The New Rochelle community came together on Saturday to celebrate Kwanzaa.

Feelings of pride and unity overflowed at the 13th annual Kwanzaa celebration at the New Rochelle Public Library.

The music and dance set a joyful mood, while audience members joined in to honor the seven principles of the holiday. Those principles include unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.

"Culture is very important, because culture is what allows a people to act as a collective one," said Mark McLean, of the Gathering of Men of New Rochelle.

Activist Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 in Los Angeles. It is primarily an African American holiday. However, it has grown over the years to be celebrated in the Caribbean and other countries where large numbers of African descendants live.