[ha-BAR-ee GAH-nee]

Habari Gani !?

what’s the news !?

A Swahili term meaning “What is the news?” It is spoken when greeting others during Kwanzaa. The response is to say the name of one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, called

Nguzo Saba (en·goo·zo sah·bah)

Over the seven days, we will learn about and practice these principles.

CELEBRATE KWANZAA WITH BLACK SCRANTON

✊🏿♥️🖤💚⚡️

KWANZAA takes place each year from December 26th through January 1st. Kwanzaa is a holiday of sevens: seven days, seven letters in Kwanzaa, seven candles in the kinara, or candleholder, and the seven principles pulled from African tradition that is a central part of the celebration.

Each day, one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, called Nguzo Saba (en·goo·zo sah·bah), is celebrated: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).

The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase, matunda ya kwanzaa, meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” Takes inspiration from the start of the harvest season in Africa, when the first crops are gathered.

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Each day, Black Scranton will be, celebrating Kwanzaa virtual and sharing fun and exciting ways to celebrate with your family.

Let’s cultivate cultural identity, community connection, and shared faith. Kwanzaa means even more as the hard work of social justice continues.

KUJICHAGULIA | self determination (koo·jee·cha·goo·lee·ah)

The second principle of Kwanzaa KUJICHAGULIA reminds us to think about how we celebrate our culture and independently use our resources to self-determine our future.

KUJICHAGULIA comes from the Swahili word CHAGUA, meaning “choose.” Chaga can also mean to elect or select. Maulana Karenga, the creator of this joyous holiday, insisted that we must “define and speak for ourselves instead of always being defined and spoken for by others.”

December 27

We light the red candle for Kujichagulia, symbolizing the fight to persevere as we work hard to overcome discrimination and adversity in our day-to-day lives. It also symbolizes our determination to take control of our future. Yesterday we made paper kente clothes with the children who joined us for our storytime and activity hour. It was the physical act of weaving the paper strips that felt like we were manifesting a new thread into the cultural fabric of our city.

#BlackScranton is really something beautiful.