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Umoja (Unity)

While I haven’t celebrated Kwanzaa in a few years, I do at least try to reflect on the principles each season. Today is the first day of Kwanzaa, an African American celebration of family, community, and culture. Each day for the next seven days I will post one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

Each day of Kwanzaa has a different principle that is practiced. Most people who celebrate Kwanzaa do it because it offers a sense of culture and value that they feel was lost during the middle passage crossing of their ancestors. A number of African Americans feel that there is still a void created by the loss their original language, religion, and culture. As a result Kwanzaa was created in 1966 for African Americans,  however the celebration and principles have a universal message for all people. The message of Kwanzaa is one of good will that is rooted in African culture.

Kwanzaa is celebrated in varying degrees depending on the comfort level of the individual celebrating it.  Some people prefer to reflect on the principles, while others go all out with nightly celebrations that involve family and community.   All African Americans do not celebrate Kwanzaa, so please don’t go around the neighborhood blurting out Habari Gani because you will find some people looking at you out of the corner of their eye.

The word “Kwanzaa” comes from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” which means “first-fruits.”  Kwanzaa is neither African, religious nor political.  It is a cultural holiday not meant to replace Christmas, but rather to allow the community to reflect on specific values that include truth, justice, propriety, harmony, balance, reciprocity and order. Commemoration of those who have paved the way for future generations plays a major role in the celebration of Kwanzaa.

The principles are all applicable to helping build a stronger community, which is definitely something we can use here in Harlem.

To learn more about Kwanzaa visit the official website.