/ ˈkwænzɑː; NAmE / noun
[ U ] a cultural festival that is celebrated in the US by some African Americans from December 26 to January 1
ORIGIN: From a phrase in Swahili that means 'first fruits'.
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
from Kiswahili matunda ya kwanza , literally first fruits (of the harvest), from kwanza first.