“Seven Kwanzaa principles for seven days honored with seven candles. Kwanzaa is a celebration of prosperity, community, and purpose. It is the celebration of life and everything it has to offer.”
Kwanzaa is a non-religious holiday celebrated from December 26th through January 1st every year by people of African descent. It is the annual celebration of life and a homage to the African heritage. Each day, a candle is lit on the Kinara (candleholder) to represent one of the seven principles called the Nguzo Saba. The week-long festivities include dances, songs, African drums, poetry, storytelling sessions followed by a mega feast called Karamu on 31st December.
HOW DID KWANZAA CAME INTO BEING?
A professor and chairman of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach, Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966. His sole purpose was to find a way through which African Americans can be reconnected and brought together as a community to honor their African heritage.
In the late 1960s, as the Civil Rights Movement converted into Black Nationalism as per the need of the time, Karenga came up with Kwanzaa. Based on the first harvest celebrations in Africa, it is taken from the Swahili phrase ‘matunda ya kwanza’ which means the ‘first fruits’.
As per Karenga, the purpose of Kwanzaa was to “give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.”
NGUZU SABA – THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF KWANZAA
The seven principles of Kwanzaa and the symbols associated with them reflect the values of African culture. They promote peace, community, and harmony between African Americans. Each day has its principle, hence the seven days of celebration.
Here are the seven principles and their meaning:
Umoja – Celebrated on 26th December, the first day marks the principles of Umoja which means the day of Unity. On this day, everyone sets a goal to maintain unity first and foremost as family, then community, and finally the race of people.
Kujichagulia – The second principle represents self-determination. When the candle is lit for this principle, it serves as the reminder of practicing staunch self-determination in defining, naming & creating, and speaking for yourself and others.
Ujima – Ujima means collective work and responsibility. It fosters a sense of belonging and community. It is the practice of building and maintaining the community and solving problems together.
Ujamaa – The fourth principle focuses on cooperative economics. This serves a higher purpose of collective financial capability. Ujaama highlights building and maintaining retail stores and other businesses and to profit from these ventures together.
Nia – Nia means purpose. The purpose that African Americans need. It represents working collectively to build communities that will restore the greatness of African people.
Kuumba – Kuumba, celebrated on 31st December with a big feast, means Creativity. It relies on finding new and innovative ways to leave communities of African descent with more benefits than the community inherited. It is all about using individual and collective creativity for growth.
Imani – The final principle is all about faith. It is the belief in God, family, heritage, leaders, and others that will lead to the righteousness and victory of Africans around the world.
HOW TO CELEBRATE KWANZAA?
Kwanzaa is widely celebrated in Canada, England, Jamaica, and Brazil other than the US. The ceremonies typically involve reading of the principles, African pledges, and various historical stories. They involve a lot of music and drumming that goes back to the African heritage. Then there are obviously candles for each day followed by a feast.
Though Kwanzaa celebrations are held in Los Angeles, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington among others, this year it is going to be a little different. With the social distancing being followed every year, it is wise to take the celebrations on Zoom where everyone can virtually join and light the candles together. You should talk about African history & heritage, share the stories with children, and discuss how each principle can be applied in today’s world.
Don’t forget to print out literature of the Kwanzaa principle and tell everyone else who is virtually joining to do the same. For décor inspiration, you can always use the seven basic symbols.
“Do not let a pandemic stop you from connecting back to your roots and celebrating one of the most important African American holidays of the year.”