MAZAO (Mah-zah-oh)

CROPS (FRUITS AND VEGETABLES)

Bowl of fruits and vegetables represents the rewards of collective labor and also the historical roots of the holiday as a time of joy and togetherness.

This symbol has importance because it symbolizes  the rewards of collective productive labor.

Kwanzaa means "first" or "first fruits" and is patterned after the ancient traditional celebrations of the African agricultural societies at harvest. It was the time when the fruits of the collective labor abound and of great joy and togetherness. It was the time for Thanksgiving and remembrance. Thus the Mazao represent the historical roots of the holiday.