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The Complete Kwanzaa is "An ambitious and brilliant work of scholarship; a book that will be a valuable reference source for many years." |
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Kwanzaa means "first fruits of the harvest" in the African language Kiswahili. This African-American spiritual holiday was formulated, devised, developed and initiated by Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga on December 26, 1966. The operational under pinnings are based on the cultural principles of a theory called Kawaida. The Kawaida Theory premise is that social revolutionary change for Black America can be achieved by the act of revealing and disclosing individuals to their cultural heritage.
During the early and middle sixties Dr. Karenga noted that many community based groups were functioning and utilizing a myriad of ideologies, plans, and social approaches to assist Black Americans to obtain social changes in this era of Civil Rights in America. The cultural social under pinnings of the Kawaida Theory gave conditions that would enhance the revolutionary social change for the masses of Black Americans. The first condition to be addressed was the major exploitation of Black America during the months of October, November, December or the Christmas Season. The second condition was that during this time in history, Black Americans did not have a holiday. Review of the major holidays celebrated by the American society would reveal that not one related to the growth and development or essence of Black Americans. The third condition was to which Dr. Maulana Karenga postulated a reassessment, reclaiming, recommitment, remembrance, retrieval, resumption, resurrection, and rejuvenation of those principles (Way of Life) utilized by Black Americans' ancestors. The principles (Way of Life) allowed them to endure slavery, racism, and oppressions during their sojourn in American.
Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement. Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious and despite some misconceptions, is not a substitute for Christmas. It is simply a time of reaffirming African-American people, their ancestors and culture.
The focus of Kwanzaa is centered around the seven principles with particular emphasis on the unity of Black families. It is a time for gathering of our families, and for a rededication to manifesting the principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba) as a way of life for Black Americans. These seven principles are:
- Umoja
(unity-pronounced OO-MO-JAH) to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.
- Kujichagulia (self-determination-pronounced KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-YAH) to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
- Ujima (collective work and responsibility-pronounced OO-GEE-MAH) to build and maintain our community together and make our sister's and brother's problems our problems and to solve them together.
- Ujamaa (cooperative economics-pronounced OO-JAH-MAH) to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses together.
- Nia (purpose-pronounced NEE-YAH) to make our collective vocation the building of our community to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
- Kuumba (creativity-pronounced KOO-OOM-BAH) to do as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
- Imani (faith-pronounced EE-MAH-NEE) to believe with our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
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