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The Sixth Day of Kwanzaa (December 31)
 On the sixth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red, the next green and then the final red candle. This represents the 6th principle of Kwanzaa - Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
The sixth day, which occurs on New Years Eve, is a special day. This is the day of the Kwanzaa Karamu or Kwanzaa Feast. In the spirit of celebration many families invite their friends and family to join in the festivities.
Create a party atmosphere with additional Kwanzaa decorations. Dress up in traditional or traditional inspired clothing. Play African or African American music. Cook your favorite foods and special holiday dishes. Invite your guests to contribute to the feast by bringing along their favorite dishes. The children and/or the Adults can perform plays, read uplifting passages, poems or stories. Maybe one of the adults will be a story teller for the day. Remember the principle of the day is Kuumba (creativity). So be creative!!
 On this special day we remember our ancestors when the Unity cup is shared. After everyone has taken a drink the candles are extinguished.
But before the Karamu is over, the eldest member of those present will read the Tamshi La Tutaonana (TAM-shi la Tu-ta-u-NA-na). The Tamshi La Tutaonana was written by Dr. Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa, as a farewell statement to the feast and the year.
Everyone stands as the elder reads:
Strive for discipline, dedication, and achievement in all you do.
Dare struggle and sacrifice and gain the strength that comes from this.
Build where you are and dare leave a legacy that will last as long as the sun shines and the water flows.
Practice daily Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani.
And may the wisdom of the ancestors always walk with us.
May the year's end meet us laughing, and stronger.
May our children honor us by following our example in love and struggle.
And at the end of next year, may we sit together again, in larger numbers, with greater achievement and closer to liberation and a higher level of life.
Then the elder leads the guests in the Harambee (ha-RAM-bee) salute. Each person raises their right fist about as high as their shoulder, then pulls down forcefully until the elbow is next to next to their torso, saying "Harambee!" This is done seven times in unison.
This concludes the Karamu celebration.
 | NGUZO SABA
(The Seven Principles) |  | Umoja
 Kujichagulia
 Ujima
 Ujamaa
 Nia
 Kuumba
 Imani
 | KUUMBA (Creativity) WHAT IS CREATIVITY? Dr. Maulana (Ron) Karenga is a professor at California State Univeristy, who was a pioneer in the Black Studies movement, and who is famous for creating the celebration of Kwanzaa. He had the insight to come up with this week long festival for Africans in America that has grown in stature, importance and relevance in the 34 years since its inception. He carefully noted how every other group had their feasts and festivals, and thought it only fitting that we should have a celebration uniquely our own. Many of Africa’s peoples have major celebrations around harvest time. They take place in the fall. Karenga, looking at the calendar, saw a nice convenient slot. The week between Christmas and New Years, when school is out, and college students and others tend to travel "home for the holidays" seemed ideal. He saw that it would provide the opportunity for all of us to review what we have "harvested" in the passing year, and reflect on what seeds we should plant for the one about to begin. Today is the sixth day of Kwanzaa, KUUMBA (Creativity) Today let us think about what we can do to leave our community more beneficial and beautiful than we inherited it. What creative contributions can we make, individually and collectivity, to fulfill this valuable principle, KUUMBA? | | | Check out this Web Site the official founder of Kwanzaa -
Maulana Karenga | | | |
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How to celebrate each Day! 
