Wiki History: Kwanzaa Day One (Umoja)

Kwanzaa Day One: Unity

Heri za Kwanzaa! (Happy Kwanzaa in Swahili)

Habari Gani! (a Swahili greeting that we use during the 7-days of Kwanzaa)

Welcome back to robinlofton.com! Today, we begin to learn about the celebration of Kwanzaa. As we learned in the last podcast, which was a basic introduction, Kwanzaa is a 7-day celebration of the “first fruits of harvest.” It is a holiday that was created in 1966 by Dr. Ron Karenga to encourage African Americans and Blacks around the world to reconnect with their African roots, traditions, and customs. In fact, each day of Kwanzaa, which officially begins on December 26, focuses on a particular principle, and has customs and rituals associated with it.

So, why did I say Habari Gani? Because it is the pan-Africanist greeting (in Swahili) used during the Kwanzaa celebration. The response is the Swahili word that represents the principle for the day, which for today is Umoja. So, I say again: Habari Gani:

Let’s begin at the beginning: Kwanzaa Day One:

The Principle of Unity

On the first day of Kwanzaa, we focus on Unity or Umoja. (Remember in the introduction to Kwanzaa podcast, I used the English names for each principle but I said that, in these podcasts I would also use the Swahili names.) So, that was the Swahili word that I used for Unity. Umoja.

Umoja is the first and foundational principle of Kwanzaa. It is the most basic principal of the celebration, tradition and custom. But just because it is the most basic that does not mean that it is simple or easy. It is the foundation upon which the other six principles are built. If umoja is not understood and followed, then all the other principles and practices will suffer. In other words, if there is no unity, then the other principles of self-determination, collective work and responsibility, faith and so on can not be realized.

What is meant by umoja (or unity)?

This is a good question and one whose concept should not be assumed or underrated.

Unity (or umoja) is both the principle AND the practice of togetherness and harmony. Both parts are necessary: (1) togetherness and (2) harmony. One without the other is not umoja. In fact, we could even call umoja: harmonious togetherness. You might have noticed that I said umoja is both principle and practice. That’s a great observation and a very very important one. Understanding the principle of umoja (unity) is essential but it is not the end of the story. One must also take steps to practice umoja—to practice harmonious togetherness.

You know, I see so many people—especially around the holidays—feeling dread, frustration, or even fear about meeting with their families. Or feeling anxiety while waiting for their families to arrive to spend the holidays with them. And then families get together but argue, bicker, clash, and criticize over big and small issues and events past and current. That is not Umoja. Yes, they are together. But they are together in an inharmonious environment. Sadly, many people believe that this is the natural way for families to interact even around the holidays. But Kwanzaa takes a different approach: Umoja underlies all the meetings, interactions, and customs. Harmony is essential and accepted. Harmony is the natural way.

The principle of umoja has family as the focal point but it is more. First, let me emphasize that the family is not just the nuclear family but is actually includes the extended family—cousins, aunts, uncles, and different generations like grandparents and great grandparents. Umoja also includes—and this is really interesting—the ancestors. Those who have come and gone (or lived and died) before us, but were and still are a part of our family, a part of our history. This is a concept that is very entrenched in African culture but has been largely forgotten in many western cultures. But our ancestors have played an important role in who were and who we are. The practice of Umoja encourages us to include, remember, and honor them.

Beyond the extended family, Umoja also applies in an even larger sense to society. It encourages building together, struggling together, acting together, maintaining together—all for mutual benefit. Unity connects villages, towns, countries, and can even extend to the entire human family. It is an awareness of similarity (and sameness) that gives an identity as a people.

So, I think that you get the concept of Umoja: Togetherness and Harmony. But “getting it” is only the first step. Remember practice is essential.

Speaking of practice, let’s get back to the practice of Umoja in the celebration of Kwanzaa:

What to do? Gifts, candles, colors

Remember, I mentioned a communal cup in the first podcast on Kwanzaa. Now is your time to bring it out if you haven’t already done so.

The Unity or Umoja cup is called the Kikombe Cha Cup. It represents gravity that pulls...