What is Kwanzaa? How does it relate to Christianity? Find out more about the history and meaning of this festival. Kwanzaa is a week-long African American festival (December 26-January 1) that concludes one year and begins another. The festival comes from the East-African Swahili phrase “Marunda Ya Kwanzaa,” which… Read More

Unity is the first principle of Kwanzaa, but it is also an important characteristic for Christians. The first principle of Kwanzaa is Umoja (oo-MOE-jah) Unity – To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. Unity in Christ The writer of the Letter to the… Read More

Use this meditation to learn more about the importance of self-determination, the second principle of Kwanzaa, in the Christian faith. The second principle of Kwanzaa is Kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) Self Determination – To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves. TAKE HOLD OF THE PRIZE The… Read More

Ujima refers to collective work and responsibility. Use this tool to reflect on the role of collective responsibility within the body of Christ. The third principle of Kwanzaa is Ujima (oo-JEE-mah) Collective Work and Responsibility – To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sister’… Read More

Acts contains the account of early Christians sharing their possessions and living in community. The fourth principle of Kwanzaa, cooperative economics, contains a similar message. The fourth principle of Kwanzaa is Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) Cooperative Economics – To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and othr businesses and to… Read More

God designed people to be in relationships. The fifth principle of Kwanzaa, purpose, also involves working for the common good. The fifth principle of Kwanzaa is Nia (nee-AH) Purpose – To make as our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people… Read More

Kuumba means creativity. God calls Christians to use their creativity to build up the church as a whole. The sixth principle of Kwanzaa is Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity – To do always as much as we can, in the way that we can, in order to leave our community more… Read More

The final principle of Kwanzaa is faith. As Christians we are called to trust God with our lives, purposes and futures. The seventh principle of Kwanzaa is Imani (ee-MAH-nee) Faith – To believe with all our hearts in our parents, our teachers, our leaders, our people, and the righteousness… Read More