This year's Kwanzaa celebration runs from December 26-January 1, 2016
The name Kwanzaa is derived from the phrase “matunda ya
kwanza” which means “first fruits” in Swahili. Each family celebrates Kwanzaa
in its own way, but celebrations often include songs and dances, African drums,
storytelling, poetry reading, and a large traditional meal. On each of the
seven nights, the family gathers and a child lights one of the candles on the
Kinara (candleholder), then one of the seven principles is discussed.
The
principles, called the Nguzo Saba (seven principles in Swahili) are values of
African culture which contribute to building and reinforcing community among
African-Americans. Kwanzaa also has seven basic symbols which represent values
and concepts reflective of African culture. An African feast, called a Karamu,
is held on December 31.
The candle-lighting ceremony each evening provides the
opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa. The first night, the
black candle in the center is lit (and the principle of umoja/unity is
discussed). One candle is lit each evening and the appropriate principle is
discussed.
Seven Principles
Unity:Umoja (oo–MO–jah)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Self-determination: Kujichagulia (koo–gee–cha–goo–LEE–yah)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for
ourselves.
Collective Work and Responsibility: Ujima (oo–GEE–mah)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and
sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
Cooperative Economics: Ujamaa (oo–JAH–mah)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit
from them together.
Purpose: Nia (nee–YAH)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in
order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Creativity: Kuumba (koo–OOM–bah)
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.
Faith: Imani (ee–MAH–nee)
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our
leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
From http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
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.
To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
