Happy Kwanzaa - Day 1 Umoja

Today is the first day of our seven day celebration. We encourage you to celebrate with Kwanzaa this week. We are excited to celebrate our heritage and our culture. 

Our first principal of the week is Umoja.

Umoja is the Swahili word for "unity".

Umoja - (Unity)
To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

Today we light the black candle on the kinara. While lighting this candle think of ways to continue to strive for unity, oneness with your family and community. It's important to talk with your family and to teach them the importance of working together.

Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable.
~ Bondei proverb