Kwanzaa celebrations across the country

The holiday honors African American culture and is observed from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 every year.

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Dec. 29, 2011

Aini-Alem Dennis, 10, from left, Mikalah Davis, 14, and Leilani Gill, 11, perform with the Farafina Kan Youth Ensemble during a Kwanzaa celebration in the Panorama Room of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Washington, D.C. The event featured information on the background of Kwanzaa, along with drumming and dancing.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Dec. 29, 2011

Fatou Ingram, 11, bottom left, plays the hand game "slide" with Yaa Ade Cunningham, 12, bottom right. They are joined by Mikalah Davis, 14, center left, and Akua Akoto, top right, while Ama Akoto, top center, looks on, before the start of a Kwanzaa celebration in the Panorama Room of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Dec. 29, 2011

Joanna Banks, bottom, covers her face, and Clara Turner, top, records a video on her camera as a libation is given during a Kwanzaa celebration in the Panorama Room of the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Washington, D.C.

Matt McClain / For The Washington Post

Dec. 26, 2011

Jason Baptiste, right, photographs friends, from left, Karen Chingofor, Brian Chingofor and Samantha Neree by a photo of an African woman during Kwanzaa festivities at the Muzeo in Anaheim, Calif. Monday marked the first day of Kwanzaa and a celebration hosted by the Orange County National Council of Negro Women on the grounds. Music, vendors, food and a Kwanzaa ceremony drew people from throughout Orange County and neighboring counties.

Ana Venegas / AP

Dec. 26, 2011

Jaia Cooper, 10, watches as dancers take the stage at the Attucks Theatre's sixth annual Kwanzaa concert, featuring Atumpan: The Talking Drums, in Norfolk, Va.

Amanda Lucier / AP

Dec. 26, 2011

Kacheyta McClellan of Evansville, Ind., left, beings to speak about Kujichagulia, or self-determination, the second principle of Kwanzaa, as Aretha Graves, right, lights the second candle during the Kwanzaa celebration at the Evansville African American Museum in Evansville, Ind. Although normally celebrated over a seven-day period, the African American Museum decided several years ago to condense the celebration to one night featuring fellowship, reflections on the seven principles of Kwanzaa and a feast.

Kevin Swank / AP

Dec. 26, 2011

Jasmine Farrow, 13, performs at the Attucks Theatre's sixth annual Kwanzaa concert in Norfolk, Va.

Amanda Lucier / AP

Dec. 26, 2011

LaQuita Staten listens as her husband, Corey Staten, welcomes the audience to the Attucks Theatre's sixth annual Kwanzaa concert in Norfolk, Va.

Amanda Lucier / AP

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