What is Kwanzaa?

When people say “Happy Holidays!” that usually translates as Christmas, and sometimes Hanukkah. But there is another holiday covered in that catch phrase — Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa, the seven-day, non-religious, African-American celebration of family and community, takes its name from the Swahili word for “first fruits of the harvest.” Traditions include altar displays of crops and artifacts, and the holiday runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

This celebration was created in 1965 as a synthesis of African harvest festivals by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chairman of the Department of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach.

The week-long Kwanzaa observance devotes one day to seven guiding principles: (1) unity; (2) self-determination;, (3) collective work and responsibility, (4) cooperative economics, (5) purpose, (6) creativity and (7) faith.

You may not find nearly as many public events devoted to Kwanzaa as other holidays, but the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito marks the holiday every year.

“We are proud to welcome families from all over the Bay Area for this non-denominational celebration of community,” said Karyn Flynn, the museum’s CEO and executive director.

“The values of Kwanzaa, including unity and creativity, are wonderful to be reminded of as we begin a new year,” she added.

The museum celebrates the holiday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 26, with free admission and performances, including two “African Roots of Jazz” concerts, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., featuring jazz drummer E. W. Wainwright and his ensemble.

“The free performance by E. W. Wainwright is a great way to get your kids up and dancing while they learn about the rich musical traditions of African Americans throughout history,” said museum spokeswoman Jennifer Caleshu.

Information: (415) 339-3900, baykidsmuseum.org.