The Kwanzaa cultural holiday begins today, December 26, and runs until January 1. According to the official Kwanzaa web site, "Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture."

At the official Kwanzaa web site, you can learn about the seven principles of Kwanzaa, its symbols, celebrations, and meditations. You can also read about the founder of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga.

For books about Kwanzaa, try:

• The complete Kwanzaa : celebrating our cultural harvest, by Dorothy Riley. (Adult Nonfiction 394.261 R)
• A Kwanzaa keepsake : celebrating the holiday with new traditions and feasts, by Jessica B. Harris. (Adult Nonfiction 394.261 H)
• Kwanzaa : everything you always wanted to know but didn't know where to ask, by Cedric McClester. (Adult Nonfiction 394.268 M)

The library's Music, Art, & Media Department also has some music CDs to get you into the spirit of the Kwanzaa celebration:

• Kwanzaa music [sound recording] (CD K 98 1)
• Kwanzaa party [sound recording], compiled, sequenced and annotated by Eric V. Copage and Daisann McLane. (CD K 981 1)