Kwanzaa Celebration
examining the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
Kwanzaa celebration recognizes and reinforces the importance of values, family, and community.
The name "Kwanzaa" means First Fruits in Swahili. The celebration begins December 26th and ends January 1st. Kwanzaa is non-religious. On each of the seven nights, the family gathers, lights one of the candles on the candleholder, (in a specific order), then one of the seven principles is discussed. The principles are values contributing to building and reinforcing community.
Health and Wellness are an intricate part of unifying and building a community. The World Health Organization defines health and wellness as, "the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." HZ extends the definition as absence of disease and injury, and the presence of physical, emotional, mental and social-economic conditions and capacities to live a good and meaningful life.
Thus, in an effort to support those practicing nightly Kwanzaa discussions, music, singing, etc; HZ's zawadi (gift that represent labor, love, and commitment) is ten percent (10%) discount on products toward wellness resources.
The seven principles are:
Day 1- Umoja (Unity) To thrive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Day 2- Kujichagulia (Self-determination and accountability) To define ourselves and speak for ourselves.
Day 3- Ujima (Collective work and responsibility) To build and maintain our community together and make our community's problems our problems and to solve them together.
Day 4- Ujamaa (Collective Economics)To build businesses and maintain them by working together.
Day 5- Nia (Purpose) To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore to traditional greatness. Nia also encourages you to look at personal goals.
Day 6- Kuumba (Creativity in the community) To always do as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
Day 7- Imani (Faith) To believe with all our hearts in our people. [nmaahc.si.edu]
Kwanzaa is about committing ourselves to the collective achievement for a better life for ourselves. It is a sobering time to close out the year and truly prepare our heart and mind for the year to come.