Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday that celebrates African American heritage and culture. It is observed from December 26th to January 1st, and each day of the holiday is dedicated to one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. These principles are meant to promote and reinforce African culture and community values among African Americans. Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, an African American professor of Africana Studies, to bring African Americans together and celebrate their heritage and culture.

To encourage acceptance and appreciation, the Heersink School of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion (Heersink ODI) spoke to first-year medical student Bria Gamble about how she and her family celebrate Kwanzaa each year.

Gamble sets the scene, “There are seven days of Kwanzaa, and each day is for a certain principal. So, based on whatever the principle is, we'll pick a way to discuss it. And each day, we light one of the candles for each principal. So, by the end of Kwanzaa, you have all seven candles lit. Imagine a table or presentation like in the photo above, it would have candles on it and maybe some different books or other family memorabilia or other things that you feel honor your family and represent the principles of Kwanzaa. When we were younger, my dad would give us a small gift that fits with learning about Black history.”

How this way of celebrating came about:

The Gamble family’s way of celebrating at this time of year started with Gamble’s father, Dr. Brandon Gamble. Gamble explains, “My dad has a lot of different things that he's picked up over the years, and he previously worked with the person [Maulana Karenga] who founded the celebration. So that’s how we started doing it, ever since I was a kid. My dad would lead the celebration for our immediate family, and my maternal grandmother also shared ideas for celebrating.”

Highlighting each principle in creative ways:

Gamble highlights how celebrating Kwanzaa looks different every year, “For example, one of the principles is creativity. So, on that day, we usually do something to talk about it, to discuss it. People can take that time to show their creativity through art, dance, or even—like my sister—write music. In my grandfather’s case, he does water coloring.”

“Everybody can have different days that they choose to present. One year I did a public health spotlight discussing the importance of sunscreen care in the Black community. And each person will have something to say or add if they want to share it. I think it was an excellent way for them to learn something new that they might not know. “

Wider celebrations:

“Some years, especially in those before COVID, we would have an event at a church to celebrate the history of the holiday and the community of Black people. We would discuss all the things [themes] that we've been through and have a summary of all seven principles at one time. These events brought in people who wanted to learn more about Kwanzaa or might not have a traditional way of celebrating it at home.”

A stand-out Kwanzaa memory:

Gamble remembered joyfully, “My dad taught us a song that you can sing that helps you remember all the principles. I feel like that one's sweet because he gets excited. I remember the happiness; his joy was contagious, just like in the photo above.”

Gamble, whose middle name is Imani—one of the 7 days of Kwanzaa–was kind enough to share that song with us:

Kwanzaa Song

Song Leader— I said Umoja means Unity
All - Umoja means Unity
Song Leader - Kugichagulia, means self-determination
All - Kugichagulia, means self-determination
Song Leader - I said, Ujima , means collective work and responsibility.
All - Ujima , means collective work and responsibility.
Song Leader - Ujimaa, means cooperative economics.
All - Ujimaa, means cooperative economics.
Song Leader - I said Nia, means purpose.
All - Nia, means purpose.
Song Leader - I said Kuumba, means creativity.
Song Leader: I said Imani, I said, Imani means, faith in you, faith in me, faith in all our people.
All - Imani means, faith in you, faith in me, faith in all our people.
Song Leader - Umoja!
All - Umoja!
Song Leader - Kugichagulia!
All - Kugichagulia!
Song Leader - Ujima!
All - Ujima!
Song Leader - Ujimaa!
All - Ujimaa!
Song Leader - Nia!
All - Nia!
Song Leader - Kuumba!
All - Kuumba!
Song Leader - Imani!
All - IMANI!