An increasing number of Caribbean families in Britain are turning to the festival of Kwaanza to replace Christmas and gift-giving, researchers said Monday. The Economic and Social Research Council said research among second and third generation young people of Caribbean origin, found the Kwaanza period of Dec. 26 through Jan. 1 a time of important family ritual, with an intense period of contact and catching up with far-flung relations. Many said they would go to church Christmas morning in what they see as part of their Caribbean tradition, but also in some cases as a reaction against the materialism of popular Christmas observation. The young people who identified Kwaanza as a time for family celebration expressed cynicism about the increased materialism and consumer culture of Christmas and the influence of European values and beliefs on its celebration. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies, California State University, Long Beach. © Copyright 2004 by United Press International

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