Kwanzaa - A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture

Kwanzaa, which means “first fruits of the harvest” in the African language Kiswahili, is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of:

  1. Family
  2. Community Responsibility
  3. Commerce, and Self-improvement

26

Umoja

(Unity)

To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

UNITY – I will strive to live in harmony with those within and without my circle.

27

Kujichagulia

(Self Determination)

To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

SELF-DETERMINATION – I will have the time, the ability, energy and determination to do all that is set before me.

28

Ujima

(Collective Work and Responsibility)

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To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.

COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY – I will do good through my work and I will join others who are doing good through their work.

29

Ujamaa

(Cooperative Economics)

To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS – I will use my talents in cooperation with the talents of others so together we may prosper.

30

Nia

(Purpose)

To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

NIA -I will try my best to find my path and purpose in life through prayer, meditation and spiritual readings and take positive action.

31

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.

CREATIVITY – I will free myself to experience new ideas, new viewpoints, new philosophies, new understandings to bring grace and beauty to my world.

1

Imani

(Faith)

To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

FAITH -I will sweep away all fear of the unknown, past regrets and concerns for the future from my mind and meet each day with active faith.

What do the 7 symbols of Kwanzaa mean?
Mishumaa saba or the 7 candles represents the seven principles and values of Kwanzaa;

-3 red candles represent the struggle.

-3 green candles represent the environment and a hopeful future.

-1 black candle presents the people of African descent.