The Celebration of Kwanzaa – Day 4: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)

On this the fourth and middle day of Kwanzaa, we celebrate, Umjaa or Cooperative Economics.

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.

On this the fourth and middle day of Kwanzaa, we celebrate , Cooperative Economics. Ujamaa means to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

In Swahili, ujamaa, the fourth of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, means extended family. Family goes way beyond blood. The understanding of being there for one another and supporting one another. For example, supporting your local black-owned business, or buying that new black owned magazine, supporting ventures, and etc.