Zenell Brown
Habari Gani! Habari Gani!
What’s the good news? What’s the good news?
I’m looking forward to celebrating Kwanzaa this year. In my desire to deepen my understanding of the holiday, I’ve read my Kwanzaa pamphlet from Momma Adjua and will be joining her evening calls from December 26 through December 31.
Kwanzaa sits beautifully alongside Christmas and the New Year—and I celebrate them all. Kwanzaa serves as a cultural reminder of my ancestral roots and grounds me in pride in being Black. Everyone should be proud of who they are and where they come from; cultural pride should be universal. My own pride continues to grow as I learn more about my African roots and the contributions of Black people in building this nation—especially in the areas of law and justice. I am a neophyte, using Google and ChatGPT to provide definitions. But Momma Adjua is my live teacher and guide.
Momma Adjua first visited Africa nearly 50 years ago. She deeply loves her Black heritage and her people and is committed to teaching the principles of Kwanzaa to her children and to her adopted nephews and nieces, myself included. Her goal is to ensure themes of love, unity, and community are far more than a few days on our calendars, but are a inherent part of who we are and how we live daily.
Each evening, Momma Adjua lights the kinara and explains the principle of the day. The kinara is similar to the menorah used during Hanukkah, though it holds seven candles instead of nine. The candles are black, red, and green, each chosen for its cultural significance. As the Official Kwanzaa website explains: “Black represents the people, red represents their struggle, and green represents the future and the hope that comes from that struggle.”
Lighting Order and Principles
• Day 1 (December 26): Light the black candle — Umoja (Unity)
• Day 2: Light the red candle closest to the black candle — Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Day 3: Light the green candle closest to the black candle — Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
• Day 4: Light the next red candle — Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
• Day 5: Light the next green candle — Nia (Purpose)
• Day 6: Light the next red candle — Kuumba (Creativity)
• Day 7: Light the final green candle — Imani (Faith)
These principles are commitments we make—individually and collectively—as we enter the new year.
Together, we will share what each principle means to us. We will reflect, play games like bingo, and listen to music. Gift-giving centers primarily on presence, as Kwanzaa emphasizes commitment over commercialism. I’ve made a small gift for our hostess, Momma Adjua—an ornament depicting a woman in contemplation.
What I carry into the New Year is a renewed sense of purpose and faith: faith that we can work together within our communities and across communities to build a society where all people have access to justice and opportunity.
“Haki siyo zawadi, ni wajibu.” Google translation: “Justice is not a gift; it is a duty.
What’s the good news? What’s the good news?
I’m looking forward to celebrating Kwanzaa this year. In my desire to deepen my understanding of the holiday, I’ve read my Kwanzaa pamphlet from Momma Adjua and will be joining her evening calls from December 26 through December 31.
Kwanzaa sits beautifully alongside Christmas and the New Year—and I celebrate them all. Kwanzaa serves as a cultural reminder of my ancestral roots and grounds me in pride in being Black. Everyone should be proud of who they are and where they come from; cultural pride should be universal. My own pride continues to grow as I learn more about my African roots and the contributions of Black people in building this nation—especially in the areas of law and justice. I am a neophyte, using Google and ChatGPT to provide definitions. But Momma Adjua is my live teacher and guide.
Momma Adjua first visited Africa nearly 50 years ago. She deeply loves her Black heritage and her people and is committed to teaching the principles of Kwanzaa to her children and to her adopted nephews and nieces, myself included. Her goal is to ensure themes of love, unity, and community are far more than a few days on our calendars, but are a inherent part of who we are and how we live daily.
Each evening, Momma Adjua lights the kinara and explains the principle of the day. The kinara is similar to the menorah used during Hanukkah, though it holds seven candles instead of nine. The candles are black, red, and green, each chosen for its cultural significance. As the Official Kwanzaa website explains: “Black represents the people, red represents their struggle, and green represents the future and the hope that comes from that struggle.”
Lighting Order and Principles
• Day 1 (December 26): Light the black candle — Umoja (Unity)
• Day 2: Light the red candle closest to the black candle — Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Day 3: Light the green candle closest to the black candle — Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
• Day 4: Light the next red candle — Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
• Day 5: Light the next green candle — Nia (Purpose)
• Day 6: Light the next red candle — Kuumba (Creativity)
• Day 7: Light the final green candle — Imani (Faith)
These principles are commitments we make—individually and collectively—as we enter the new year.
Together, we will share what each principle means to us. We will reflect, play games like bingo, and listen to music. Gift-giving centers primarily on presence, as Kwanzaa emphasizes commitment over commercialism. I’ve made a small gift for our hostess, Momma Adjua—an ornament depicting a woman in contemplation.
What I carry into the New Year is a renewed sense of purpose and faith: faith that we can work together within our communities and across communities to build a society where all people have access to justice and opportunity.
“Haki siyo zawadi, ni wajibu.” Google translation: “Justice is not a gift; it is a duty.
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