Kwanzaa Movie TV Specials to Stream for the Holidays
Kwanzaa has officially begun!
The annual seven-day holiday brings joy to households through January 1 and highlights African-American culture and traditions in the African diaspora. Kwanzaa is not associated with any single religion, so people can celebrate Christmas or other holidays and practice Kwanzaa. This “allows people to unite rather than divide based on their religious beliefs,” Kelly E. Navies, oral history museum specialist at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, told USA TODAY.
Each of the seven nights of Kwanzaa celebrates a different value: umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (collaborative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity), and imani (trust). ). These values are marked by lighting candles on a holder called a kinara, which holds three red candles, three green candles, and one black candle in the center.
Hallmark, the broadcaster known for its extensive Christmas film schedule, promised to include more representation, and part of that change brought a joyful film that includes both Kwanzaa and Christmas.
What you should know:What is Kwanzaa and when is the holiday celebrated?
What to see this bank holiday weekend:From over-the-top Babylon to the sequel Puss in Boots.
Holly Robinson Peete’s “Holiday Heritage” is among the latest film or television projects about Kwanzaa.
Read on for the Kwanzaa specials currently available to stream:
‘Holiday Legacy’ (2022)
Ella (Lyndie Greenwood) reunites with her ex-boyfriend Griffin (Brooks Darnell), who helps her fix her broken family over the holidays. The couple huddles their family together for Christmas and Kwanzaa celebrations.
Where to see: Hallmark and Philo (to re-air Dec. 29 at 10 p.m. ET), streaming on fuboTV
“The Black Candle: A Kwanzaa Celebration” (2008)
Poet Maya Angelou narrates MK Asante’s documentary about the history and traditions of Kwanzaa from its African roots to its association with the Black Power movement in the 1960s.
Where to see: Apple TV+, Peacock, Amazon Prime Video and Tubi
“Everybody Hates Chris: Everybody Hates Kwanzaa” (Season 3, Episode 10)
Julius (Terry Crews) decides to boycott Christmas in favor of Kwanzaa. His motive is not so much culture as reducing vacation costs.
Where to see: Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock TV and Tubi
Related:How Great American Family and Candace Cameron Bure are fishing for Hallmark’s Christmas movie crown
“The Proud Family: Seven Days from Kwanzaa” (Season 1, Episode 11)
Trudy Proud (Paula Jai Parker) and Penny Proud (Kyla Pratt) meet a homeless family – Joseph (Samuel L. Jackson), Margaret (Vivica A. Fox) and their daughter Stephanie (Raven-Symoné) – while they’re Christmas shopping and do the shopping she an her over for Christmas dinner. Days later they return and teach the Prouds about the Seven Days of Kwanzaa.
Where to see: Disney+
“Rugrats: A Rugrats Kwanzaa” (Season 8, Episode 16)
Susie Carmichael (Cree Summer) and her family are visited by her great aunt T (Irma P. Hall). T takes over, throws a huge Kwanzaa festival, and fills Susie in on her family history.
Where to see: Outstanding+
Featuring: Marina Pitofsky
