The opening day of the Kwanzaa festival is known as “Umoja,” which means “Unity” in Swahili. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration that starts on December 26th and lasts until January 1st, with each day dedicated to one of the seven core principles of Kwanzaa. Umoja, observed on the first day, focuses on the principle of unity, emphasizing the importance of coming together as a community and working together for a common purpose. It’s a time for families and communities to reflect on the value of unity and togetherness.