Do you know the origins and significance of Kwanzaa? We believe that we can all be inspired by its principles, and take the time to honor a holiday designed to lift up the black community.
During Kwanzaa (Dec. 26 - Jan. 1) we will be focusing one of its principles each day. “Kwanzaa celebrates family, community, culture, and heritage.” Dr. Maulana Karenga created the seven-day holiday in 1966 to restore “the best of African thought and practice”. During the struggle for civil rights, he sought to inspire African Americans who were working for progress. Dr. Karenga reminded them to honor and value the rich, ancient African cultures that are part of their roots. Each of the seven Kwanzaa principles is the focus of one of the seven evenings, and a candle (black, red, or green) is lit each evening to enhance the focus.
As part of the Racial Justice Ministry celebration of Kwanzaa, we have created some short videos on each of the days/principles of Kwanzaa. We hope you enjoy them and that they make you feel connected this important holiday for the African-American community.
Kwanzaa is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles,) one for each day of the observance, and is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.)
Umoja (OO-MO-JAH) Unity - To strive for and maintain in the family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH) Self-Determination - To define ourselves, name ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Ujima (OO-GEE-MAH) Collective Work and Responsibility - To build and maintain the community together and work to solve problems together.
Ujamaa (OO-JAH-MAH) Cooperative economics - To build and maintain African-Amercan owned businesses and to profit from them as a community.
Nia (NEE-YAH) Purpose - To create personal and collective goals that are beneficial to the community.
Kuumba (KOO-OOM-BAH) Creativity - To do what can be done, using creativity to be beneficial to the community and leave more to be inherited by future generations.
Imani (EE-MAH-NEE) Faith - To believe and trust the best of our traditions and each other, drawing upon the best in ourselves, and helping ourselves strive for a higher level of life.