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FURAHA YA KWANZAA 2024!Habari gani? *UJIMA*...habari gani!
The 3rd principle (and day of celebration) of the Nguzo Saba or 7 principles (and, therefore, seven days of Kwanzaa) is the principle *COLLECTIVE WORK & RESPONSIBILITY* = UJIMA (Kiswahili)
In our Sankɔfa Gatherings honorary Ghanaian cultural equivalent, we use the phrase *BOA ME NA ME MMOA WO* (from, "Benkum dware nifa na nifa so dware benkum" or "Woamma wo yɔnko antwa nkron a, wonnya edu ntwa"), meaning 'Help me and let me help you'--cooperation & interdependence--an equivalent of *Ujima* in Ghanaian Twi (see picture of Adinkra symbol above)
However, there's another more popular Adinkra symbol is used to signify the principle 'Ujima'...*AKOMA NTOASO*, literally, *THE JOINED or UNITED HEARTS*, from the expression, "Obi dɔ wo a, dɔ no bi" or "Akoma ntoasoɔ ne ɔdɔ, anidie, ne nteaseɛ"; it's a symbol of agreement, togetherness and unity (in thought and in deed) or a charter; linked hearts (see the 'Ujima' picture above)
In the spirit of *UMOJA* = UNITY, Ujima (and Ujamaa--the next principle) is rooted in Umoja, or, as we embrace in Sankɔfa Gatherings, the biblical ethic, *KOINONIA* (see Acts 2:42-46 and 4:32-36) The essential meaning of koinonia embraces concepts conveyed in English terms, community, communion, joint participation, sharing and intimacy. Koinonia can therefore refer in some contexts to a jointly contributed gift.
The Sankɔfa Gatherings family, our extended family, friends & supporters/sympathizers for our biblical vision and Christian ethic recognize and observe the 'NGUZO SABA' (Seven Principles) of Kwanzaa as Afro-Redemptive vernacular ways of essentially saying what the authority of biblical scriptures--the 'Shajeh' or, the Word of God known as the Bible--has always been teaching. Here, our faith in Christ and our African cultural heritage agree!
Those of us in Sankɔfa Gatherings who are Afrikans in 'Yeshua' (Jesus) and are led by His 'Seuartu Ngiss' (Holy Spirit) we recognize such human ethical principles as having their ultimate origin in the mind and heart of the Creator-Sustainer, Redeemer-Restorer, Living 'God' ('Tilli'=Ge'ez/Ethiopian; 'Nouda'=Coptic/Egyptian) who is generally-revealed in-common throughout the entire Cosmos and who is distinctly/specifically/specially-revealed--to anyone with a sincere-seeking heart--in the person and work of the eternal & historical Y'shua who is also 'HaMashiach' (Anointed One or Messiah better known as Christ).
These redemptive, divinely-inspired cultural norms we, in Afro-Reclamationist vernacular, known as the 'Nguzo Saba' (Seven Principles in Kiswahili) are creationally-intended from the beginning of human existence on the African Continent and are redeemed by HaMashiach (the Christ) for all righteousness-seeking hearts to be lived first, spiritually, from the inside-out (not merely as 'cultural norms', put on and taken off like a garment) among every cultural/people-group or 'nation' on Earth. These 'principles' are foundational spirituality norms found in God's ancient mandates in scripture, now redeemed and codified within the teachings of the 'Bisrat' (Gospel) of Y'shua (Jesus)
The Afrikan people(s) lead the way among cultural 'nations' of the world in calling ourselves, our people(s), to genuine, authentic embodiment of these seven principles. Perhaps, arguably, no people are most acutely, most prophetically poised and positioned by history and by spirituality to best comprehend and embody true integrity these seven principles require of its adherants than us, Afrikans in Y'shua, because these principles are both the cornerstone of our African cultural heritage AND are orthodoxically-foundational to the spiritual discipline and obedience, to the devotion and lifestyle lived unto our Living God--a truthful, culturally-contextual reflection of the ways of 'Y'shua HaMashiach' (the actual Afro-Asiatic/Semitic/Hebrew name/title of Jesus the Christ)
Ultimately, we find no essential conflict between our African cultural 'Nguzo Saba' AND the 'Haymanot Retet' (Ge'ez/Ethiopian for orthodox, right teachings) of the 'Bisrat' (Ge'ez/Ethiopian for Gospel or Good News) of HaMashiach and His spirituality--the leading and movement of His Spirit who indwells us--which teaches essentially the same thing and has been ever since the Living God's earliest covenantal relationship with the human family beginning with our Afro-Asiatic (cultural) and Abrahamic (spiritual) ancestors in far ancient times.
Asè! Weɛ! Amen!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Friendship Community Presbyterian Church, 181 Robinson St,Pittsburgh,PA,United States
