

Kwanzaa
Featured Kwanzaa
Circle time Kwanzaa - To introduce the concept of Kwanzaa, I like to teach the children a few simple words from the Swahili language. We use them throughout the week we celebrate the holiday. Hello-jambo karibu-welcome (kah ree boo) rafiki-friend shule-school (shoolay) uzuri-beauty (oo zoo ree watoto-children (wah toe ...
Kwanzaa Mat - Objective: To create a handmade Kwanzaa mat called a Mkeka (em-kay-kah) of thier own. 1. Tell students about Mkeka's use (It is placed on the Kwanzaa table to represent the past and foundation of the African American people). 2. Let them know it is made by hand and is a symbol of tradition and history. 3. ...
A Brief History of Kwanzaa - Kwanzaa is a seven day African-American celebration of culture and tradition. It is a cultural, not religious, celebration that begins December 26th of each year. In 1966, Dr. Maulana Ron Karenga created the African-American celebration of Kwanzaa. Dr. Karenga, a political and cultural scientist, isalso ...
Seven Principles of Kwanzaa - Day 1 UMOJA (oo-MOH-ja) Unity Togetherness, we help each other Day 2 KUJICHAGULIA (coo-gee-cha-goo-lee-ahh) Self-Determination Thinking or deciding for oneself. Day 3 UJIMA (oo-Jee-mah) Collective work and reponsibility Work together to help others, make life better. Day 4 UJAMMA (oo-jah-MAH) ...
Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa - MAZAO (crops) Rewards for work we do MKEKE (straw mat) Our base or foundation KINARA (candleholder) Our tie to the land, our ancestors VIBUNZI (ears of corn) Cycle of life ZAWADI (presents, gifts) Gifts, rewards KIKOMBE CHA UMOJA (Unity Cup) All drink from the same cup. Unity. MISUMMA ...
Corn Necklace - Munhindi means corn. The corn represents the children of a family. Make your mom a necklace with one ear of corn for each child in your family. 1. Cut a corn shape from tagboard for each ear of corn on your necklace. Choose the number of ears of corn by how many children the mother has. 2. Twist ...
Kwanzaa
