Kwanzaa is a holiday created in 1966 by Ronald Karenga (founder of the “Black Power” group called “Us Organization”), through which African Americans can connect with their heritage and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 to January 1, with every 7 days focusing on one of the seven core values otherwise known as “Nguzo Saba”. A candle is lit every day, and on the last day, people exchange gifts. Since Kwanzaa is more like a cultural holiday than a religious holiday, it can be celebrated at the same time as Christmas or Hanukkah, or celebrated separately, although Karenga hopes that it is this holiday that is celebrated instead of Christmas and Hanukkah, as she feels that the two holidays are merely symbol of the dominant cultures in America.
Step
Step 1. Decorate your entire house or just the main room with Kwanzaa symbols
Place a green tablecloth to cover a table in the middle of the room, then on top of the cloth, place “Mkeka” (a straw or woven mat) which symbolizes the historical foundation of African descent. Place the items below on top of “Mkeka”':
- Mazao -fruits or crops in a bowl, symbolizing community productivity.
- Kinara -a candlestick with seven branches.
- Mishuma Saba - seven candles symbolizing the seven core principles of Kwanzaa. The three candles on the left are red, symbolizing struggle; the three on the right are green, symbolizing hope; and one in the middle is black, representing African Americans or those of African descent.
- Muhindi -corn husk. Lay out a piece of corn husk for each of your children; If you don't have children, place two corn husks to represent the children in your neighborhood.
- Zawadi - Various gifts for children.
- Kikombe cha Umoja -a cup (cup with legs) to symbolize the unity of family and society.
Step 2. Decorate around the room with Kwanzaa flags called “Flags”, and posters emphasizing the seven principles of Kwanzaa
You can buy or make these items, but making them with the kids is fun too.
- See How to Make a Flag for details on creating a flag. Click here for detailed instructions on how to color the Kwanzaa Flag.
- If you or your child enjoy making flags, try making flags of other African nationalities and ethnicities in addition to the Kwanzaa flag.
Step 3. Practice saying the Kwanzaa greeting
Starting from December 26th, greet everyone by saying “Habari Gani” (a standard Swahili greeting meaning “what news?”). If someone greets you, respond by saying the principle (Nguzo Saba) of the day:
- December 26: " Umoja " - Unity
- December 27: " Kujichagulia " - Determination of fate
- December 28: " Ujima " - Collective work and responsibility
- December 29: " Ujamaa " - Cooperative economy
- December 30: " Nia " - Destination
- December 31: " Kuumba " - Creativity
-
January 1: " Faith " - Faith.
- Non-African Americans are also welcome to join in the greeting. The traditional greeting for them is “Joyous Kwanzaa”.
Step 4. Turn on Kinara every day
The candles are lit every day as many as one fruit in a certain order because each candle symbolizes a specific principle. The black candle is always lit first. Some people light other candles from left to right (red to green), while others light them in this order:
- black candle
- The red candle is far to the left
- Green candle far to the right
- Second red candle
- Second green candle
- The last red candle
- The last green candle
Step 5. Celebrate Kwanzaa in various ways
Choose some or all of the activities throughout the seven days of Kwanzaa celebrations, then host a banquet on the sixth day. The Kwanzaa Ceremony contains:
- Drumming and various music.
- Reading of the African Pledge and the Principles of Blackness.
- The meaning of Pan-African colours, a discussion of African principles of the day, or citing chapters in African history.
- Kinara candle lighting ritual.
- Various artistic performances.
Step 6. Have a Kwanzaa Karamu (banquet) on the sixth day (New Year's Eve)
The Kwanzaa Banquet is a very special occasion that brings everyone closer to their African cultural roots. Usually this event is held on December 31st and is also a communal and cooperative effort. Decorate the location where the banquet is being held with a red, green, and black scheme. Large Kwanzaa decorations should dominate the room where the banquet is held. A large Mkeka should be placed in the center of the floor where the food is laid out and make it easy for everyone to reach. Before and during the banquet, you should present informative and entertaining programs.
- Typically, the events presented should include welcoming, remembrance, appraisal, recommitment, and joy, which are then concluded in a farewell and a call for closer union.
- During the banquet, drinks must be distributed from a common chalice, namely the “Kikombe cha Umoja” cup, then passed to all present.
Step 7. Distribute Kuumba gifts
Kuumba means creativity; You are strongly encouraged to share it because the distribution of this gift will give you a sense of self-satisfaction. These gifts are usually exchanged between parents and children and distributed on January 1, which is the last day of Kwanzaa celebrations. These gifts should be either educational or artistic in nature as gift giving is related to Kuumba.
