NEW YORK - This year marks 50 years since Kwanzaa began and a celebration was held Tuesday at the African Burial Ground National Monument in Lower Manhattan.
Revelers kicked off the second day of the week-long holiday with drumming, cumbe dance and an African naming ceremony.
Each day is dedicated to a different principle.
Tuesday's festivities highlight the value of self-determination.
One participant told NY1 why it's important to expose her children to African traditions.
"For them, they don't necessarily know where they come from unless we tell them where they come from, or show them where they come from and Kwanzaa being that it's very symbolic," said one participant. "It's excellent especially for children, because reading off of a paper, you know, this is your history, this is the story, this is where you came from is very boring. To see it and to actually participate in it."
The holiday continues through New Years Day with a celebration of the principle Imani, meaning faith.