by Beatrix Kiddo

Created on: December 02, 2009

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa is also known as The Seven Principles of Blackness, or Nguzo Saba. Swahili term of tradition is found in the word "Kawaida" which is comprised of the seven principles listed. But the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are not just a set of values to follow, or a traditional mask to wear. The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa is a way of life, and celebrated daily yet mostly appreciated and noted during Kwanzaa. For those with children, below you will find a couple of peaceful activities in celebrating the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.

AC's Lori Lane offers peaceful activities that your children can enjoy when celebrating the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Visit Kwanzaa Games for Children and travel towards the bottom of the page. You can also visit Kwanzaa Craft Projects for Kids. There you will find on the first page a craft project surrounding the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

Here are the seven principles of Kwanzaa defined.

Unity, or Umoja, to strive for and maintain togetherness in family, community, nation, and race.

Self-determination, or Kujichagulia, to define our very being, speak for ourselves, and name ourselves.

Collective work and responsibility, or Ujima, to build and maintain as a community together in unit, as a team. To allow no one to suffer alone, leave no man or woman behind.

Cooperative economics, or Ujamaa, to build businesses so that everyone profits on various levels, and not just one.

Purpose, or Nia, to make our efforts worth in such a way that we contribute to the world around us as it reflects in our doings.

Creativity, or Kuumba, to be constructive and crafty in creating a community much better than we inherited it.

Faith, or Imani, to believe in the world around us, our people, our teachers, our peers, and to have hope in a better future from our past struggles.

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa was noted by George W. Bush in 2004, just four years prior to the first African American man entered the White House. However, it will be interesting to see if Barack Obama actually does the same.

The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa is not the full spectrum of Kwanzaa. There are other additional forms of celebrating Kwanzaa such as the African Pledge reading, the lighting of six red candles surrounding one black candle used to symbolize the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, or the Karamu feast and a Kwanzaa Mkeka. But Kwanzaa would not be Kwanzaa without the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa. They are the basic essence to the being and make up of the celebration of Kwanzaa.

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Source(s):

AC/Make Your Own Kwanzaa Mkeka

AC/Decorating for Kwanzaa

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