Kiswahili culture
The seven principles of Kwanzaa, in Swahili
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of family, community and African heritage, held every year from 26 December to 1 January. Dr Maulana Karenga created it in 1966 in the United States, drawing on harvest festivals from across Africa. It is celebrated mostly by African Americans and by people of African descent elsewhere, often alongside Christmas and New Year rather than instead of them. Its words come from Kiswahili, a language spoken across East and Central Africa.
Where the name comes from
The name comes from the Kiswahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, 'first fruits'. Kwanza on its own means 'first'. The holiday's name adds a second a, which gives it seven letters, one for each of the seven principles.
matunda ya kwanza
first fruits
The seven principles: Nguzo Saba
Nguzo Saba means 'seven pillars' (nguzo, pillars; saba, seven). One principle is honoured on each day of Kwanzaa, in this order. In Kiswahili every vowel is pronounced and the stress falls on the second-to-last syllable; the capitals below show the stressed syllable.
Umoja
Unity. Say oo-MOH-jah. 26 December: standing together as families, communities and a people.
Kujichagulia
Self-determination. Say koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah. 27 December: choosing who we are and telling our own story, instead of letting others decide it.
Ujima
Collective work and responsibility. Say oo-JEE-mah. 28 December: working side by side to build the community and solving its problems together.
Ujamaa
Cooperative economics. Say oo-jah-MAH-ah. 29 December: owning and supporting businesses in the community and sharing what they bring in.
Nia
Purpose. Say NEE-ah. 30 December: giving our work a shared aim, a stronger community.
Kuumba
Creativity. Say koo-OOM-bah. 31 December: putting our talents to work so the community is richer and more beautiful for those who come after.
Imani
Faith. Say ee-MAH-nee. 1 January: trust in one another, in our elders and teachers, and in a better future worked for together.
The greeting: Habari gani?
During Kwanzaa people greet each other with Habari gani?, 'What's the news?'. The answer is the principle of the day: Umoja! on 26 December, Kujichagulia! on 27 December, and so on to Imani! on 1 January. In everyday Kiswahili Habari gani? is an ordinary greeting answered with Nzuri ('good'); answering with the principle belongs to Kwanzaa.
Habari gani?
What's the news?
Umoja!
Unity! (the reply on 26 December)
Imani!
Faith! (the reply on 1 January)
Nzuri
Good (the everyday reply to Habari gani?)
The dates
Kwanzaa always runs from 26 December to 1 January: seven days, one principle each. The karamu, a shared feast, is held on 31 December, the day of Kuumba. A candle is lit each evening, starting with the black candle in the centre on the first day.
The symbols
A Kwanzaa table usually carries seven symbols, each with a Kiswahili name.
mkeka
the mat, for tradition and history: everything else stands on it
kinara
the candle holder, for the ancestors
mishumaa saba
the seven candles: one black for the people, three red for their struggle, three green for the future
mazao
the crops, for the harvest and the rewards of shared work
muhindi
ears of maize, one for each child in the home
kikombe cha umoja
the unity cup, shared in honour of the ancestors
zawadi
gifts, often handmade or educational, mostly for children
Sources
- Official Kwanzaa Website (Organization Us, founder Dr Maulana Karenga): the Nguzo Saba and their English names, officialkwanzaawebsite.org
- The Canadian Encyclopedia, 'Kwanzaa' (thecanadianencyclopedia.ca)
- BlackPast.org, 'Kwanzaa (1966- )': the origin of the name in matunda ya kwanza
- Pronunciation hints and explanations written for Bhala from standard Kiswahili stress (second-to-last syllable); needs native check
Type it yourself
Writing this on your phone? Bhala suggests the next Kiswahili word as you type.
Free on Android. No ads.
More in Kiswahili
Spotted a mistake, or want to add an entry? Suggest a correction · All languages