Compared to some other holidays celebrated this time of year, Kwanzaa is a relatively new tradition. It will be celebrated for the 53rd time in 2019.
Maulana Karenga, a professor and Pan-African activist, started the holiday in 1966.
According to TIME, he was inspired to start the holiday during a particularly tumultuous time in the United States for African Americans.
"He saw that black people here had no holidays of their own and felt that holidays give a people a sense of identity and direction,” according to the news outlet.
The exact number of people who celebrate the non-religious holiday is unclear, but for those looking to partake in festivities in metro Atlanta, an East Point arts center has a new option this year.
For the first time, ArtsXchange will hold three days of events during the holiday’s week-long celebration, which begins annually on Dec. 26.
Kenneth Zakee, a mixed media artist at the center, told 11Alive that the celebration will include an African marketplace.
"It's going to be like an indoor block party for the most part," he told the TV station.
ArtsXchange will hold the events on from 5-9 p.m. on the first day of Kwanzaa on Dec. 26, from 5-9 p.m. on the third day on Dec. 28 and 5-9 p.m. on the fifth day on Dec. 30.
“Kwanzaa is a celebration of our culture. It’s not be confused as a Black Christmas,” Zakee told 11Alive. “Nor is it to be confused with being religious. Because it’s neither of them.”
Zakee said he views Kwanzaa as like seven-day version of Black History Month.
ArtsXchange, at 2148 Newnan St., East Point, will also hold a pre-Kwanzaa celebration from noon-8 p.m. on Dec. 22. It will include African dance, hand crafted goods, food and family friendly programming.
The events are free to attend and open to everyone.
The center has also partnered with the Garvey School to host a Kwanzaa Camp for kids ages 5-12 on four days during Kwanzaa. More information can be found on ArtXchange's website here.
