{"id":4317,"date":"2020-12-18T05:42:48","date_gmt":"2020-12-18T10:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/?p=4317"},"modified":"2024-09-17T05:38:46","modified_gmt":"2024-09-17T09:38:46","slug":"ideas-for-teaching-kwanzaa-to-kids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.helpteaching.com\/blog\/ideas-for-teaching-kwanzaa-to-kids.html","title":{"rendered":"Ideas for Teaching Kwanzaa to Kids"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Teaching<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Every year, people around the world celebrate a seven-day festival called Kwanzaa.  If you want to emphasize character education with your students, then this is the holiday for you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Kwanzaa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kwanzaa is the African American and pan-African festival which celebrates family, community and culture.  Created in 1966 by activist and author Dr. Maulana Karenga, the holiday\u2019s rituals promote African traditions and \u201cNguzo Saba\u201d, the seven principles of African heritage that Karenga described as a \u201ccommunitarian African philosophy\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Karenga\u2019s goal in creating Kwanzaa was to “give Blacks an alternative to the existing holiday and give Blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society”.  Despite this, people of all ethnic backgrounds can celebrate Kwanzaa, as the principles highlighted in the festival are universal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When is Kwanzaa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Though it is celebrated in late December, Kwanzaa is not an \u201cAfrican\u201d Christmas celebration, but dovetails nicely with the Christmas ideals of joy, hope, love and giving.  It also fits well with the values taught during Hanukkah.  Because it\u2019s a celebration of ideals, people of all faiths can feel comfortable celebrating Kwanzaa.  Unlike holidays in the world\u2019s major religions which are often tied to the lunar cycle, Kwanzaa is always December 26-January 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What does the word \u201cKwanzaa\u201d mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

“Kwanza” is a Swahili word meaning “first”, drawn from the Swahili phrase “matunda ya kwanza” or “first fruits”.  Choosing a word from Swahili is significant as it is the most widely spoken language in Africa, spanning national boundaries, and thus establishing Kwanzaa as an inclusive holiday.  Kwanzaa does not originate in any of the 55 countries on the continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is celebrated during Kwanzaa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Five common sets of values are at the center of the festival: ingathering, reverence, commemoration, recommitment, and celebration.  The seven principles of Kwanzaa use Swahili words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n