Day 6: Kuumba (Creativity) Koo-Om-Bah

PRINCIPLE 6:  CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT


Kwanzaa is now observed as a national holiday by countless people in homes schools and public and private institutions across the United States.  Like African American History Month, Kwanzaa is a part of the cultural fabric of America and is a special time for African Americans to celebrate the joys of family and community, to African their humanity, to take inventory of what they have accomplished, beginning with the family and extending to the national African American community, and to recommit themselves to practicing the guiding principles of family and community- the Seven Principles.
 
KUUMBA (KOO-M-BAH) CREATIVITY:  To do always as much as we can in the way we can in order to leave our family and community more beautiful and beneficial than when we inherited it.


The sixth principle of the Nguzo Saba relates to building and developing our creative potential. It involves both aesthetic and material creations. It is essential that creativity be encouraged in all aspects of African American culture. It is through new ideas that we achieve higher levels of living and a greater appreciation for life. Each family member should find creative things to do throughout the year that will enhance the family as a whole. On this day, poetry reading, songfests, dance exhibitions and the like, can aid in promoting the importance of Kuumba.


The Kuumba principle demands continuous improvement both at the personal and family level. This principle pushes families and communities, adults and youth, not to be satisfied with “just getting by”, with not being satisfied with being average or even above average. George Washington Carver, acclaimed scientist, teaches us all that: “No one has a right to come in to the world without leaving behind a distinct and legitimate reason for having passed though it.”

When celebrating this day, explain and discuss how practice of this Kwanzaa value can help you attain your highest potential.

 Proverb - To stumble is not to fall but to go forward faster.

HARAMBEE!

 http://kwanzaaguide.wordpress.com/2009/12/31/sixth-day-of-kwanzaa-kuumbacreativity/

Day 3: Ujima - Collective Work & Responsibility

Habari Gani? Ujima (collective work and responsibility) U-JI-MA - to build and maintain our community together and make our sister's and brother's problems our problems and to solve them together.

The third principle of the Nguzo Saba is a commitment to active and informed togetherness on a subject of common interest. It also recognizes the need for collective work and struggle without which progress is impossible and liberation unthinkable.

Akoma ntoaso-the Adinkra (picture) is a symbol of shared effort and obligation. Ujima focuses on African freedom as indivisible, active cooperation, and the challenge of culture and history.

Harambee!