SAN ANTONIO — After Christmas, Kwanzaa begins. Elders say celebrating is important to preserve cultural values.

“That’s what community is all about,” Antoinette Lackey said. “If he got it, I got it. If I got it, you got it”

Lackey celebrated Kwanzaa at the San Antonio African American Community Archive & Museum. 

“Kwanzaa is modeled after the first harvest celebrations in Africa,” Lackey said, reading the history of the holiday.

She has celebrated Kwanzaa since childhood. And now she’s sharing the principles with younger generations.

“The black candle is what we use to light because it shows unity,” Lackey said.

Kwanzaa begins the day after Christmas and lasts until New Year’s Day. Candles represent African cultural values and promote community. 

“These same seven principles that our ancestors have always used to get use to this point of right now,” elder Baba Mondrea said. “We’re using Nguzu Saba even through COVID.”

Families discuss the seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

“When I think of self-determination I literally see and think of all these strong ancestors who are behind me,” Indigo Ikemba said.

Kwanzaa was created in the 1960s. It gives Black people a holiday that celebrates their culture and history using songs, dance and storytelling.

“I love hearing those stories,” Lackey said. “Because they are not only the past. They are my now and my future.”

Studies show about 12 million Americans participate in Kwanzaa. 

“It’s one of those good, hidden secrets that we want to give out to the world,” Baba Mondrea said.

Passing down the tradition from generation to generation.

“It’s important to take what they taught us and teach it to others,” Lackey said. “Habari Gani.”