Dagi knot
December 26 is the first day of Kwanzaa or Umoja, meaning Unity in Swahili.
Kwanzaa was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966.
Umoja is the foundational principle of the Nguzo Saba (seven principles); without it, all other principles suffer. Kwanzaa is a unique African American celebration focused on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement.
Despite some misconceptions, Kwanzaa is neither political nor religious nor a substitute for Christmas. Unity is a cardinal virtue of classic and general African societies.
Here, it is focused on family, generation, community, and Pan-African Umoja. For the next six days, until January 1, each virtue will be described in African American Registry®.
Kwanzaa: A celebration of family, community, and culture
by Maulana Karenga,
University of Sankore Press, Los Angeles
Copyright 1998, by Malulana Karenga
ISBN 0-943412-21-8
