Kwanzaa

Where in the World is Kwanzaa celebrated?
Kwanzaa is a celebration that honors African Americans. Africa is the second largest continent in the World. It is by the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. It has the largest desert in the world--the Sahara Desert. The Sahara Desert is almost as big as the whole United States! It also has the longest river in the world--the Nile River.

What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa means "the first." It is holiday that celebrates the African "first fruit" harvests. It honors the bounty the earth gives us. It is a time that African Americans think about Africa and their ancestors.

Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday. It is about heritage and togetherness. It is about family and friends being together and sharing together. Over 20 million people celebrate Kwanzaa.

When is Kwanzaa celebrated?
Kwanzaa starts on December 26th and lasts for 7 days. It ends on January 1st. Kwanzaa is celebrated different ways. Many families start by asking, "Habari gani?" which means "What's the news?" Someone answers with one of the seven beliefs. Then the candles are lit. After the candles are lit, people talk about the day's belief.

What are the seven beliefs of Kwanzaa?
There are 7 beliefs of Kwanzaa. There is one belief for each day. African American families try to live these beliefs every day.

The first day of Kwanzaa is called umoja. This means unity. The second day is kujichagulia. This means self-determination--to always do what is right. Ujima is the third day. This means we must work together. The fourth day is ujamaa. This means "collective economics," which means we need to help each other.

Nia is the fifth belief of Kwanzaa. It means purpose--we all have a special purpose in our family. The sixth belief is kuumba. This means creativity. On the evening of the sixth day, African Americans celebrate kuumba which is the great feast of Kwanzaa.

The last day of Kwanzaa is imani. This means faith. This is the day African Americans celebrate themselves and their future.

After people talk about the belief, the unity cup is passed. Each person takes a sip. Then it's time to share food.

Is there a special Gift Giver during Kwanzaa?
Families give each other gifts during Kwanzaa. Some families exchange small gifts every day. Some families open gifts on New Year's Eve. Many gifts are homemade.

How do the African-Americans decorate their houses for Kwanzaa?
African Americans decorate their homes in the colors of Kwanzaa--red, green and black. These are the colors of the African-American flag.

An important decoration is a candleholder. In the candleholder are seven candles. They are red, green and black. The three red candles are on the right, the three green are on the left, and the black one is in the middle. Candles are lit for each night of Kwanzaa.

There are special things needed to help celebrate Kwanzaa. A straw mat is always placed on the table during Kwanzaa called a mkeka. On top of the mat are fruits and vegetables. One of the vegetables is corn. There is one ear of corn on the table for each child in the family.

During Kwanzaa families share a unity cup. Everyone takes a sip out of it. It stands for unity.

During Kwanzaa, some African Americans wear traditional African clothing. They spend time with their family and friends. Children are very important to the Kwanzaa celebration.

What special foods do they eat during Kwanzaa?
There is a great feast on December 31st which is known as Karamu. Some foods that families might eat are black-eyed peas, greens, fried chicken, baked catfish, sweet potato pie and peach cobbler. Some families will eat at a restaurant.

At the feast there can also be dancing, music and stories.

What are some other special traditions?
Some families do special activities each day of Kwanzaa. These activities help them understand the beliefs of the day. Some activities could include working together on projects, studying and learning more about African culture, and sharing literature, poems, dance and drama.

Fiction
Kwanzaa by Schlessinger
Seven Candles for Kwanzaa by David Pinkney
A Kwanzaa Miracle by Sharon Shavers Gayle
Imani's Gift at Kwanzaa by Denise Burden-Patmon

Non-Fiction
Kwanzaa: A Rookie Read About Holidays by David F. Marx
A Very Special Kwanzaa by Debbi Chocolate
Kwanzaa by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate
My First Kwanzaa Book by Deborah M. Newton Chocolate
The Seven Days of Kwanzaa by Angela Medearis
Celebrating Kwanzaa by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith