Counting The Days of Kwanzaa: Honoring the Principles

This was first published on  December 26, 2018 and still relevant today. 

The first principle of Kwanzaa is Umoja: Unity

Kwanzaa is that holiday we talk about a lot but tend to forget to celebrate enough.  In the mad rush to celebrate the week between Christmas and New Years, this holiday gets pushed to the side with a greeting of Happy Kwanzaa or if we are more enlightened with the question, Habari gani? But there are a lot of reasons to recognize this holiday. First of all celebrations are always great fun. Especially a holiday that brings us together to celebrate our culture and heritage. The end of the year is a good time to connect to our values and principles as a family and a nation. Especially after a year when our moral judgement has been challenged.  Think of Kwanzaa as that special time each year that gives us a fresh new look into who we are as a people. This year's theme is ““Kwanzaa and the WellBeing of the World: Living and Uplifting the Seven Principles.” At a time when principles and integrity have been pushed aside, The Nguzo Saba: The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa reminds us that everyone should live by principles every day. Our goal should always be to leave the world a better place.

For seven days Maple Sugar Child wants to help you stay ahead of the holiday week so that you can celebrate Kwanzaa. Enjoy our culture, history, philosophy, art and music. Each day we will share an inspirational story or message to remind you that this holiday is special.