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Kwanzaa With Kids: Celebrating This Family Holiday in 2020

Kwanzaa takes place Dec. 26-Jan. 1

By Kristen Wright-Matthews, publisher of Macaroni Kid College Park-East Point-Morrow, Ga. December 20, 2021

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa was founded by a college professor Maulana Karenga in 1966. Karenga created Kwanzaa to celebrate African heritage, unity, and culture while empowering the African-American community. The holiday takes cues from traditional African harvest festivals. The word “Kwanzaa” comes from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza,” which means “first fruits.” 

Kwanzaa is a family-oriented holiday which lasts 7 days (December 26th - January 1st). Many of the seasonal activities are geared toward children of all ages and adaptable for little ones. 

The main colors of Kwanzaa are green, black, and red. You can incorporate these colors into your decorating and crafts, from placemats to collages, and other decor 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.

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:

  1. umoja: to maintain unity in the family and community
  2. kujichagulia: self-determination, to be responsible and speak for oneself
  3. ujima: collective work and responsibility, to build and maintain a community
  4. ujamaa: economic cooperation, to help and profit one another
  5. nia: purpose, to build and develop the community for the benefit of the people
  6. kuumba: creativity, to do everything possible to leave the community more beautiful and beneficial for future generations
  7. 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 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.

"Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday. It is a cultural one with 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.

In order to avoid 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.

More information can be found by visiting the official Kwanzaa website

Teaching Kids About Kwanzaa

Craft Ideas:
Adinkra Printing

Handprint Kinara

Unity Cup

Kwanzaa Gift Tags

Kwanzaa Wreath

Recipes:
Better Homes & Gardens 21 Festive 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 Plant-Based Recipes for Your Kwanzaa Celebration

Vegetarian Kwanzaa Feast 

A Vegan Kwanzaa 

Happy Kwanzaa!

Kristen Wright-Matthews is the publisher of Macaroni Kid College Park-East Point-Morrow, Ga.