KWANZAA

Kwanzaa is a non-religious event honoring African-American culture and community. Kwanzaa’s seven days of celebration begins on December 26th and ends on January 1st .
The word Kwanzaa is derived from Swahili words meaning “first fruits of the harvest,” and the holiday includes many elements of traditional African harvest celebrations. The most important symbols of Kwanzaa are:

Habari Gani? Those Swahili words, meaning What’s the News? This is a ritual greeting for Kwanzaa
The mishumaa are the seven candles (3 red, 3 green, 1 black), standing for Kwanzaa’s seven principles
The kinara is a candleholder, representing the stalk of corn from which the family grows
The mkeka is a straw placemat, recalling tradition and history
The mazao is a variety of fruit, symbolizing the harvest
The vibunzi is an ear of corn for each child, celebrating the child’s potential
The kikombe cha umoja is a cup of unity, commemorating one’s ancestors
The zawadi are modest gifts, encouraging creativity, achievement, and success

Kwanzaa focuses on seven principles or goals:
1. umoja, unity
2. kujichagulia, self-determination
3. ujima, collective work and responsibility
4. ujamaa, cooperative economics
5. nia, purpose
6. kuumba, creativity
7. imani, faith

The most joyous and elaborate of Kwanzaa’s gatherings takes place on December 31, the 6th day of the holiday period. On that night, a great feast (karamu) is held. Families and friends gather to eat, drink, sing, dance, and read stories and poems celebrating their cultural heritage. Everyone sips from the unity cup and many people exchange gifts.

CELEBRATING KWANZAA IN THE CLASSROOM
Have students search newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, or online resources for news stories related to Africa. Display a large map of Africa and have students access an online map. Encourage students to study the map and identify coastal and interior countries, find the southernmost country, and northeastern corner of the African continent “Egypt” . Point out the large island off the eastern coast of Africa, “Madagascar”, the country called Libya borders Egypt to its west, and the easternmost country on the continent of Africa is Somalia.

MATH LESSON
1. In 1997, the U.S. Postal Service printed 133 million Kwanzaa stamps. At $.32 each, how much did 10 stamps cost? ($3.20)
2. How much did one sheet (50 stamps) cost? ($16.00)
3. How much money in all did the stamps bring in? (133 million stamps X .32 = $42,560,000.00)
4. In 2004, a new 37-cent Kwanzaa stamp was made available. At $.37 each, how much did 10 stamps cost? ($3.70)
5. How much did a sheet of 20 stamps cost? ($7.40)
6. How much more did 10 stamps cost in 2004?

BOOKS
An Anthology of Modern Poems by Black Americans, edited by Arnold Adoff
The Black Family Pledge by Maya Angelou.
In Daddy’s Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers (illustrated by Jack Steptoe).

RELATED RESOURCES
Kwanzaa: Everything You Always Wanted to Know But Didn’t Know Where to Ask, by Cedric McClester (Gumbs and Thomas) includes information about the history, symbols, and celebrations of Kwanzaa.

KWANZAA LINKS ON THE INTERNET
The History of Kwanzaa
Maintained by CNN Interactive, the site provides factual, news-based information about the history, symbolism, and celebrations of Kwanzaa.

Kwanzaa Information Center
The Kwanzaa Information Center is a year-round site offering in-depth background information about the holiday and its origins, specific suggestions for celebrating Kwanzaa, a calendar of Kwanzaa events, a chat room, and many additional Kwanzaa links.