They’re everywhere — symbols of the upcoming holidays adorn hearths and hallways. Everything from candles to ornaments is bathed in the hues of red, green and black. No, these decorations aren’t in celebration of Christmas; they are the colors of the African flag which have come to represent the values of Kwanzaa.According to Craig C. Brookins, the director of Africana Studies, the holiday is a time for African-Americans nationwide to celebrate their culture. The colors each signify an important aspect of African-American culture in accordance with the holiday: black for the people, red for the struggle, and green for land and wealth. “Kwanzaa” is a Swahili word that means “just fruits,” referring to the holiday’s review of the past year’s harvest. Brookins explains that while Kwanzaa is nonreligious and unrelated to Christmas, it falls close to the same time in conjunction with the end-of-year harvest.However, Kwanzaa does share similar characteristics with the celebration of New Years’, Brookins adds. The first six days are focused on reviewing community and family values from the preceding year, which then reaffirm the values to be held in esteem for the new year. While celebrators of New Years’ make personal goals and resolutions for the upcoming year, those celebrating Kwanzaa define collective goals and values for which to strive. The holiday was established in 1966 by a man named Maulama Karenga as a celebration of African-American culture, according to Brookins. He added that Karenga created Kwanzaa to “focus on community values that were positive … that [African-Americans] could unify around.”The celebration of Kwanzaa consists of numerous aspects, but according to Brookins, the primary ones are related to seven principles. These main values are connected with strengthening the family and community. During Kwanzaa, families focus on one of the values each day, lighting a candle in the kinara. The kinara holds seven candles for each of the principles: one is black and there are three candles each of red and green. Kwanzaa, Brookins said, is celebrated “widely, but not deeply.” In other words, most cities around the country — especially those which are predominately African-American — carry on some type of Kwanzaa celebration, but the number of participants may be limited. In addition, many African-American churches hold celebrations for the holiday. Brookins emphasizes the Kwanzaa’s significance as “one of the few, if not the only, celebrations that is solely based in an African-American culture.” Furthermore, Brookins said the holiday takes on a special meaning for himself and his family, who have celebrated Kwanzaa for close to 25 years. The professor views the celebration as an opportunity to channel everything toward what is important. Brookins said that his family takes time out of each day during Kwanzaa to “light the candles, talk, and think about the symbolism” of the holiday. They reflect on the past year and their hopes for the future, as well as take part in community celebrations.While many students will be preoccupied by thoughts of buying gifts and going home this holiday season, those celebrating Kwanzaa will take time out of their busy schedules to simply reflect. Brookins said he hopes Kwanzaa will encourage African-Americans everywhere to focus on family and community, rather than the individual self.