The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba are a set of ideals created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Each day of Kwanzaa emphasises a different principle.

Unity (Umoja)

— (oo-MO-jah)

To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Self-determination –(Kujichagulia)–— (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah)

To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima)–— (oo-GEE-mah)

To build and maintain our community together and make our brother's and sister's problems our problems and to solve them together.

Cooperative Economics–(Ujamaa)–— (oo-JAH-mah)

To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.

Purpose (Nia)–— (nee-YAH)

To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

Creativity (Kuumba)-– (koo-OOM-bah)

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.

Faith (Imani) –— (ee-MAH-nee)

To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.