kujichagulia

kujichagulia

English

Etymology

From Swahili kujichagulia (“self-determination”).

Noun

kujichagulia (uncountable)

1. self-determination (in the context of African-American culture)
   • 2020 November 5, North Carolina State University Calendar‎:

     On the second day of Kwanzaa, we practice Kujichagulia, the principle of self-determination. This principle highlights for the NC State community what it means to define, name, create and speak for ourselves.

   • 2021 July 4, Justin Phillips, “Why I'm sitting out the Fourth of July”, in San Francisco Chronicle‎:

     Payne said. "It’s going to soil and spoil the kujichagulia of Juneteenth. ... It’s going to feel like it’s theirs, too."

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Swahili

Verb

kujichagulia (verbal noun of the ku class)

1. reflexive infinitive form of -chagulia (literally “to decide for oneself”)