Kwanzaa on the Net - Lighting The Kwanzaa Kinara

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa

The foundation of Kwanzaa are the Seven Principles, or Nguzo Saba. When Dr. Karenga created the celebration of Kwanzaa he wanted to reflect the best qualities and characteristics of the "first fruit" or harvest festivals that were celebrated throughout Africa. It was these qualities that established the Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. (Nguzo Saba is Kiswahili for Seven Principles).

The Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa are:

Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity

Success starts with Unity. Unity of family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination

To be responsible for ourselves. To create your own destiny.
Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility

To build and maintain your community together. To work together to help one another within your community.
Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics

To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.
Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose

To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. To be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants).
Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity

Using creativity and imagination to make your communities better than what you inherited.
Imani (ee-MAH-nee): Faith

Believing in our people, our families, our educators, our leaders, and the righteousness of the African American struggle.

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Comments

Tia Daniels from Ohio, US

11:06 01/04/2010

WELL, RIGHT NOW.I'M ON THE SCALE OF NOT KNOWING IF I'[M GETTING a A OR a C ,I'M HOPING a A ....PLEASE PRAY FOR ME..

Tia Daniels from Ohio, US

21:10 12/31/2009

HI, EVERYONE, WELL I'M DOING THIS PROJECT ON THE 7 PRINCIPLES WISH ME LUCK, HAPPY HOILDAYS..

Stephanie from Georgia, US

10:40 12/30/2009

Great website! Paul is entitled to his opinin know matter how wrong he is. That is okay. I have been celebrating for years and will continue and teach my children the priciples of Kwanzaa. Much love and peace to everyone! Happy New Year and may it be at powerful as the last year.

YAVIN ALI OF R&B from Ohio, US

18:33 12/29/2009

THE TIMES I DID THESE CELEBRATIONS INCARCERATED WERE A TRUE WAY TO GIVE TOWARDS MY ANCESTORS AND THE WISDOM ATTAINED WAS PRICELESS...I NOW AM FREE AND YOU CAN SEE HOW I GIVE TO THE KIDS AND TRIBAL LEADERS OF MY TERRITORY IN OHIO (URL Edited)

Liesa from California, US

18:32 12/29/2009

Dear Paul, You sound so ignorant I think maybe you should reread about kwanzaa, its definition, and how it all came about. Why can't blacks have their own holiday just like jews and muslims, we're people too and deserve our own holiday and day of celebration just as much as anyone else. And no dumass KWANZAA isn't spelled wrong you're just to ignorant on the subject of kwanzaa. An as for everyone else HAPPY KWANZAA AND HAPPY UJAMAA

Jacob from Michigan, US

23:50 12/27/2009

to "non african from cayman Islands" All holidays are made up by people. Some are older some newer. Some are religious (Passover) some are for fun (secretaries day). Just because you don't know anyone who has heard of the holiday-that means nothing. It's still a legitimate and necessary holiday for both people of color and whites. btw I am white and I celebrate Kwanzaa with my black family and friends.

Desiree from North Carolina, US

14:44 12/27/2009

Happy Kwanzaa to all. PAUL: I wanted to address your comment. There is nothing racist about Kwanzaa. It is the celebration of the African American EQUALITY (the opposite of racism) struggle. Umoja means unity. Unity of race means to not be divided as a race, for that would hinder the movement. It also means unity of/with all races, for that is the goal of the equal rights movement. Kwanzaa is a celebration of the progress made thus far.

paul from California, US

23:44 12/26/2009

Hi i was just reading about Kwanzaa and it was nice but a little races. The word Umoja even said to your race. X-mas is shared for all and tells all to love all. I dont think they worded Kwanzaa right or mybe its just for back people to have and not share.

Nia from Florida, US

22:56 12/26/2009

this is a very helpful site i love this and i hope there will be more sites like this talking and sharing about black peoples history this site is amazing

yenatee kuieh from Pennsylvania, US

22:24 12/26/2009

Dear Annaird, Happy Kwanzaa to you and the family. Umoja first principle "unity"

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