At first, observers of Kwanzaa avoided the mixing of the holiday or its symbols, values, and practice with other holidays, as doing so would violate the principle of kujichagulia (self-determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday, which is partially intended as a reclamation of important African values.
The holiday has also spread to Canada, and is celebrated by Black Canadians in a similar fashion as in the United States [REF].