DENVER — Each day during Kwanzaa, a special principle is celebrated and honored. The week-long holiday began on Dec. 26 and goes through Jan. 1.
On Thursday, the third day of Kwanzaa, the principle is Ujima (oo-JEE-mah) meaning collective work and responsibility.
"Let’s say you get up sometime and you’re not feeling yourself and you know that you’re responsible for yourself, well a good way to get started is to go donate or go volunteer," said Jawana Norris, who's been presenting Kwanzaa at the Denver libraries since 2005. "Give charity to someone else, it helps you discover not only your purpose in life, but Ujima, collective work and responsibility."
Norris said the other principles include Umoja (oo-MOE-jah) which means unity, Kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah) meaning self-determination, Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) meaning cooperative economics, Nia (nee-AH) meaning purpose, Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) meaning creativity, and Imani (faith).
The Denver Public Library is hosting events all week, to celebrate Kwanzaa:
Thursday, Dec. 28, 12-1 p.m.
Blair-Caldwell Branch Library
Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) - To build and maintain our community together and to make our brother's and sister's problems, our problems and to solve them together.
Friday, Dec. 29, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Park Hill Branch Library
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) - To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them.
Saturday, Dec. 30, 2-3 p.m.
Green Valley Ranch Branch Library
Nia (Purpose) - To make as our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
Kuumba (Creativity) - To always do as much as we can, in the way that we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful than when we inherited it.
Norris said everyone is invited to attend these free events.
"They’re going to certainly learn about themselves. They’re going to learn a little bit about Kwanzaa," said Norris. "The most important are the principles and we want to share our culture."
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