A curated collection of culturally rich words, each carrying the power of community, sisterhood, and Black heritage
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Makidada
Meaning: “Little sister” (Swahili) – a term of endearment showing love, care, and a close bond between sisters or younger girls.
You may recognize this word from Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, where it appears as a song and hand-game celebrating sisterhood and friendship.
Kamoinge
Meaning: “A group of people working together” (Kikuyu, Kenya) – highlights collaboration, teamwork, and shared purpose.
This word is the name of the Kamoinge Workshop, a collective of Black photographers formed in New York City in 1963 to uplift African American voices and images in mainstream media.
Ubuntu
Meaning: “I am because we are” (Nguni Bantu, Southern Africa) – a principle emphasizing shared humanity, compassion, and interconnectedness.
Ubuntu is closely tied to the values celebrated in Kwanzaa, especially Umoja (unity), reminding us that our strength and well-being come from supporting and uplifting one another.
Kamoinge
Can be translated to “a group of people who are working together” from the Kikuyu language, which is spoken in Kenya primarily.
