Umoja – Unity - “ To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.” The Umoja candle is the black candle in the center of Kwanzaa's Kinara African candle holder, rightly so because unity of cultural consciousness is what unites not only all the other Principles of the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles of Kwanzaa) but Africans the world over. A unity born of common historical experience, struggle, and promise. Far from celebrating mere “togetherness,” Kwanzaa's Umoja principle urges Africans to unify in purpose, strive for harmony, and approach life from a common perspective. Rooted in the Ancient Egyptian value of Maat, Umoja unity reflects a balanced approach to life that reflects choosing the correct action in harmony with the interests of other community members. In Maat, personal righteousness arises not just from interpersonal unity but unity of purpose and action on both the natural, social, cultural, and cosmic level. In the African traditions the principle of Umoja is based upon, a moral life is not calculated by purely individual merit but on how a person lives and cooperates in harmony with that individual's family, community, society and larger world. Working from a solid grounding in Umoja, the modern angst and loneliness of industrial age/post-industrial alienation are less likely. Besides being a principle of Kwanzaa, Umoja requires participants to actively practice solidarity with the larger community through joining groups, becoming aware of group and social issues, and putting one's self out there. Unity in principle is nothing unless it is practiced and Umoja urges us to actively reach out beyond our immediate circles of concern and to push the boundaries of our circles outward. Make Umoja consciousness and practice a part of your daily routine.