Kwanzaa in Portland Thursday, December 28, 2006

(right) Patricia Welch shares a photo book made by her uncle with Portlanders gathered at North Portland Neighborhood Library for Kwanzaa celebrations on Dec. 27, 2006. Family is an important aspect of the theme of Umoja, or unity, celebrated on the first day of Kwanzaa.

About two dozen Portlanders gathered at the North Portland Neighborhood Library on Dec. 27 to learn about and celebrate Kwanzaa. Wednesday was the second day of the seven-day festival.

Kwanzaa is a unique African-American holiday, created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. Each day of the celebration honors one of the Nguza Saba, or Seven Principles: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).

Kwanzaa runs through Jan. 1.

(left) Karifa D. Koroma shares a story from his days as a college student with Portlanders gathered to celebrate the second day of Kwanzaa.

(below) Anna Shelton-O'Rourke, 3, helps Joyce Harris lead celebrations on the second day of Kwanzaa at North Portland Neighborhood Library on Dec. 27, 2006. About two dozen gathered at the library to learn about the 7-day African-American holiday.