Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday celebrated by African Americans to honor their culture and heritage. It is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one. During Kwanzaa, traditional meals consist of dishes that represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. These dishes may include traditional African foods such as jollof rice, fried plantains, collard greens, black-eyed peas, sweet potatoes, and cornbread. The feast is called Karamu, and it takes place on December 31st.