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Article from Issue #4 (December 7, 2018)

The Celebration of Kwanzaa

by Catherine Wylie

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The Meaning of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a Swahili word that means "first" and signifies the first fruits of the harvest. From December 26 to January 1, many people of African descent in America-celebrate Kwanzaa. ... Working towards a successful harvest is a communal effort, as is the celebration.

Kwanzaa has seven core principles, or Nguzo Saba:

Each day of Kwanzaa represents one of the seven principles, or nguzo saba. Taken together, the seven principles make up kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Kwanzaa celebrants are encouraged to discuss, meditate on and dedicate themselves to a different concept every day:

  1. Umoja (unity): commemorates togetherness not only in family, friend and community groups but in the world African population
  2. Kujichagulia (self-determination): honors the ability to define, create and speak for the self
  3. Ujima (collective work and responsibility): focuses on communal problem-solving and consensus-building
  4. Ujamaa (cooperative economics): spotlights sharing work and wealth and following non-exploitative business practices that benefit the whole community
  5. Nia (purpose): a commitment to upholding black history and heritage and regaining prominence as a culture
  6. Kuumba (creativity): explores the obligation to beautify the community for future generations
  7. Imani (faith): focuses on being positive and believing in the potential of the self and the community as a whole

During the evening candle-lighting everyone in the group explains what the day's principles mean to them and how they tried to apply it that day. There might be an activity based on the principle, like a project, a musical performance or a poetry reading.

This is a beautiful celebration of the Holiday Season, Happy Kwanzaa!


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