How to Create an Ecofriendly Kwanzaa!

It’s easy to turn a page or click on a website at this time of year to find”eco-tips” on a greener Christmas.




Greenopolis has published several, and we’ve done one on Hanukkah too, which just ended. But For Kwanzaa, the 7-day African-American heritage holiday that begins December 26th and runs until January 1st; it was a little bit harder to find tips on green practices for the celebration.

The holiday has only been around since 1966, whereas Christmas goes back 2000 years and Hanukah over 2300 years. So, Kwanzaa is a pretty new kid on the block. But that can be an advantage. Kwanzaa is about the same age as the modern environmental movement, post Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. It has seven principles and seven symbols of the holiday. And 3 of the seven candles lit for Kwanzaa celebration are green!

According to Wikipedia, the seven principles are:

• Umoja (Unity)
• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)
• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
• Nia (Purpose)
• Kuumba (Creativity)
• Imani (Faith)

Pretty impressive set of values. Here at Greenopolis, we thought we’d take a stab at a “green” practice that could fit with each of the principles. These are not intended to be exclusive or the final say in the matter, but a place to get started in bringing a "waste not” lens to Kwanzaa as well.

• Umoja (Unity) - The first day of Kwanzaa, I can change my mind about being a solo actor. Everything is connected. We’re all part of a greater whole- this planet, and what we do or don’t do extends far beyond our own lives. Everything I do has the potential to make a difference to someone else, and to the ecosphere. There’s no them there, there’s no there there, there’s just us, here.

• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) - I can do this. The process of slimming down the amount of stuff and energy I use, the garbage I create, and recycling it all can seem daunting. But I can take that first step. Today I will recycle something I never have before.

• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) - I don’t have to do this alone, and it’s more fun and effective saving the planet as part of a team. Today I’ll reach out to a neighbor, friend or family member and figure out something we can do together, like plant some trees, start an electronics recycling drive or organize a river cleanup.

• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) - There’s gold in those hills of trash. Building on the collective work of yesterday, today I’ll look into recycling golf balls with friends or collecting returnable bottles and cans, or some other endeavor that will turn trash into treasure. I’ll start supporting green businesses in my neighborhood.

• Nia (Purpose) – There’s no such thing as a small action when done for a higher purpose. Today I’ll do something large or small that supports a major earth issue, like driving a little less to save fuels and CO2 emissions, turning down the thermostat, buy something that supports a local or green business, or educate a child on the importance of taking care of the earth in everything we do.

• Kuumba (Creativity) - Today I’ll turn something useless or old into something new and useful. I’ll make my own kinara (candle holder), mkeka (placemat), or Kikombe cha umoja (communal unity cup). I can do it with a friend or child to support the unity and cooperative work principles.

• Imani (Faith) - I will adopt the attitude that I can make a difference in every small action I take, and that together, we can turn the corner on conserving our green planet for the next generation and the ones after that.

Lighting a candle in your life…

Our friends at Care2 have a nice piece on making the seven symbols of Kwanzaa eco-friendly, concluding with how to make your own mkeka, or place mat from ecofriendly materials. And The Daily Green has a nice blog on celebrating Kwanzaa in a “green’ way.

Seven days of Kwanzaa, eight days of Hanukkah, twelve days of Christmas. Plenty of time to make a difference in your life and world, and make every day a little greener. Share your Kwanzaa or other holiday practice with us below.

Habari Gani!