Understanding Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a week-long African-American celebration in the United States that honors African-American history and culture. It is observed each year from December 26 through January 1 and was first celebrated in 1966.

The name Kwanzaa derives from the kiswahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, meaning first fruits of the harvest. The choice of the kiswahili, an East African language, reflects its status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism.

The idea of Kwanzaa was conceived by Maulana Karenga – a scholar and pan-Africanist.

The celebration of Kwanzaa is based on seven principles, each identified by a kiswahili word and dedicated on each of the seven days:

1. – Umoja: Which means unity. Unity of family, nation and a people.

2. – Kujichagulia: Which means self-determination. Representative of the African-American community’s need to control their own lives, define themselves and carve their own paths.

3. – Ujima: Which means collective work and responsibility. The African-American community is urged to work together to resolving all issues that affect it.

4. – Ujamaa: Which means cooperative economics. African-American owned businesses should be developed and sustained by the community.

5. – Nia: Which means purpose or aims. A commitment to restoration of African-American families and by extension all African-Americans to their historical greatness.

6. – Kuumba: Which means creativity. Encourages African-Americans to be trailblazers, visionaries – inorder to ensure that the community and nation is in a much better position socially, morally and financially.

7. – Imani: Which means faith. African-Americans are inspired to believe in their families, neighbors and leaders as they move forward in life.