- Umoja (OO-MO-JAH)
Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the
family and the community, which is reflected in the
African saying, "I am We," or "I am
because We are."
- Kujichagulia
(KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH) Self-Determination requires
that we define our common interests and make decisions
that are in the best interest of our family and
community.
- Ujima
(OO-GEE-MAH) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds
us of our obligation to the past, present and future,
and that we have a role to play in the community,
society, and world.
- Ujamaa
(OO-JAH-MAH) Cooperative economics emphasizes our
collective economic strength and encourages us to meet
common needs through mutual support.
- Nia
(NEE-YAH) Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves
and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the
community.
- Kuumba
(KOO-OOM-BAH) Creativity makes use of our creative
energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant
community.
- Imani
(EE-MAH-NEE) Faith focuses on honoring the best of our
traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps
us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by
affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability
to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle.
CELEBRATING
KWANZAA
As it is always better to
get an early start, I suggest that you begin the first week
in December by making a check list for the following items:
A Kinara (candle holder); Mkeka (placemat
preferably made of straw); Mazao (crops, i.e., fruits
and vegetables); Vibunzi (ears of corn to reflect the number
of children in the household); Kikombe cha umoja
(communal unity cup); Mishumaa saba (seven candles,
one black, three red, and three green); and Zawadi
(gifts that are enriching).
It is
important that the Kinara not be confused with the
menorah. The Kinara holds seven candles to reflect the seven
principles which are the foundation of Kwanzaa, while the
menorah is a Jewish religious symbol that holds nine
candles. If you don't have a Kinara and don't know where to
get one, it is suggested that you use "kuumba"
(creativity) and make one. A 2x4 or a piece of driftwood
will do just fine, and screw-in candle holders can be
purchased in most hardware stores. The Mkeka (place
mat) shouldn't present a problem. While straw is suggested
because it is traditional, cloth makes an adequate
substitute. If cloth is used, one with an African print is
preferred. The other symbols are easy to come by and warrant
no further discussion other than to caution against placing
the Mazao (crops)in a cornucopia which is Western. A
plain straw basket or a bowl will do just fine. One last
note, even households without any children should place an
ear of corn on the place mat to symbolize the African
concept of social parenthood. All seven symbols are
creatively placed on top of the place mat, i.e., the symbols
should be attractively arranged as they form the Kwanzaa
centerpiece.
DECORATING
THE HOME
The Kinara along with
the other symbols of Kwanzaa should dominate the room, which
should be given an African motif. This is easily achieved
and shouldn't result in too much expense. The colors of
Kwanzaa are black, red and green. This should be kept in
mind when decorating the home. Black, red and green
streamers, balloons, cloth, flowers, and African prints can
be hung tastefully around the room. Original art and
sculpture may be displayed as well.
GIFTS
Kuumba (creativity)
is greatly encouraged. Not only is Kuumba one of the seven
principles, it also brings a sense of personal satisfaction
and puts one squarely into the spirit of Kwanzaa.
Therefore, those symbols that can be made, should be made.
The giving of gifts during Kwanzaa should be affordable and
of an educational or artistic nature. Gifts are
usually exchanged between parents and children and
traditionally given on January 1st, the last day of Kwanzaa.
However, gift giving during Kwanzaa may occur at any time.
THE
KWANZAA FEAST OR KARAMU
The Kwanzaa Karumu is
traditionally held on December 31st (participants
celebrating New Year's Eve, should plan their Karamu early
in the evening). It is a very special event as it is
the one Kwanzaa event that brings us closer to our African
roots. The Karamu is a communal and cooperative
effort. Ceremonies and cultural expressions are highly
encouraged. It is important to decorate the place
where the Karamu will be held, (e.g., home, community
center, church) in an African motif that utilizes black,
red, and green color scheme. A large Kwanzaa setting
should dominate the room where the karamu will take place.
A large Mkeka should be placed in the center of the floor
where the food should be placed creatively and made
accessible to all for self-service. Prior to and
during the feast, an informative and entertaining program
should be presented. Traditionally, the program
involved welcoming, remembering, reassessment, recommitment
and rejoicing, concluded by a farewell statement and a call
for greater unity.
The
Principle Symbols Associated with Kwanzaa
The
Karamu
A ritual Kwanzaa feast,
celebrating Umoja, or unity, is the highlight of the
holiday. Usually held on December 31, families gather to
share a meal, to pay homage to their ancestors, to celebrate
African-American heroes, to exchange the Zawadi or gifts.
During the meal a toast or tamshi la tambiko is made and a
libation is drunk from the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup) to
the ancestors.
The
Kinara
A candle-holder which, like
the menorah in the Jewish Hanukkah celebration, holds one
candle for each of day of Kwanzaa. The seven Mishumaa Saba
(candles), are placed left to right in the kinara as
follows: three red candles (representing nia, kuumba and
imani), one black candle (representing umoja - unity), and
three green candles (representing kujichagulia, ujima and
ujamaa). The black center candle is lit first, with the
remaining six on each of the following days.
Mazao
Fruits and vegetables of the
harvest, or the rewards for working together throughout the
year, are placed on the mkeka (a straw mat symbolizing
traditions of the past). At least two ears of corn, called
mihindi, are included to symbolize the children (the
kernels) of the father (the stalk), the hope for the future.
The
Bandera
African-American flag
created by Marcus Mosiah Garvey, founder of UNIA (Universal
Negro Improvement and Conservation Association and African
Communities League) in the early 1900's and adopted by Dr.
Karenga as a symbol for Kwanzaa. The flag has three stripes:
green representing freedom, black representing unity, and
red representing the blood spilled in the name of the other
two.
