The Celebration of Kwanzaa: The First Day – Umoja (Unity)

The first day is Umoja (Unity). Umoja means : To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration honoring African, African American heritage and culture.

As African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by millions throughout the world African community, Kwanzaa brings a cultural message which speaks to the best of what it means to be African and human in the fullest sense.

Kwanzaa celebrates what its founder called the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba (originally Nguzu Saba—the seven principles of African Heritage).

These seven principles comprise a Swahili term for tradition and reason.

Unity is the first day as you come together to celebrate your unity as a family.

The focus of this first day of Kwanzaa is the celebration of the start of Kwanzaa, with a focus on celebrating unity, i.e., the harmonizing relationships in the family.

The African proverb says, “The success or ruin of a people begins in the family.”

This day is to focus on making families stronger, nurturing, and productive.  The day starts with activities the moves into an inter-gathering meeting, reflecting on Kwanzaa commitments,  Unity Cup Activity, family feast, and unity commitment journal entry.

During the candle lighting ceremony the family lights the black candle.  This candle is symbolic of the black people.

The placement and order of the Kwanzaa candles teach and reinforce valuable lessons for the family.

Lastly, you record your commitments in a journal.