UMOJA (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community,
nation and race.
KUJICHAGULIA (Self-determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves
and speak for ourselves.
UJIMA (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our
brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and solve them together.
UJAMAA (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other
businesses and profit from them together.
NIA (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and
developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional
greatness.
KUUMBA (Creativity)
To do always as much as we can, in the way that we can, in
order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
IMANI (Faith)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents,
our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory 0f our struggle.
— Dr. Maulana Karenga
What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa, a holiday (or Holy
Day) based upon the African tradition of celebrating the harvesting of
the first fruits, was created and introduced for Black People in the
United States by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966.
Kwanzaa is the ingathering of the people, a special
reverence for the Creator and creation, a commemoration of the past, a
recommitment to our highest ideals, and a celebration of all that is
good. It is a time of reflecting, reassessing, recommitting, rewarding,
and rejoicing in an atmosphere of peace, love and unity. Kwanzaa is a
cultural and political expression to reaffirm our African Heritage and,
organize our people for the struggle of total Black Liberation.
How to Practice Kwanzaa?
THERE ARE
SEVEN SYMBOLS OF KWANZAA
Mkeka (Straw
Mat) - tradition and history; the foundation on which all else rests
Kinara
(Candle Holder) - original stalk from which we come; our African
ancestor
Mishumaa
Saba (7 Candles) - Nguzo Saba; The Seven Principles firmly rooted in
the traditions of our ancestors
Muhindi (Fan
of Corn) - represents children and all the hopes and challenges
attached to them.
Kikombe
(Unity Cup)
Mazao
(Crops) - the collective fruits of our labor
Zawadi
(Gifts) - seeds sown by the children and rewards for our
achievements
WHAT TO DO
AND WHEN TO DO IT
December 19th - gather and arrange Kwanzaa symbols. Any other
decorations (African carvings, straw baskets) should be in a red, black
and green color scheme, symbolizing the bendera ya taifa (Flag of the
Black Nation): Red - the liberation struggle of our people; Black - the
collective color of all Black people; and Green - land, life and our
future (we build together).
Arrange the
symbols on a low table as follows:
Spread the
Mkeka
Place the
Kinara in the center of the Mkeka
Place the
Muhindi on either side of the Kinara, one ear of corn for each
child, or one as a symbol of prosperity
Creatively
place the Zawadi, Kikombe, and a basket of Mazao on the Mkeka
Place 1
Slack Mishumaa in the center of the Kinara, with 3 Green on the
right, and 3 Bed on the left.
DECEMBER 26th
- JANUARY 1st Greeting - greet each other in Kiswabili asking
“Habari Gani?” (what’s the news or what’s happening?) Answer with the
principle for that day. For example, on December 26th, respond with
“Umoja.” Economic Empowerment - only shop at Black-owned
businesses during the seven days of Kwanzaa. In the spirit of Kwanzaa
and Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) we as Afrikan people should support
these same Black businesses, such as those in the
African Marketplace, all year round. Fasting - fast from sunrise to sunset to help
cleanse the body, discipline the mind, and uplift the spirit. We
are encouraged to do work in the community while we fast. Libation (Ancestral Communion) - an elder leader
should pour Libation, using water or juice, from the Kikombe into a bowl
(often containing a plant in soil) to honor our ancestors. Candle Lighting Ceremony - light one Mishumaa
each day for the principle of that day, beginning with the black candle,
which represents the firs principle Umoja. Each day thereafter,
alternately light the red and then the green candles. After each
lighting, discuss the principle of the day. The ceremony should be held
at a time when all family members, especially children, can participate. Karamu (The Feast) - the Karamu is held on the
night of December and should be a festive occasion. When possible,
observe traditional African practices, e.g., African music, dance and
storytelling, sitting on the floor or on pillows, and eating with the
hands (no utensils). Libation, Candlelighting and Harambee are conducted
at the Karamu. Zawadi - (They should not be mandatory,
expensive or excessive). It is suggested that Zawadi he given to the
children in one or two ways: One gift each day, reinforcing the
principle of that day, or one or more gifts on January 1st, the last day
of Kwanzaa.
Personally made gifts are strongly encouraged over commercial purchases.
Regardless of what else is given, there are two strongly suggested items
a book and heritage symbol. These two items reinforce our commitment to
education and the richness of our cultural heritage.
The essence of Kwanzaa is a true appreciation of
ourselves as Black People, collectively coming together to reflect an
and enjoy the infinite beauty o being in the same family, group or
organization, sharing the same values, interests and aspirations,
engaging in and committing to the same struggle.
Asante Sam! (Thank You Very Much) And Have A Happy Wholesome
