Kwanzaa turns 45
Seven principles offer guide for daily living
Dechontee James
Dr. Maulana Karenga, created Kwanzaa in 1966 as an African American holiday, rooted in African traditions. He hoped observation of Kwanzaa would create cultural pride for African Americans. The name Kwanzaa was derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", which means " first fruits of the harvest."
Today Kwanzaa is considered a celebration of family and community, as well as culture. This year it is observed for seven days beginning December 26. A week of activities often includes story telling, drumming, music and dance.
Each night a candle is lit and one of the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa is discussed.
Unity: Umoja (oo–MO–jah)To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Self-determination: Kujichagulia (koo–gee–cha–goo–LEE–yah)To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
Collective Work and Responsibility: Ujima (oo–GEE–mah)To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
Cooperative Economics: Ujamaa (oo–JAH–mah)To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Purpose: Nia (nee–YAH)To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Creativity: Kuumba (koo–OOM–bah)To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Faith: Imani (ee–MAH–nee)To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Information regarding seven principles courtesy history.com.
Photo of traditional Kwanzaa table courtesy Community Arts and Movement Project.
Dechontee James lives in the Virgin Islands and celebrates both Christmas and Kwanzaa with her family.
Print this Article
Click Here to Add a Comment