Seven Principles Of Kwanzaa | Angel Words and Art

Kwanzaa Angel & the Seven Principles

December 27th, 2008 by Kathleen

I thought this African-American Angel was perfect to introduce Kwanzaa, which began on December 26 and lasts until January 1. Though mainly celebrated in the United States, Kwanzaa is celebrated in other countries, too.

Kwanzaa was created by Dr. Ron Maulana Karenga, Professor of Africana Studies, California State University–Long Beach. It was first celebrated from December 26, 1966, to January 1, 1967.

Kwanzaa celebrates African heritage and teaches principles of honoring the community and helping others. The seven days of celebration include activities such as candle-lighting and pouring of libations. They end with a feast and gift-giving.

Good Morning Lord Art Print
Varner Ll, Ernest…
30 in. x 25 in.
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Kwanzaa celebrates the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba, which Professor Karenga said “is a communitarian African philosophy” consisting of “the best of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world.”

The seven principles of Kwanzaa are called Kawaida, a Swahili term for tradition and reason. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the principles. Each day a candle is lighted and a libation poured in honor of the principle to which that day is dedicated:

Dec. 26—Umoja (Unity) To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Dec. 27—Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Dec. 28—Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.
Dec. 29—Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
Dec. 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.
Dec. 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.
Jan. 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.