Kwanzaa: Collective Economics | Purpose

Ujamaa 

(oo-jah-MAH): 

Collective economics

To build, maintain, and support our own stores, establishments, and businesses.

"To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness."

Ujamaa is about building a strengthening and controlling of the economics of our community. Sharing the wealth is another form of Ujamma. Respecting the wealth is appreciated and valued rather than exploiting and engaging in the should be rejected for the good of the community.

Nia 

(NEE-ah) 

Purpose

To restore African American people to their traditional greatness. 

To be responsible to Those Who Came Before (our ancestors) and to Those Who Will Follow (our descendants).

All people who are concerned with reaffirming family, community, and culture is essentially the purpose of human life is bring good into the world. It is identity is what overall matters. "Nia suggests that personal and social purpose are not only non-antagonistic but complementary in the true communitarian sense of the word." Commitment to the purpose not only benefits the collective as a whole gives meaning to individuals and isolates the pursuits. "Thus, [W.E.B.] Du Bois' stress on education for social contribution and rejection of vulgar careerism rooted in the lone and passionate pursuit of money is especially relevant."

Today's Symbol term to go with this Principle is: 

Kinara 

The Candle Holder

This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people -- continental Africans.

Zawadi 

The Gifts

These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.