Crowd gathers at SF City Hall to celebrate Kwanzaa

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Saturday, December 27, 2014
man performing a ceremony
A celebration at San Francisco City Hall was held Friday to kick off the start of Kwanzaa.
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SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KGO) -- Although Christmas Day has passed, Kwanzaa is just getting started.

Friday afternoon, the celebration began with a special performance at San Francisco City Hall.

Kwanzaa was created in 1965 by a University of California, Los Angeles professor to honor African-American culture.

It begins on Dec. 26 and continues for seven days. Observers emphasize a different principal each day.

"Starting with Umoja which is unity, and then we will end it with Imani, faith. And each night we will light a candle, have a feast, entertainment and bring family and community together," said Adrian Williams of the Village Project.

Celebrations will take place each day at churches and community centers throughout San Francisco.

Kwanzaa ends on Jan. 1.