The Values of
Kwanzaa
HERE IS NO WAY TO UNDERSTAND and appreciate the meaning and
message of Kwanzaa without understanding and appreciating its profound and
pervasive concern with values. In fact. Kwanzaa's reason for existence, its
length of seven days, its core focus and its foundation are all rooted in its
concern with values. Kwanzaa inherits this value concern and focus from Kawaida,
the African philosophical framework in which it was created. Kawaida philosophy
is a communitarian African philosophy which is an ongoing synthesis of the best
of African thought and practice in constant exchange with the world.
The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)
Kwanzaa
was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture
which contribute to building and reinforcing family, community and culture among
African American people as well as Africans throughout the world African
community. These values are called the Nguzo Saba which in Swahili means the
Seven Principles. Developed by Dr. Karenga, the Nguzo Saba stand at the heart of
the origin and meaning of Kwanzaa, for it is these values which are not only the
building blocks for community but also serve to reinforce and enhance them.
THE
NGUZO SABA
(The
Seven Principles)
Umoja
- Unity
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
Kujichagulia - Self-determination
To
define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for
ourselves.
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.
Ujamaa - Cooperative economics
To
build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit
from them together.
Nia - Purpose
To
make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in
order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
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.
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.