About the Celebration

KuchuQwanzaa is a 7-day celebration and expression of Black LGBTQIA+ cultural principles, values, and ideals. This specific celebration was the creation of Marcus R. White and Louis F. Graham.

KuchuQwanzaa is a time to commemorate our rich history and societal contributions, as well as to observe our heritage and fellowship together in love and support within our communities. KuchuQwanzaa is in large part based on the traditional Kwanzaa holiday, but seeks to infuse queer ideology, principles, and values to establish a space for Black LGBTQIA+ folks to celebrate our unique culture, history, and contributions. In the spirit of inclusivity, we invite anyone who shares the core principles of KuchuQwanzaa to celebrate it.

Like traditional Kwanzaa, KuchuQwanzaa is observed from December 26th to January 1st each year, and features activities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations, and culminating in a feast and gift giving.

Namesake

Kuchu is an East African word for LGBTQIA-identifying, coined by East African gays and lesbians, rejecting names given to them and opting instead to name themselves.  Since Kwanzaa is an East African word (Swahili), it was deemed appropriate to chose an East African phrase representing queer minorities.  Also, K in Kwanzaa was changed to Q to represent queer-infusing of an American idea into African heritage, in part characterizing the Black gay intersection.

The Nine Principles

Traditional Kwanzaa celebrates Nguzo Saba (Swahili for seven principles), however, the founders of KuchuQwanzaa felt as though there were issues specifically unique to Black LGBT communities that were not addressed in the original Kwanzaa. More so, there are issues that are more relevant to a 21st century African-American family  (regardless of their sexual behavior or gender identity) that we have decided to rename and make more applicable to our lives.

The Nguzo Tisa (Swahili for nine principles) are a fusion of communitarian African and LGBT philosophy consisting of the best of Black LGBT thought and practice in constant exchange with the world.