Communities in Virginia
Session 9: An American Holiday & African Tradition

Materials

• World map
• Books related to the celebration of Kwanzaa

Instructional Activities

1. Locate the continent of Africa on a world map. Trace the route a person would have to travel to reach Virginia. Make a list of some of the countries in Africa.
   
   
2. Introduce the holiday of Kwanzaa. Explain that Dr. Maulana Karenga started this holiday in America in 1966. The purpose of the African-American holiday is to remember African harvest holidays and honor African values and traditions. (Emphasize that not all African Americans celebrate this holiday.) The holiday begins on December 26th and is celebrated for seven days. Families gather together to give thanks, remember family members, look back over the past year, and make goals for the upcoming year. Ask students if this reminds them of two other holidays celebrated by others (Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day).
   
   
3. Read a related book to students, or have students visit a Web site about the celebration of Kwanzaa, such as “History Channel Presents Kwanzaa” at  <http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/kwanzaa/>.
   
   
4. Describe significant facts about Kwanzaa, and record the information onto a chart. Be sure to identify and discuss the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The seven principles are:
   •    Unity (Umoja)
   •    Self-determination (kujichagulia). This can be explained as believing in yourself.
   •    Collective work and responsibility (ujima). This can be explained as sharing.
   •    Cooperative economics (ujamaa). This can be explained as helping one another.
   •    Purpose (nia). This deals with setting goals.
   •    Creativity (kuumba)
   •    Faith (imani)
   
   
5. Select a Kwanzaa craft for students to create. Visit Web sites such as the following for ideas:
   •    <http://www.thebestkidsbooksite.com/kwanzaacrafts.cfm>. 
   •    <http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/kwanza/>.