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.
PRINCIPLE 6. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
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.”
Instruction: Explain and discuss how practice of this Kwanzaa value can help you attain your highest potential.
To stumble is not to fall, but to go forward faster.
Explanation: Mistakes are a part of the learning and creative process. If you learned from your mistakes, you will achieve at a faster pace.
AN OLD MAN AND A BOY
A long time ago, there was a land called “Wells,” because it had a lot of water wells. People and animals drank water from the wells. But, during the dry season, the water level was always low because of lack of rains
One day, an old man found a boy sitting next to a well and asked him, “What are you waiting for while sitting next to the well?”
They boy answered, “I am waiting for the well to be full of water so that I can drink from it.”
The old man then told him, “Child, if you don’t kneel down to drink, you will only drink when the rains come.”
Moral of the Story: One can be in the midst of wealthy resources, but unless he or she realizes what it takes to enjoy those resources he or she is at the mercy of nature. The greatest resource one has, that which enables one to enjoy life and fulfillment, is within oneself. Yes, those talents, gifts, and experiences are our wells. All we need to do is kneel, do something about our unique combination of natural and acquired gifts, and “drink” the fortunes within our reach.
Swahili of East Africa Riddle:
What things always chase each other but never overtake one another?
Answer: The wheels of a vehicle.
The contributions of blacks in the field of science have been a missing chapter in the narrative of America’s scientific and technological advancement. From the beginning, African Americans were part of America’s scientific endeavors: Benjamin Banneker produced the blueprint for Washington DC; Norbert Rillieau, chemical engineer, revolutionized the sugar industry by building a refining system; Elijah McCoy whose name became synonymous with high-quality (The Real McCoy) patented more than fifty inventions used by the railroad companies; Grandville T. Woods, invented the trolley car system and helped invent the light bulb, telegraph and telephone systems; Lewis Latimer produced the drawing for the telephone and wrote the world’s first book on electric lighting; Jan Matzeliger, revolutionized the shoe industry with the invention of the shoe lasting machine, and Garrett Morgan invented the gas mask and traffic signal. The conditions under which blacks created and invented helps to better appreciate the contributions of African American to science and the advancement of America.
Instruction: Question and Answer
Discuss the role that African Americans played in the scientific revolution of America. What lessons can be learned from these scientists. How was the intentions and of these scientist an expression of the principle Creativity.
Learning Opportunity: Kwanzaa Symbol
This symbol represents the rewards that come from creative and productive work. Children are the primary recipient of gifts. They are given gifts for the commitments made and kept (the things they have done to further their family or community development, i.e., school performance and that of the family and neighborhood. Children learn that rewards are earned, that they are not entitled to the good things of life. Rather, they learn through the practice of Kwanzaa that they must work, sacrifice, and achieve in order to earn the rewards that come from an achieved life.
Candle Lighting: On the sixth day of Kwanzaa the family or classroom students light the next red candle.
Family- The principle creativity demands that we continuously work at making our families better. Select a projects, task or everyday chores that you will do that will have an additive value to your family. This may include making your yard more beautiful or a particular room.
School- For parents and teachers, this principle can be instructive and an aid to improved academic and school performance. Students as well as teachers should always strive to improve, not even being satisfied with an “A” grade, knowing that there is still room for improvement. Identify a subject or school task which you will enhance during the course of the year or semester.
Community- Leaving our communities more beautiful and beneficial that when we first arrive is fundamental to a thriving community. Identify with your family or community members what you will do to continuously improve your community.
Creativity Kwanzaa Commitment: Each family member or student declares opening declares what services he/she will do to continuously improve a task or activity at home, school or in the community.