Kwanzaa is a week long holiday observed in the US honoring the universal African culture and heritage. It is a celebration of family and community. The seven candles represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa, each one on a day of the celebrations. First is Umoja (unity) to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race. Second is Kujichagulia (self-determination) to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves. Third Ujima (collective work and responsibility) to build and maintain our community together and make our sister's and brother's problems our problems and to solve them together. Fourth is Ujamaa (cooperative economics) to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses together. Fifth is Nia (purpose) to make our collective vocation the building of our community to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Sixth is Kuumba (creativity) to do as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. And lastly, seventh is Imani (faith) to believe with our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.