Here's What You Need to Know About Kwanzaa

Each of Kwanzaa’s seven principles has special meaning. Learn the meaning behind the Swahili words and how they can be applied to everyday life.

Umoja | Unity | Dec. 26

To strive for and maintain unity in family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia | Self-Determination | Dec. 27

To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Ujima | Collective Work and Responsibility | Dec. 28

To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.

Ujamaa | Cooperative Economics | Dec. 29

To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Nia | Purpose | Dec. 30

To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Kuumba | Creativity | Dec. 31

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.

Imani | Faith | Jan. 1

To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Represents Black people around the world, the struggle for freedom, and a prosperous future.

Representing African harvest celebrations.

Each representing the principles—or values—Black people should live by. There are three red, three green, and a single black candle in the kinara.

Represents tradition and history; foundation.

Each ear of corn placed on the mat represents children living in the home or future children desired.

A symbol of togetherness—both the principle and practice.

Usually wooden, and representing Black people’s connection to the African continent.

Like many other holiday celebrations, gifts are exchanged and represent the sacrifice and bond of parents, and their children’s achievements.

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Ellen Chamberlain is The 'Gander's multimedia content producer. She is a seeker and sharer of truth.

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