KWANZA Meaning and
Definition
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Kwanza is a word of Swahili origin that has multiple meanings and is mainly used in East African cultures. It is a term that signifies "first" or "first fruits" in Swahili. This word has gained significance in various contexts and is predominantly associated with the Kwanzaa holiday, which is celebrated by African-Americans and African diaspora communities.
Kwanzaa is a week-long festival observed from December 26th to January 1st, and it honors and celebrates African cultural heritage, unity, and principles. The term "kwanza" signifies the first fruits of the harvest and symbolizes the celebration of African values and customs. During this holiday, participants engage in activities and rituals that promote the seven core principles of Kwanzaa known as Nguzo Saba, which include unity (Umoja), self-determination (Kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (Ujima), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), purpose (Nia), creativity (Kuumba), and faith (Imani).
Apart from its association with Kwanzaa, the word "kwanza" can also refer to the currency of Angola, a country located in southwestern Africa. Introduced in 1977 after the country gained independence from Portugal, the Angolan kwanza replaced the Portuguese escudo as the official monetary unit. The kwanza is further divided into subunits called lwei. It serves as a legal tender for financial transactions in Angola and is denoted by the code AOA.
Common Misspellings for KWANZA
- jwanza
- lwanza
- owanza
- iwanza
- kqanza
- kaanza
- ksanza
- keanza
- k3anza
- k2anza
- kwznza
- kwsnza
- kwwnza
- kwqnza
- kwabza
- kwamza
- kwajza
- kwahza
- kwanxa
Etymology of KWANZA
The word "kwanza" is derived from the Swahili language, which is widely spoken in East Africa. The term "kwanza" means "first" in Swahili. The word was chosen as the name for the currency of Angola, which was introduced in 1977 after the country gained independence from Portugal. The name was selected to signify a new beginning and the first stages of Angola's economic development. Additionally, the word "kwanza" is used in Swahili culture to represent the first fruits of the harvest, symbolizing prosperity and optimism.
Similar spelling words for KWANZA
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