Afrocentric Wheel of the Year
An anon asked me if there is a way to celebrate the Wheel of the Year in an Afrocentric way, and it inspired me! I guess I just invented a new set of holidays?
What are Kwanzaa & the Nguzo Saba?
Kwanzaa lasts for seven days from December 26 to January 1. Each day, one’s family does different activities together to honor each of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, which are called the Nguzo Saba. These principles are focused on celebrating and encouraging an Afrocentric way of living by a connection to black identity, values, and culture in a positive way that supports oneself and one’s entire community.
The reason why I believe it makes sense to celebrate the Nguzo Saba as different holidays throughout the year is that Kwanzaa isn’t meant to be about one week. It’s meant to be about inspiring a connection to one’s African roots and heritage that lasts all year long! Each holiday in this Afrocentric Wheel of the Year will focus on a different principle of the Nguzo Saba culminating in Kwanzaa at the very end, bringing them all together in one.
Days of the Afrocentric Wheel of the Year
You do have to be of African descent to celebrate Kwanzaa (and this Afrocentric WOY) but you don’t have to be African. The Afrocentric WOY is inspired by Kwanzaa, an Afrocentric, Pan-African holiday for anyone of African descent designed to help those of us in the global diaspora connect with African values, language, culture, and spirituality.
I’ve included a basic overview of each day of the WOY. They correspond to the Wiccan sabbats, but they are not called “sabbats” to be inclusive of anyone who wishes to celebrate them whether they practice magic, witchcraft, or neither. Underneath the ~ read more ~ line, I’ve added lists of altar ideas, mundane activities, and magical/spiritual activities for each day!
UMOJA: United as One
Date: February 1st
Corresponds with: Imbolc
Season: Beginning of Spring
Color: White
Symbol: Cowrie Shells
Nguzo Saba: Umoja (Swahili), Unity (English)
To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
KUJICHAGULIA: A Fresh Start
Dates: March 20-23th (depends on year)
Corresponds with: Ostara
Season: Spring Equinox
Color: Blue
Symbol: Arrow
Nguzo Saba: Kujichagulia (Swahili), Self-Determination (English)
To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves.
UJIMA: Strong Beginnings
Date: May 1st
Corresponds with: Beltane
Season: Beginning of Summer
Color: Green
Symbol: Wawa Tree Seed
Nguzo Saba: Ujima (Swahili), Collective Work & Responsibility (English)
To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together.
UJAMAA: Working Together
Dates: June 20-23rd (depends on year)
Corresponds with: Litha/Midsummer
Season: Summer Solstice
Color: Dark Red, Maroon
Symbol: Bowl of Fruit
Nguzo Saba: Ujamaa (Swahili), Cooperative Economics (English)
To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
NIA: Dreaming with Purpose
Date: August 1st
Corresponds with: Lammas/Lughnasa/Lugnasad
Season: Beginning of Fall (first harvest)
Color: Bright Red
Symbol: Axe
Nguzo Saba: Nia (Swahili), Purpose (English)
To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
KUUMBA: Black is Beautiful
Dates: September 20-23rd (depends on year)
Corresponds with: Mabon
Season: Autumn Equinox (second harvest)
Color: Yellow
Symbol: Comb
Nguzo Saba: Kuumba (Swahili), Creativity (English)
To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
IMANI: Faith in Each Other
Date: October 31st
Corresponds with: Samhain & Halloween
Season: End of Fall (last harvest, end of the year)
Colors: Rainbow (all colors together)
Symbol: Yams
Nguzo Saba: Imani (Swahili), Faith (English)
To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
KWANZAA: A Joyous Time
Dates: December 25th-January 1st (1 week long)
Corresponds with: Yule/Midwinter
Season: Winter Solstice
Colors: Red, black, and green
Symbols: Kinara (candle holder), mkeka (straw mat), mazao (crops), muhindi (ear of corn), kikombe cha umoja (unity bowl), zawadi (gifts), mishumaa saba (seven candles)
Nguzo Saba: All seven (one for each day of Kwanzaa)
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