kujichagulia

English

Etymology

From Swahili kujichagulia (“self-determination”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌku.d͡ʒiˈt͡ʃɑ.ɡuˌli.ə/

Noun

kujichagulia (uncountable)

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

     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^[2]:

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

Swahili

Pronunciation

• Audio (Kenya):

  (file)

Verb

kujichagulia (verbal noun of the ku class)

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