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An African American celebration of values
Kwanzaa
1. Umoja (Unity) To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems and to solve them together.
4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.
5. Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
6.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.
7. 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.
Each of the seven candles signify the principles. They differ from our Unitarian Principles in their words, but not in their meaning or the values behind the words. Like the Christian Advent Traditions as well as Earth Centered Solstice rituals, candles are used to represent concepts we celebrate during this holiday. Today, as we light our chalice, we will also light the seven candles of Kwanzaa.
This celebration is not a festival originating in any of the 55 African countries nor is it an "African" Christmas celebration. Kwanzaa does not have its origin in the old or new testament of the bible. Kwanzaa is an African-American celebration of life and harvests from 26 December to 1 January.
Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home. Dr. Karenga created this festival for Afro-Americans as a response to the commercialism of Christmas. In fact one might say that Kwanzaa has similarities with Thanksgiving in the United States or the Yam Festival in Ghana and Nigeria. The word "kwanza" is a KiSwahili (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania) word meaning "first."
Five common sets of values are central to the activities of the week:
The seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa utilize Kiswahili words: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba), and faith (imani). Each of the seven candles signify the principles. Like the Jewish Hannakah, candles are used to represent concepts of the holiday.
The symbols of Kwanzaa include crops (mzao) which represents the historical roots of African-Americans in agriculture and also the reward for collective labor. The mat (mkeka) lays the foundation for self- actualization. The candle holder (kinara) reminds believers in the ancestral origins in one of 55 African countries. Corn/maize (muhindi) signifies children and the hope associated in the younger generation. Gifts (Zawadi) represent commitments of the parents for the children. Theunity cup (Kkimbe cha Umoja) is used to pour libations to the ancestors. Finally, the seven candles (mishumaa saba) remind participants of the several principles and the colors in flags of African liberation movements -- 3 red, 1 black, and 3 green.
Gifts are exchanged. On 31 December participants celebrate with a banquet of food often cuisine from various African countries. Participants greet one another with "Habari gani" which is Kiswahili for "how are you/ how's the news with you?"
Hymn:
1.What is the importance of kujichagulia for you?
2. Kwanzaa is a new celebration, first celebrated from December 26, 1966. Have you discovered any Poems or Legends about this holiday? Do you observe ceremonies and customs for Kwanzaa?
3. What is the purpose of Kwanzaa?
4. Ujamaa or Cooperative economics is an important principle. How do you incorporate this principle into your life, within your family, and your community?
5. Other Faith traditions also have rituals, rites and ceremonies with 7 candles at this time of year. Do you see a relationship between Solstice Rituals, Hannakah candles and lights used to observe Advent?
How important is it to be reminded of these seven principles as we plan to recommit ourselves to them in the New Year?
AKWANSOSEM AFRICAN STUDIES PROGRAM - OUTREACH, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON Vol. III, No. 2 - March, 1990
Habari gani, how are you and how's the news with you? Many Unitarian Universalist churches honor our African heritage with a celebration and reminder of the values and principles of Kwanzaa. This serves to remind us of what is the importance of Kwanzaa as well as its principles and the values that we share. The seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa utilize Kiswahili words:
Unity (umoja),
Self-determination (kujichagulia),
Collective work and responsibility (ujima),
Cooperative economics (ujamaa),
Purpose (nia),
Creativity (kuumba),
and Faith (imani).
It is not enough to name the principles as we light each of the kinara candles. Let us pause and meditate for a moment on the principle behind each word.
ingathering,
reverence,
commemoration,
recommitment,
celebration.
Story for All Ages: (the children go to Religious Education at the end of the story and the adults sing "Spitit of Life" )
Today our story is Lights for Lucy by Connie Dunn
# 123 (STLT)
"Spirit of Life" by Carolyn McDade (adapted)
Spirit of Life, come unto us,
Sing in our hearts all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in our hands, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold us close; wings set us ,;
Spirit of Life, come to us, come to me.
Discussion Theme: Kwanzaa in our Community: Its meaning and importance
Copyright Congregation Unitarian Universalist of Puerto Rico Domestic Non-Profit Corporation #6268
