Kayana Szymczak for the Boston Globe

Sunday marked the fifth day of Kwanzaa, the week-long African-American holiday that was established by a California professor in 1966.

Kayana Szymczak for the Boston Globe

Visitors to Muhammad’s Mosque No. 11 described the holiday as a cultural, not religious observance, rooted in education on traditional values.

Kayana Szymczak for the Boston Globe

Kwanzaa starts Dec. 26 and continues through Jan. 1. This year’s theme is “Embracing Our Afrika At Home And Abroad.”

John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

Boston’s Kwanzaa committee has evolved into a week of festivities hosted by 21 community organizations in different locations across the city.