The Relevance of Kwanzaa and Application of the Nguzo Saba in Our Daily Lives

       Political activists, community organizers, educators, and artists who have celebrated Kwanzaa for decades were asked to reflect on the holiday and the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) and respond to a couple of questions. Each was asked "Why is Kwanzaa still relevant?" and "How do you incorporate the Nguzo Saba into your daily life?"  Below are some of their responses. 

Dr. Nubia Kai Salaam

Assistant Professor, Howard University, Department of Theatre Arts

     Kwanzaa is still relevant. It's growing, and not just here in the states. There are celebrations in the Caribbean and in parts of Africa. The principles are relevant to our struggle here in America because we are still an oppressed people. We are still divided and lack self-knowledge. There is a need to come together as family and community, to remember our ancestors, heroes and sheroes, and to be inspired by their example. We have to do that through the principles of Kwanzaa. They have been a beacon of light for us and provide a foundation for us today.

     Historically, Black people have endured a daily dose of racism, insults, and abuse, and have continued to strive for social justice. As a Pan-Africanist, I still have the ambition of seeing our people free and independent. I feel we should still strive for an independent nation, and I believe it's possible because anything is possible. I work toward that goal and exhibit self-determination (Kujichagulia) through my political philosophy and activism.  In choosing to work in a black institution with black students, I exhibit collective work and responsibility (Ujima). I work with my colleagues and various departments and organizations to mentor students. All of us take the responsibility of the students' development to heart.

      

     In terms of cooperative economics (Ujamaa), I make contributions to black organizations, families, and community members when they are in need. I make in-kind contributions through my work with various organizations. Through my daily work in the Department of Theatre Arts, I'm involved in the arts, which reflects Kuumba (Creativity). When ideas are transmitted in various creative and aesthetic forms such as poetry, music, writing, or drama, it becomes more transformative. Ancient Africans say teach concepts in rhythm. Conveying  our history and heritage through the arts taps into the natural creativity of Black people.

Dr. Ahmad Rahman

Associate Professor of History, Director of African and African-American Studies, University of Michigan, Dearborn

     Some people are having issue with celebrating Kwanzaa because of allegations against Maulana Karenga that date back to a conflict between Karenga's organization and the Panthers. Many of the allegations against him are not true, and resulted from the Cointelpro program under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover that was designed to disrupt black organizations and turn them against each other.

     Kwanzaa is beyond Karenga. We are not worshiping or honoring Karenga when we celebrate Kwanzaa, and he never asked for that. The celebration is about the principles of Kwanzaa and what it means to us as a people. Kwanzaa is relevant to our history and culture, and it counters the insane consumerism that plagues us.

     Those of us who have been part of The Movement incorporate the Nguzo Saba into our lives everyday day. If you studied Queen Mother Moore, Garvey, Nkrumah and others, you live the Nguzo Saba. The Nguzo Saba incorporates their schools of thought into a codified ideology that everyone can easily understand. I am a history and social studies consultant for Detroit public schools. I'm part of an organization that serves thousands of youth. Though those efforts, on a daily basis, I work collectively with people on my job, and I work collectively with people in various organizations to develop ways to uplift Black people.

Mama Imani Humphrey
Founder, Director
Aisha Shule/W.E.B. DuBois Preparatory Academy

     Kwanzaa is still relevant. There is such strife and violence in the black community, and such a lack of knowledge and understanding of our history and heritage. When we tune our thoughts to Kwanzaa for seven days, there is hopefully a lasting residual affect that carries over into the days and months beyond Kwanzaa, and into various aspects of our lives.

     I've been celebrating Kwanzaa since 1979, and each year, the Nguzo Saba becomes more ingrained. I define myself as an African person and have an African name. Those are aspects of being self-determined. I give my brothers and sisters a great deal of respect as a result of practicing the Nguzo Saba, and I receive it in return. I try to set a positive example of what it means to be an African person in the world. I tell our story and work at instilling pride in our people. I don't deal with vulgar and violent language and behavior, and I only deal with people who are willing to work with those who are tolerant and accepting of others. Practicing the Nguzo Saba has regulated my behavior.

  

Atiba Sanyika

Tailor, Fashion Designer, Sanyika International 

I've been celebrating Kwanzaa since 1973. It is still relevant, though it is evolving. When I first started celebrating Kwanzaa, it was observed mostly by families. Now it's celebrated by large institutions in various cities around the country, and some of them use it as a vehicle to bring people into their institutions. I don't see it being celebrated in homes around the country on the same level as Christmas. It serves as an alternative to Christmas for some people, but some people celebrate both. Perhaps if more people celebrated Kwanzaa, more of them would be trying to do things for our people.

    Kwanzaa is mixed in with other holidays now, and included in mass media such as the news. When people say "happy holidays," they're including Kwanzaa, and that's a good thing. It probably has not evolved as we had expected, but that simply means we have to adjust our mindset.  

     Practicing the Nguzo Saba is part of my DNA. As a team leader on my job, I incorporate Umoja and Kujichagulia (Unity, Collective Work and Responsibility) into my daily life, although many people are not attuned to that. I work with people of various ethnic backgrounds, not just black people. I try to build positive relationships.  I encourage people not to speak ill of each other, and to work collectively. I'm sometimes the lone voice encouraging people to support each other, but I continue to do it.

     I still hold onto my dreams and I have high hopes of Black people becoming economically strong and independent on a national and international level. Although it looks bleak right now, I keep the faith (Imani) that this will happen.

Malik Yakini                       

Executive Director, Detroit Black Community Food Security Network

Co-founder Nsoroma Institute, African Centered Chartered School 

      Kwanzaa is still relevant because it's a continued effort of People of African descent in America to be self-defining. One of the crisis that we are continually faced with is identity and culture. Kwanzaa encourages us to continue to identify with  African culture and the values that provide its undergirding.  

     All my adult life, I have attempted to construct a lifestyle that has been focused on the liberation of African people. In all the activities in which I'm involved, the principles of the Nguzo Saba inform my efforts. My main activity right now is encouraging African people to grow food, and to control the food systems that impact our lives. The principle of Kujichagula (Self-Determina-tion) strongly influences that work.

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    To quote an ancient parable, "To whom much is given, much is expected." For those of us who have knowledge of and understand the intent and power of Kwanzaa and the Nguzo Saba, it is incumbent upon us to set a daily example of what it means to live by the principles.  This does not mean we have to be dogmatic, condescending, or intolerant. It means that we use our gifts to work to uplift our families and our communities, and through that work, we make the world a better place for everyone.

-Titilayo Akanke