Want to celebrate Kwanzaa? Check out these events throughout North Jersey

On Tuesday, the annual one-week celebration of African American culture known as Kwanzaa kicks off. Over the course of seven days until New Year's Day, there will be Kwanzaa events across North Jersey open to the public to mark this important cultural occasion.

But what is Kwanzaa?

For the uninitiated, here's a primer.

What does Kwanzaa celebrate?

Kwanzaa, which comes from the Swahili phrase for "first fruits," was created by controversial scholar and activist Maulana Karenga in 1966 and is derived from African harvest festivals.

Karenga originally intended the holiday to be a less commercial alternative to Christmas, but he has since relaxed that stance and encouraged people to celebrate both.

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What are the seven principles of Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is celebrated over seven days, with each day marked by the lighting of a candle, held in what is known as a kinara. Each candle represents a principle: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

North Jersey events

Passaic County

Paterson will be the site of several Kwanzaa celebrations. One will be a citywide affair hosted by Word Seed Inc., with each Kwanzaa principle celebrated at a different location:

• Umoja (unity), Dec. 26, 6 to 8 p.m., Holy Tabernacle Apostolic Church, 80-82 Holsman St.

• Kujichagulia (self-determination), Dec. 27, 6 to 8 p.m., The Masonic Temple, 224 Broadway.

• Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Dec. 28, 6 to 8 p.m., The Paterson Museum, 2 Market St.

• Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Dec. 29, 6 to 8 p.m., Public School 28, 200 Presidential Blvd.

• Nia (purpose), Dec. 30, 2 to 4 p.m., Paterson Public Library Assembly Room, 250 Broadway.

• Kuumba (creativity), Dec. 31, 2 to 4 p.m., Rosa L. Parks High School, 413 12th Ave.

• Imani (faith), Jan. 1, 2 to 4 p.m., The Historic Calvary Baptist Church, 575 East 18th St.

The NuFamily Foundation, Inc., in partnership with Jimmy Richardson, L’De Dance, Buds & Umoja, and Shombay, will host Kwanzaa Celebration 2023 on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at The Heritage at Alexander Hamilton, at 685 E. 34th St. in Paterson. The guest speaker will be Newark activist Larry Hamm. There will be music, food and discussion.

Bergen County

Bergen County will hold its Kinara Lighting Ceremony on Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Bergen County Winter Wonderland in Van Saun Park, 216 Forest Ave. in Paramus.

Essex County

The organization SOMA Justice is bringing back its annual Kwanzaa celebration in person on Dec. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Woodland Parlor, at 60 Woodland Road in Maplewood. Registration is required.

Hudson County

The Community Awareness Series Department of the Jersey City Free Public Library will hold its annual Kwanzaa celebration on Dec. 30 at 3 p.m. at the Miller Branch Library, 489 Bergen Ave. The events will include a kinara lighting ceremony and traditional African drumming. Also, there will be a presentation by writer Karen Yelverton, a guest lecture by scholar Ben Jones, and a community arts award presented to Mary Aikens. For more information, email swilliams@jclibrary.org.

Ricardo Kaulessar is a culture reporter for the USA TODAY Network's Atlantic Region How We Live team. For unlimited access to the most important news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: kaulessar@northjersey.com

Twitter: @ricardokaul

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Try these Kwanzaa events throughout North Jersey