The first principle of Kwanzaa, meaning unity, is Umoja. It calls for people to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
Umoja is the first of Kwanzaa’s Nguzo Saba, or Seven Principles. Each principle is associated with one day of the annual celebration, which runs from December 26 through January 1. The principles are expressed in Swahili and form the ethical framework of Kwanzaa, emphasizing collective identity, responsibility, creativity, purpose, and faith.
Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966 as an African-American cultural holiday. During celebrations, families may light candles in a kinara, discuss the principle of the day, share food, and honor African heritage. Umoja is commonly confused with Ujima, which means collective work and responsibility, or Nia, which means purpose. Those are separate principles, while Umoja specifically names unity.