Food - Drink
The Symbolism Of Black-Eyed Peas And Collard Greens For Kwanzaa
By SYLVIA TOMCZAK
Observed from December 26 through January 1, Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions of African-Americans every year to honor their history and heritage across the African diaspora. Like many holidays, food is a huge part of Kwanzaa festivities, and black-eyed peas and collard greens are a particularly symbolic dish.
The black, red, and green colors of the Kwanzaa kinara and Pan-African flag are representative of pride, struggle, and hope, so it’s only natural that the dishes prepared during festivities also boast these colors. Stewed collard greens are obviously green and a symbol of good fortune, while black-eyed peas symbolize good luck.
Adding cornbread to the greens and peas is classic, delicious, and carries its own symbolism. The bright and golden hue of the sweet bread is representative of gold when paired with the peas, and stewing tomatoes with the peas is also representative of wealth and good health, and adds the essential red color to the spread.