7 Principles of Life:
African and African American Perspective

Understanding one's own culture often requires seeing it through different eyes, from different perspectives. The Nguzo Saba, Seven Principles for Life, offers a Pan-African and African American perspective which reflects our culture and can guide our vision for who we are.

These principles are associated with Kwanzaa, a celebration of family, community and culture which has its roots in African values. The official Kwanzaa web site http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/ explains that the Nguzo Saba would have us "standing worthy before our people and in the world."

The Nguzo Saba is an ancient and living cultural tradition which is said to reflect the best of African thought and practice in several ways:

• its reaffirmation of the dignity of the human person in community and culture


• the well-being of family and community


• the integrity of the environment and our kinship with it


• The rich resource and melianing of a people's culture

The Swahili words reflect key concepts which can apply to any culture. But you are encouraged to know those concepts in their original, authentic form. To help you see how each community reflects these principles, ask the following questions.

Put a + in the blank if the trend in this community is improving.
Put a 0 if things are neutral and not changing much
Put a - if the trend is declining; things are getting worse.

Umoja (Unity)
To what extent do families (however families may be defined) support and protect each other?
Is there a sense of unity in the community?
How important are different racial or ethnic roots, and how do those differences help or hurt community unity?

Kujichagulia (Self Determination)
To what extent do the people who live here describe themselves as "us" and "we" rather than "them" and just "people?"
Do people tend to identify a common sense of belonging?
Resist or reject having decisions imposed on them which they do not agree with?
Are there effective ways for children, youth and adults, women and men to express their opinions and make decisions which affect the community?

Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
To what extent do people work together to build and maintain the community?
Do people tend to see their neighbors', their brothers' and sisters' well being as their own, and address problems and opportunities together?

Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
To what extent do people in this community build and maintain their own businesses, services and products?
Do people tend to shop locally and keep community resources flowing in the community rather than going outside it?
Do most people tend to share the benefits and profits of the local economy?

Nia (Purpose)
To what extent do people agree or share consensus about the community vision, common commitments and goals?
Does a sense of common purpose tend to overshadow conflicts that are open or hidden?

Kuumba (Creativity)
To what extent do people show they want to make this place more beautiful and beneficial than when they inherited it?
Do people tend to display the arts and crafts that help shape their identity?
Imani (Faith) To what extent do people believe in themselves-their ability to do the right thing and accomplish what is good for the community and its members?
Do spiritual values or religious practices tend to affect the way people do things?