Kwanzaa is a family-oriented holiday celebrated over 7-days, making it easy to get children involved. Many of the activities surrounding this annual event are geared toward children of all ages and most certainly adaptable for little ones.
The celebration of Kwanzaa started as a way to honor African heritage and African-American culture. This African American and Pan-African holiday is now celebrated throughout the world - honoring family, community and culture.
The main colors of Kwanzaa are green, black, and red. Incorporate these hues into your decorations and crafts, from candles to placemats and other décor items. Since Kwanzaa has a big focus on creativity, you can encourage your kids to make handmade cards and signs to give to relatives and friends. They will enjoy learning and diving into all of the activities that will provide a rich history to carry on for many years to come.
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Teach your kids about this beautiful holiday, create some crafts and try some new recipes
Are you looking for Family-Fun Kwanzaa events in town and nearby?
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Visit Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas for events in town and nearby in Los Angeles and Ventura County.
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About Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an American activist and college professor. Karenga created Kwanzaa as a way of uniting and empowering the African-American community in the aftermath of the deadly Watts Riots.
Having modeled his holiday on traditional African harvest festivals, he took the name “Kwanzaa” from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.” The extra “a” was added simply to accommodate seven children at the first-ever Kwanzaa celebration in 1966, each of whom wanted to represent a letter, according to Karenga.
"Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one with an inherent spiritual quality,” Karenga writes. “Thus, Africans of all faiths can and do celebrate Kwanzaa, i.e. Muslims, Christians, Black Hebrews, Jews, Buddhists, Baha’i, and Hindus, as well as those who follow the ancient traditions of Maat, Yoruba, Ashanti, Dogon, etc.” According to Karenga, non-blacks can also enjoy Kwanzaa, just as non-Mexicans commemorate Cinco de Mayo and non-Native Americans participate in powwows. Thus, Kwanzaa does not replace Christmas, as many people celebrate both.
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Kwanzaa is centered around seven principles and each day of the seven days is dedicated to one of “The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa.”
The seven principles are:
- umoja: to maintain unity in the family and community
- kujichagulia: self-determination, to be responsible and speak for oneself
- ujima: collective work and responsibility, to build and maintain a community
- ujamaa: economic co-operation, to help and profit one another
- nia: purpose, to build and develop the community for the benefit of the people
- kuumba: creativity, to do everything possible to leave the community more beautiful and beneficial for future generations
- imani: faith, to believe in parents, teachers, and leaders.
Kwanzaa also has seven symbols – mazao - crops, mkeka - mat, kinara - candleholder, muhindi - corn, kikombe cha umoja - unity cup, zawadi - gifts and mishumaa saba - seven candles – that are traditionally arranged on a table.
Three of the seven candles are red, representing the struggle; three of the candles are green, representing the land and hope for the future; and one of the candles is black, representing people of African descent. Some families who celebrate Kwanzaa dress up or decorate their homes in those colors.
In order to avoid over-commercialization, homemade and educational gifts are encouraged on Kwanzaa. Common gifts are books, music, art accessories, or other culturally-themed products, preferably from a Black-owned business.
Teaching Kids About Kwanzaa
CRAFTS FOR KIDS
- 5 Crafts To Celebrate Kwanzaa With Kids
- Macaroni Kid Crafts - DIY Candles
- Adinkra Printing
- Handprint Kinara
- Unity Cup
- Kwanzaa Gift Tags
- Handprint Kwanzaa Wreath
- Kwanzaa Felt Board Craft
- Kwanzaa Coloring Pages
RECIPES FOR FAMILIES
- Macaroni KID Recipe Box: African Chicken Stew
- Better Homes & Gardens: 17 Traditional Kwanzaa Recipe Ideas to Try
- 34 Kwanzaa Favorites from Food.com
- 5 Recipes to Get in the Kwanzaa Spirit
- Eating Well's Healthy Kwanzaa Recipes
- 15 Vegan Recipes for Your Kwanzaa Celebration
- PETA's Tips for a Vegan Kwanzaa Feast
- A Vegan Kwanzaa
More information about Kwanzaa can be found by visiting:
- Official Kwanzaa website
- Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History & Culture for more about Kwanzaa + ideas on how to celebrate
Happy Kwanzaa - Learn and Celebrate with your Kids
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Kristen Wright-Matthews is the publisher of Macaroni Kid College Park-East Point-Morrow, Ga.
Updated December 11, 2023 by Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas
