The Nguzo Saba (The Seven Principles)
Kwanzaa is a celebration that reinforces seven basic
principles/values found in the African culture. It was established to help
build and strengthen the African American family, community and pride within
our culture. The Nguzo Saba, Swahili for the Seven Principles, developed by Dr.
Maulana Karenga, are considered to be the building blocks for a strong and
productive community. Although December 26-January 1 marks the celebration of
Kwanzaa for African Americans throughout the United States, these principles
should be practiced everyday.
Day 1 December 26/ Principle #1: Umoja (oo-MOE-jah)
UNITY: To strive for and maintain unity in the
family, community, nation and race.
Day 2 December 27/ Principle #2: Kujichagulia
(koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah)
SELF DETERMINATION: To define ourselves, name
ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Day 3 December 28/ Principle #3: Ujima (oo-JEE-mah)
COLLECTIVE WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY: To build and
maintain our community together and to help solve the problems of our brothers
and sisters.
Day 4 December 29/ Principle #4: Ujamaa
(oo-JAH-mah)
COOPERATIVE ECONOMICS: To build and maintain our
own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them.
Day 5 December 30/ Principle #5: Nia (nee-AH)
PURPOSE: To make our collecive vocation the
building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to
their traditional greatness.
Day 6 December 31/ Principle #6: Kuumba
(Koo-OOM-bah)
CREATIVITY: To do always as much as we can, in the
way that we can, in order to leave our community more beautifully than the way
we inherited it.
Day 7 January 1/ Principle #7: Imani (ee-MAH-nee)
FAITH: To believe with all hearts in our parents,
our teachers, our leaders, our people and the righteousness and victory of our
struggle.
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