Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba and Imani.
They are seven principles, representing seven days and they are not in November, but the celebration of them often is.
Each year Kwanzaa, the winter holiday celebrating African American culture, begins the day after Christmas, but because of the school-based schedule, many of the celebrations fall in November.
Dominique Beaumonte, director of the University Black Student Union, said the early observation of Kwanzaa ensures proper acknowledgment of an important holiday.
“I think it would be horrible if we overlooked it as a program on campus,” said Beaumonte, a sophomore pre-journalism major.
The BSU held its Kwanzaa program Wednesday in the EMU Ballroom. About 150 people came to hear the music, see the skits and learn a bit about the background of the young holiday.
Olivia Callier, a freshman, opened with the Black National Anthem, followed by a performance by the University Gospel Choir.
“Keep your head up, don’t give in,” Sara Chiles, a soloist, sang, “Everything will be all right.”
This singing set the stage for an entertaining and informational program.
“The goal is to provide cultural awareness by working together and enjoying each other’s presence,” Beaumonte said.
The event was put on entirely by student volunteers.
Students acted out the first day, Umoja, or unity, with a simulated classroom skit outlining the purpose of Kwanzaa.
In 1966, Dr. Maulana Karenga, an activist and black studies scholar, founded the holiday. Today, Americans celebrate it in a number of ways, most of which involve a spiritual reconnection to the African American community and to one’s goals.
The professor asked his class if anyone knew who Karenga is. A ditzy student, portrayed by Abolade Majekobaje, eagerly raised her hand and said he is, like, the best football player.
Beaumonte, playing a smart student, corrected her and ultimately moved his chair away from the ignorant student, evoking laughter and applause from the audience.
Majekobaje, whose father is Nigerian, said she also learned about Kwanzaa in real-life school, particularly in college, because it is an American holiday.
“Now that I’ve learned about it, I’ve embraced it,” Majekobaje said.
A second group, presented self-determination, or Kujichagulia. They wore solid black outfits and white gloves. They read a poem “Into the light.”
Zeta Phi Beta sorority and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity members worked together, tapping rhythms with painted sticks, to build a blue house for Ujima, which is collective work and responsibility.
Another skit, a beauty shop scene, enacted cooperative economics, or Ujamaa. They decided working at the salon wasn’t getting them anywhere and that four women with college degrees should be doing more.
They put their heads and degrees together and started a fictional magazine that they called “Sister to Brother.”
Nia, the next group, took a slightly different approach to presenting their principle. Nia means purpose and instead of acting something out, these students went to area middle schools to talk about career goals with them. They videotaped the visits, though the tape showed students saying the same thing at different schools.
Many people left during the video, but its message, or the remaining two principles of Kwanzaa, were not lost on the remaining audience members.
For Kuumba, or creativity, the group took an educational approach. In the beginning of the presentation, which read like a book report, students listed influential African American writers and artists.
The Kuumba presentation livened up when Rayna Luvert delivered a beat poem oration on equal opportunity.
“Equal opportunity?” she asked. “They already fought that fight?”
“Today, people, we still got to fight,” she said.
Five women presented “Imani is Faith,” a poem written by Majekobaje for the event. Each woman gave a glimpse into what faith can mean, covering topics such as recovery from sin and the faith of finding true love.
“Imani is faith and faith is so many things,” Majekobaje said. “There is so much more that could have been said.”
Another event in the community will be Jefferson Middle School’s presentation of “Go for your destiny,” Nov. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Jefferson’s auditorium at 1650 W. 22nd Ave.
The event will feature African drummers, an African fashion show and a marketplace. University law professor Robin Morris-Collin is the keynote speaker.