Whether your family celebrates Kwanzaa or your class is learning about it, here's a simple, accurate guide for children, with free printables from our Kwanzaa page.

What is Kwanzaa?

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Its name comes from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza, “first fruits” of the harvest. It is a cultural celebration, not a religious one, so families of many faiths celebrate it. Each day people greet each other with “Habari gani?” (“What’s the news?”) and answer with that day’s principle.

The seven principles (Nguzo Saba)

  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

Print them on our Kwanzaa principles & symbols sheet and try two writing prompts for each principle.

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The kinara and the symbols

The kinara holds seven candles, the mishumaa saba: one black (the people), three red (the struggle) and three green (the future). The black candle in the centre is lit first, then one more each day. Other symbols are the mkeka (woven mat), mazao (fruit and vegetables), muhindi (an ear of corn for each child), the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup) and zawadi (gifts, often handmade or books). Many families hold a feast, the karamu, on 31 December.

The best Kwanzaa books for kids

  • Ages 2–5: My First Kwanzaa (Karen Katz), K Is for Kwanzaa (Juwanda G. Ford), Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa (Donna L. Washington)
  • Ages 4–8: Seven Spools of Thread (Angela Shelf Medearis), The Gifts of Kwanzaa (Synthia Saint James), Together for Kwanzaa (Juwanda G. Ford)
  • Ages 7–11: The Children’s Book of Kwanzaa (Dolores Johnson)

Storytelling is part of many celebrations, so we've gathered free Anansi stories and West African folk tales on our Kwanzaa page, with a printable Kwanzaa reading list.

Kwanzaa activities and worksheets

Give a book as a zawadi. Books are one of the traditional Kwanzaa gifts for children.

Find Kwanzaa books, worksheets and African folk tales on Pagine.

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