Kawaida Theory: An African Communitarian Philosophy

Dr. Maulana Karenga, activist-scholar, university professor, creator of Kwanzaa, author, Seba (moral teacher) in the ancient Egyptian Maatian (Kawaida) tradition, stands as a major figure in the African American liberation movement & in African American social-ethical & cultural philosophy. This long-awaited book sets out in a critical but accessible way the main lines of thought, the fundamental contentions & central concepts of his philosophy, Kawaida. KAWAIDA THEORY contains the author's most recent contributions to critical debates in African American social discourse. In its 30-year history of development, KAWAIDA has been embraced & put to use in various intellectual & programmatic movements & discourses such as: Black liberation, Black Studies, Black student & youth movements, Black Arts, Afrocentricity, rites of passage programs, ancient Egyptian & other classical studies, independent schools & of course, Kwanzaa which has spread some of the central values & concepts of KAWAIDA among millions of practitioners throughout the world African community. KAWAIDA, as critical social & cultural theory, understands itself as an ongoing dialogue with African culture in the continuous quest to discover & bring forth the best of what it means to be both African & human. Maulana Karenga's carefully reasoned presentation of KAWAIDA THEORY demonstrates his groundedness & insightfulness in African culture & the continued vitality of the KAWAIDA tradition in addressing critical contemporary issues.