Tag Archives: symbols

Sad that Christmas is Over and There’s Nothing to Celebrate Until New Year’s?

25 Dec
Celebrate Kwanzaa!! I do! haha

Celebrate Family, Community, and Culture with me…All Cultures, mmk? Yes, Kwanzaa has roots in the black nationalist movement, and is founded in the African culture. The terms are in Swahili, but I am a multilingual African-American girl of many cultures, so I’m celebrating the holiday while embracing ALL cultures AND religions…so EVERYONE feel free to celebrate with me :).

The Nguzu Saba: The Seven Principles

Kwanzaa is seven days long. Each day represents a different principle, as you will see over the next week. It’s always celebrated from December 26th through January 1st.

  1. Umoja: Unity
  2. Kujichagulia: Self-Determination
  3. Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility
  4. Ujamaa: Cooperative Economics
  5. Nia: Purpose
  6. Kuumba: Creativity
  7. Imani: Faith

The seven symbols used during Kwanzaa

  1. Mazao: Crops, Fruits, Vegetables
  2. Vibunzi: Ear of Corn
  3. Mkeka: Placemat
  4. Mishumaa Saba: The Seven Candles
  5. Kinara: The Candleholder
  6. Kikombe Cha Umoja: The Unity Cup
  7. Zawadi: Gifts

So What do I do?

A common greeting is Jambo! The celebration starts each day with inviting your loved ones who’ve passed away to celebrate with you, and then someone says Habari Gani? That means What’s the News? The reply to that question is the principle for that day. Details for each specific day will be posted that morning.