanzaa teachings, the idea is that social wealth belongs to the masses and not to a few people. Those who celebrate the holiday say this principle is rooted in the belief that there are more important things in life than amassing riches.

"Everybody can benefit from Kwanzaa because the principles are so positive and anybody can adapt those principles in their lives,” said Elizabeth Kahura African Safari Program.

Only a few days are left in the holiday. The final day of Kwanzaa is New Year's Day. It is marked by a pledge of self-improvement for the new year.