Kawanzaa
To understand and appreciate the meaning and message of Kwanzaa it is important to understand its profound and pervasive concern with values. In fact, Kwanzaa's reason for existence, its length of seven days, its core focus and its foundation are all rooted in its concern with values, which come from Kawaida, the African philosophical framework in which it was created. Kawaida philosophy is a communitarian African philosophy -- an ongoing synthesis of the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world.
The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)
Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African community. These values are called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means the Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga, the Nguzo Saba stand at the heart of the origin and meaning of Kwanzaa, for it is these values which are not only the building blocks for community but also serve to reinforce and enhance them.
Umoja (Unity) – To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Kujichangulia (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 brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.
Ujamaa (Cooporative Economics) to build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to 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 we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Imani (Faith) – to believe with allour heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness andvictory of our struggle.
View a slideshow of the December 2007 Kwanzaa celebration.