PaginePaginepagineapp.comWhat is Kwanzaa? A free printable guide for kids to the seven-day celebration of family, community and African heritage — its principles, symbols and traditions.
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African American and Pan-African family, community and culture, held every year from 26 December to 1 January. It was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. The name comes from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza,” meaning “first fruits” of the harvest. Kwanzaa is a cultural celebration, not a religious one, so families of any faith can celebrate it.
Each day of Kwanzaa, people greet each other with “Habari gani?” — Swahili for “What’s the news?” The answer is the name of that day’s principle, such as “Umoja!”
To stay together as a family, a community and a people.
To decide for ourselves who we are and to speak for ourselves.
To work together, help each other and solve problems as a community.
To build and support businesses in our community and share in their success.
To make building up our community our shared goal.
To use our creativity to make our community more beautiful than we found it. The karamu, a big feast with food, music, dance and stories, is often held on this day.
To believe in our families, our teachers, our leaders and ourselves.
The kinara is a candle holder for the mishumaa saba — the seven candles: one black, three red and three green. Black stands for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope. The black candle in the centre is lit first, and one more candle is lit each day.
Mkeka — a woven mat that holds the other symbols Mazao — fruits and vegetables, for the harvest Muhindi — ears of corn, one for each child in the family Kikombe cha Umoja — the unity cup, shared in honour of ancestors Zawadi — gifts, often handmade or books, given to children
This free Kwanzaa printable explains the seven principles and symbols simply and accurately for children — great for classrooms and families. Find stories to match in the Kwanzaa collection.