MOSAEC-Culture Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa - Celebrating the Seven Principles
By David Dodson

The holiday season brings many memories to mind - some joyful, others unpleasant and still others of traditions held so dear. My principal recollections are of annual family trips to cut down a Christmas tree. An even stronger memory is my family's annual Kwanzaa get-togethers. Family - nuclear and extended - traveled great distances to celebrate the days and principles of Kwanzaa, the African-American and Pan-African holiday created by Dr. Maulana Karenga.

For as long as I can remember, this was my family's tradition. As the youngest speaking person during these gatherings, I seemed to have the most responsibility. I lit the candles, described each principle, explained the importance of Kwanzaa and explained the meaning of the traditional items present. These duties were separate from the requirement that everyone have an item to share (e.g. poetry, music, a story) that related to the Kwanzaa principles. I can remember vehemently complaining about my responsibilities to no avail. But it seemed that once the ritual began, the Kwanzaa principles suddenly became real for everyone and I was responsible for that.

Kwanzaa2

Participating in the Kwanzaa ritual with family served as a reminder of the value of life and kinship. Each principle was cause to reflect on the past year and reason to think about how each principle could impact our lives in the upcoming year. As we went around the group and listened to everyone share something from their heart, it brought us closer. We culminated the festivities with an amazing meal that solidified our communion as family.

During the season of giving, I've watched as Kwanzaa has slowly become mainstream. Today, there are Hallmark Kwanzaa cards, various Kwanzaa expos and a growing market of Kwanzaa-oriented gifts. As we begin purchasing gifts this season, please do not allow that to be the extent of your holiday efforts. Even if you will not participate in any formal Kwanzaa activities, do not allow the meaning of the holiday to fade. If you do nothing else, read the principles and allow them to take meaning in your heart.

	The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)*
ť	Umoja (Unity)	To work toward maintaining unity in the family, community, nation and race.
ť	Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)	To define, name, create and speak for ourselves instead of being named, created and spoken for by others.
ť	Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)	To build and maintain our community together making the communities problems part of our own.
ť	Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)	To build and maintain our own stores and businesses so that we can profit together.
ť	Nia (Purpose)	To make our collective goal the development of a strong community so that our people are restored to their traditional greatness
ť	Kuumba (Creativity)	To do what we can in a creative manner so that we may leave our community more beautiful than we inherited it.
ť	Imani (Faith)	To believe in our people, the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

*See, Dr. Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa : A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture (1997). M

December 2000