Which of Kwanzaa’s 7 principles do you identify with? Take our reader poll.
We have entered the Kwanzaa season, an African and African American cultural celebration honoring history, values, family and community taking place from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.
Kwanzaa is based on several traditions adopted from the first-fruits harvest festivals honored in many east African countries. Millions in the United States and globally celebrate both Christmas and Kwanzaa every year, scholars say.
With than in mind, each day during the weeklong celebration is an opportunity to reflect on its seven principles, or in Kiswahili, the Nguzo Saba, listed below.
The principles espouse virtues everyone can embrace. We invite readers to consider these principles, not only during Kwanzaa but throughout the year and decide which one resonates with you.
NGUZO SABA
Day 1: Umoja - (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Day 2: Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Day 3: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.
Day 4: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Day 5: Nia (Purpose)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Day 6: 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.
Day 7: 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.
Below is our poll. Happy Kwanzaa!
This story was originally published December 26, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
