Kwanzaa is family-oriented so it's easy to get children involved. Many of the activities surrounding the annual event are geared toward children of all ages and most certainly adaptable for little ones.
About Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was founded by Maulana Karenga, a black nationalist who later became a 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 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.
Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday; it is a cultural one. 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.
Celebrate Kwanzaa in Colorado
- December 26 @ 6pm: “The Circle of Wisdom” inductees and the IWADEE African Dance Troupe at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Denver
- December 26 @ 4pm: Umoja (Unity) at Ford-Warren Branch Library, Denver
- December 27 @ 12pm: Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) at Virginia Village Branch Library, Denver
- December 28 @ 12pm: Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) at Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library, Denver
- December 29 @ 3:20pm: Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) at Park Hill Branch Library, Denver
- December 30 @ 2pm: Nia (Purpose) & Kuumba (Creativity) at Green Valley Ranch Branch Library, Denver
- December 26-31 @ 6pm: 34th Annual Colorado Springs Citywide Kwanzaa Celebration at In-Balance Wellness Studio, Colorado Springs
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
One Green Planet's 15 Vegan Recipes for Your Kwanzaa Celebration
Peta's Vegan Kwanzaa Feast
A Vegan Kwanzaa
