Next week, we are celebrating Kwanzaa! Although I am a mixed race, BIPOC woman, I grew up in a predominately white home and area. I have spent a large part of my adulthood learning about my culture, who I am, and who I want to be as a person.Â
For the last few years, I have spent time building my capacity, especially around Kwanzaa, in preparation to celebrate with my family and make sure that I am teaching my children about my culture. I am very excited to share some information that I have taken in, so I can be ready to teach my kids about our culture and embrace how important this holiday is in the African American community.
What is Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is a celebrational holiday from African American culture and its traditional values that were brought forth in the 1960s by the Black National Movement. The celebration takes place annually for seven days from December 26th through January 1st. The seven-day celebration focuses each day on particular principles and social values.
The celebrations during this time focus around unity, creativity, faith, and gift giving. These are all things that are so important to me in everyday life. I strive to make sure that I focus on teaching my children to encompass these values in their daily lives.Â
Seven Key Principles
During the seven-day celebration, there are seven key principles that are focused on–one each day.
- Umoja focuses on maintaining the unity of family, the nation, race, and community around us.
- Kujichagulia focuses on the self-determination to create and do things for ourselves.
- Ujima focuses on collective work and the responsibility to build each other’s community and help our friends and families.
- Ujamaa focuses on economics and supporting Black-owned businesses, shops, and stores.
- Nia focuses on the vocation of building and developing communities to restore them.
- Kuumba is the day of creativity.
- Imani is the day of faith.
The focus of each of these days is to bring together the Black community as a family and learn about the traditions of those before us, and focus on learning and appreciating one’s culture.Â
Symbolism and Decorations
The traditional colors of Kwanzaa are black, green, and red. On our table, you will find traditional African cloth patterns. You will also find a Kwanzaa kinara with the seven candles–one to represent every day of the celebration.
It was important for me to decorate and make sure that my children were exposed to the symbolism. When children see the symbolism and having the daily conversations of the seven key principles, their young minds continue to ask questions and will also see the Christmas tree right across the room and can compare the similarities and differences.
Books to Check Out
There are so many books that you can share with your children to read about Kwanzaa or introduce them to the holiday. Here are just a few that I recommend:
- Kwanzaa: How to Celebrate it in your Home by Kathleen M. Taylor
- My First Kwanzaa by Karen Katz
- Kwanzaa – (Holidays Around the World) by Lisa J Amstutz
I view this as a time to continue to have conversations with my children and my family about my African roots of heritage. This is as a week of vocal gratitude. I view this as a time that others can learn about the traditions as I share our journey of learning and celebrating. It is a celebration of unity, family, and gratitude. I am looking forward to sharing it with my boys and experiencing it this year.
