Kwanzaa

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Written by Lin DonnIllustrated by Phillip Martin
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Kwanzaa is not a religious or a political
holiday. Kwanzaa is a reflective holiday, created
by an American teacher in the mid-1960's during
the Civil Rights Movement.
Kwanzaa was created in an effort to pull the
African-American community together in pride and
unity.
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Kwanzaa is based on ideas borrowed from Africa,
froman ancient Swahili seven-day-long festival.
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Kwanzaa is a seven day event, designed to
celebrate the ancient African heritage shared by
modern African-Americans.
Its a wonderful event!
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Kwanzaa begins each year on December 26 and lasts
through the first day in January.
The symbols of Kwanzaa are African harvest
symbols, like ears of dried corn and colorfully
woven tablecloths. People decorate their homes
for Kwanzaa.
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An important symbol is the wooden candlestick.
This candlestick holds 7 candles in a row.
The center candle is black.
There are 3 red candles on one side
There are 3 green candles on the other.
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Day One The black candle is lit. This is a day
of togetherness, sharing feelings.
The family gathers and shares how they feel about
each other. Many problems are cleared up during
this day, simply by talking about them. 
The black candle signifies unity, which is the
central theme of Kwanzaa.
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Day Two  A red candle is lit. This is a day of
togetherness, sharing traditions. 
Some people might teach others how to braid hair
or how to play an African drum.
Others might share a family recipe.Kwanzaa
Recipes!
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Day Three A green candle is lit. This is day of
togetherness, sharing a common goal.
Everyone in the family works together to get a
chore done - perhaps paint a fence or clean out
the garage.  
What is important is that everyone works together
to get the job done. 
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Day Four A red candle is lit. This is a day of
togetherness, sharing a family gift. 
A gift is either made or purchased, something the
whole family can enjoy. In years to come, when
people see this item, they will remember this
Kwanzaa. 
It can be anything from a house to a cookie
cutter. 
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Day Five A green candle is lit. This is a day of
togetherness, sharing dreams and hopes.
This is an especially good day to ask yourself
and each other, "What do you wish to accomplish
in the coming new year?"
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Day Six A red candle is lit. This is a day of
togetherness, sharing creativity. 
First, everyone in the family creates something -
a poem, a story, a dance, a painting. 
In the early evening, the family gathers. Each
family member shares what they have created. 
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Day Seven A green candle is lit. This is a day
of togetherness, sharing a feast.
The family gathers and enjoys baked ham, roasted
yams, collard greens, thick bread, pies and
desserts! 
It is a wonderful feast!
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And that is Kwanzaa. This holiday was greatly
enjoyed in ancient Africa, just as it is enjoyed
today.
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