Fifth Day of Kwanzaa Nia (Purpose)

Habari Gani - What's the News?

Today we celebrate the fifth day of Kwanzaa and we lite the second green candle on the Kinara.  The principle of the day is Nia (Purpose).  We must make it our purpose to maintain the dignity of our ancestors.  It is important to maintain families, build communities attend colleges and open businesses. African Americans must work to reclaim their rightful place in the world and restore ourselves to greatness.

As the last few days of Kwanzaa are celebrated it is important to put the principles into practice for our everyday lives.  Although the celebration is once a year, living our lives in a way that exemplifies the Nguzo Saba  (Seven Principles) should be done regularly.
 

Fourth Day of Kwanzaa Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

Habari Gani (What's the News)?

Today is the fourth day of Kwanzaa. The principle of the day is Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics).  To build, maintain and support our stores and businesses and profit from them together.  Today we lite the second red candle on the Kinara for the blood of the African people's long struggles for freedom and fairness.

During Kwanzaa, gifts (zawadi's) for the family can be made instead of purchased.  Crafts such as making bookmarks, clothing, dolls, placemats, book covers and quilts can be done easily.  It is also a good way to get the family to participate in a project together.  A book that I have used to create decorative items to help celebrate is Kwanzaa Crafts, Gifts & Decorations for a Meaningful & Festive Celebration by Marcia Odle McNair.

Third Day of Kwanzaa Ujima - Collective Work and Responsibility

Habari Gani is the greeting of the day.  It means what's the news?  The principle of the day is the response given.  Today is Ujima which is the collective work and responsibility, working together to build and strengthen our communities.  Today we lite the green candle on the Kinara for the bountiful land of Africa.  We must work together to solve our problems and take responsibility for our actions.

 

The History of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African American celebration that originated in 1966 by founder Dr. Maulana Karenga.  It is a cultural celebration more than religious one.  The term "Kwanzaa" means first fruits of the harvest in Swahili.  It is observed from December 26th through January 1st to celebrate the heritage of the African-American people and learn about our ancestors.  It is a way to support the community and give thanks for the good things in life.  The focus is not on giving a gift each day, although it can be a part of the celebration. Kwanzaa is more about learning who we are as a people and preparing our children and ourselves for the future.

Their are seven days of Kwanzaa which represent the seven principles that they are founded on.  The principles are called the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles in Swahili).  It is also celebrated by using the Kinara (Candle Holder) There are seven candles that are lit over the seven days.  One candle for each principle. By the end of the seven days each candle is lit and all seven burn together.  One black, three red and three green candles which collectively represent the people, the land and our ancestors. 

Homes in which Kwanzaa is celebrated are decorated with the colors, red, green and black as well as other symbols like the Mkeka (Woven straw mat) Muhindi (Corn), Mazao (Fruits or Vegatables), Zawadi (Simple handmade Afrocentric gifts and books), Kinara (Seven branched candle holder), Kikombe cha umoja (Unity Cup), and the Mishumaa saba (Seven candles).

Each Day of Kwanzaa is started with "Habari gani" Which is what's the news? The return answer is the principle of the day.  Today the response is Ujima, which is collective work and responsibility.  

For the last day of Kwanzaa it is celebrated with a Karamu or "Feast". This day begins the new year and it is a time to learn from our past learn about our present and look to our future. The Karamu will have traditional African dishes as well as other foods to celebrate the occasion.  It is time of family and community. 


For more information about Kwanzaa its meaning and ways to celebrate it, please go to: www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org
 

Second Day of Kwanzaa - Kujichagulia (Self - Determination)

Today is the second day of Kwanzaa, on this day we lite the red candle for the blood of our people, our ancestors who have come before us and made it possible for us to be here today. Kujichagulia means self-determination, deciding for ourselves who we are, who we want to be, and what we want to do.

First Day of Kwanzaa - Umoja is Unity

Habari Gani in Swahili means What's the News.  Today is the first day of the Kwanzaa seven day celebrarion. Today we light the black candle on the Kinara (Candle holder). We say Umoja in response to the greeting "Habari Gani". UMOJA is unity for our people. Only by having strong communities can we be united.

As We Close Out 2015 And Begin a New Year!

The end of 2015 is quickly approaching.  Was this year eventful or sad? Did you increase your wealth or take two steps back?  Perhaps you got married, engaged or divorced.  Either way, you have endured almost the entire year and it's not quite over. 

Whatever happened to you or your friends and family during 2015, it is still not too late to end the year on a high note to carry you into 2016.  To do this, could be as simple as putting the past behind you or forgiving someone that may have done you wrong.  Maybe its finally planning your vacation or planning for retirement.  For me, it's getting back to the things in my life that made sense, the things I enjoy doing and the things that make me happy. 

There are times in our lives that it feels that we are way off track.  That the plan we had for ourselves is so far left there is no way we can get it back on track.  I am here to tell you that it happens to the best of us and it is not this event that defines us but how we choose to steer our lives back in right  direction. 

So  my next question would be, how does this happen?  Well, our lives just don't correct themselves.  It doesn't just happen by osmosis or some other random act.  We need to accept the condition our lives are in and plan a way to move it forward.  I am not going to begin to tell anyone how this needs to happen, only that it is a process that we can't afford to put off. 

I recognized my own  need for a course correction earlier in the year.  I felt powerless to make the change and because of this my life continued to go off track and I was not equip to handle the curve balls that life was throwing at me.   It felt like there was no end in sight.  This feeling doesn't just go away we have to continuously put effort into changing our mind and changing our surroundings.  Which may include changing the people we associate with. 

Take a moment to reflect on this past year and what you want and where you want to be.  Use this to create a plan for yourself that you can stick to and one that you can achieve.

I would like to leave you with a thought, 

As long as we draw breath there is an opportunity to do things differently. Obstacles don't have to stop us we just need to learn a way to go over, around, under or through them.  Believing that we can change is a great way to begin.  Hope can be a powerful tool. 

English        Hope

Spanish        Esperanza

Latin            Spero

French          Espoir

German        Hoffnung

Russian        надеяться (nadeyat'sya)

Chinese        (Xīwàng)

Japanese        (Kibō)

Tagalog        pag-asa