Kwanzaa for Kids

Kwanzaa	HOMEPAGE	Teacher's Corner
Kid's Corner	Holidays & Celebrations	Other Themes

When is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st.

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa is the first specifically African holiday created by Dr. Maulana Karenga of United Slaves Organization in 1966.

What was the purpose or goal of Kwanzaa?

Initially, Karenga said that Kwanzaa was to be an alternative to Christmas and blacks should shun Christianity as it was a white man's religion. Later, Karenga changed his position because he did not want to alienate those who were already practicing Christianity. In the 1997 Kwanzaa, he stated that Kwanzaa is a celebration of:

family

community

and culture
It was not created as an alternative religion or religious holiday.

The name Kwanzaa is from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza" which means "first fruits". Swahili is an East African language and it was chosen because it reflects status as a symbol of Pan-Africanism.

Principles of Kwanzaa

There are seven guiding principles (Nguzo Saba) in Kwanzaa. There are seven days of celebrations, namely:

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)

KWANZAA STAMPS

The first Kwanzaa stamp was issued on October 22. 1997. It was designed by Synthia Saint James.

The second Kwanzaa stamp was created by artist Daniel Minter. It has seven figures in colorful robes representing the seven principles.

	Kwanzaa Worksheets, Coloring and Printables Print out these Kwanzaa worksheets, coloring activities or other printables
	Kwanzaa Crafts Make some Kwanzaa crafts for kids
	Kwanzaa Cliparts and Graphics Get these Kwanzaa cliparts, graphics and backgrounds for your webpages or newsletters.
	Kwanzaa Games for kids Kids will have fun with these Kwanzaa games and other activities for kids
	Kwanzaa Stories Read fun Kwanzaa stories here.
	Kwanzaa Songs and Poems Shares these songs and rhymes with kids.
	Kwanzaa Lesson Plans Kwanzaa lesson plans and other resources for teachers

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