Imani (ee-mah-nee) (Faith) - the seventh and last principle of Kwanzaa - To believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. - Karenga
More from Karenga -
"Unity brings us together and harnesses our strength, but faith in each other and the Good, the Right, the Beautiful inspires and sustains the the coming together and the commitment to take the work to its end." pg 64-65 of Kwanzaa, Celebration of Family, Community and Culture. 1997
"In the context of African spirituality, it begins with a belief in the Creator . . . it is taught that we are in the image of the Creator and thus capable of ultimate righteousness and creativity through self-mastery and development in the context of positive support. Therefore, faith in ourselves is key here, faith in our capacity as humans to live righteously, self-correct, support, care for and be and be responsible for each other and eventually create the just and good society."
From what others say of Imani and Kwanzaa:
RecordOnline.com - Faith or Imani focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves and helps us strive for a higher level of life. By affirming our self-worth and confidence in our abilities, we triumph in righteous struggle. Kwanzaa is not based on religion, per se, but the celebration does put emphasis on believing in something (be it a higher power or one's self) in order to survive. A community is only as strong as its individuals and families. We must believe in ourselves and our ability to thrive in troubling situations. (by Carolyn Massey)
www.doth.com - Affirmation: I will have faith, strong and unshakable in the Supreme Deity and its Grand Goodness and in myself and the inherent goodness of others. I will sweep away all fear of the unknown, past regrets and concerns for the future from my mind and meet each day with active faith. I will give thanks for both expected and unexpected good and will help others have faith in themselves and others.
Kwanzaa principle of the day, Imani: (about.com) The principle celebrated on the final day of Kwanzaa is Imani, or Faith. On this day, those who celebrate Kwanzaa focus on the faith they have in themselves, their parents, teachers, leaders, and what is right.
In the paragraph by Karenga near the top of this page, he describes us a being in the image of the Creator and capable of righteousness through self-mastery. Of course, that's contradictory to the nature of the Christian where righteousness is obtained through Christ only and not by anything one does themselves. (2 Cor 5:21). The rest of the examples of Imani urges faith in a "creator," faith in onesself, faith in the "inherent goodness" of man - contrary to man's inherent sinfulness.
Next: Final Commentary on the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles of Kwanzaa)
