Culture
The Celebration of Kwanzaa : Day 3 – UJIMA (Collective Work & Responsibility)
The third day is UJIMA which means Collective Work & Responsibility. Today we renew our efforts to build and maintain our community, while working with others to solve our problems.
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 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.
The third day is UJIMA which means Collective Work & Responsibility.
On this day we renew our efforts to build and maintain our community, while working with others to solve our problems.
In traditional Africa, the Caribbean, and the South, when farmers work together to clear the land, and bring in each other’s crops, they demonstrate Ujima. When immigrants form small, tight-knit groups for circulating money called “partners” or “boxhand” or “susu” or “ekub,” they exhibit Ujima too.
When friends are moving, and you and the others all pitch in to help them move – and at the end of the day, sit down together to a huge home-cooked meal – that is Ujima, Collective Work and Responsibility. When students in class work together on a project, or help each other with their assignments, the spirit of Ujima is also there.
My family lives by this everyday as we work as a unit. Unity as a family is important to progress in life.
It is all about collective Work and Responsibility! Yes we are all individuals, who need to posses individualism. But we are also a people, a community, a whole, living thing that moves as one. So Ujima!!
On the third day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, and then the farthest right green candle.
Happy Kwanzaa!
Source: The African Experience
----------------------------------------------------------
Connect with Unheard Voices on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube
Download the app on Google Play or ITunes.
----------------------------------------------------------
Unheard Voices Magazine is a news reporting platform covered under Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research.
-
Health & Wellness4 weeks ago
Amber Nicole Thurman died from delayed care due to Georgia’s abortion laws, says family
-
Culture3 weeks ago
New Wu-Tang Clan concert film returns to Wilmington before PBS release
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
‘OWN For the Holidays’ returns for its sixth year with three original movies for a festive 2024 season
-
Culture4 weeks ago
3 Chambers Fest celebrates the fusion of hip-hop, martial arts, and anime culture
-
Politics4 weeks ago
Lil Scrappy, Big Freedia, Mia X, Cookie Nasty, and more artists partner with Hip Hop Caucus for a Political Rap Cypher
-
Entertainment4 weeks ago
CHURCHY series starring Kevin “KevOnStage” Fredericks renewed for a second season
-
Culture3 weeks ago
Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts (BOPA) is accepting submissions for 2025 Janet & Walter Sondheim Art Prize and Creative Baltimore Fund grant program
-
Culture1 week ago
Hip Hop Caucus Highlights Success of 2024 Respect my Vote! Campaign