Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Heritage

Seven Principles - Let the celebration begin! A Kwanzaa candleholder (kinara) is the centerpiece of your Kwanzaa celebration.<BR><BR>December 26 is the first day of Kwanzaa. If I ask,<BR>“Habari gani?” you may respond “Umoja.”<BR><BR>The week-long celebration is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance.

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Seven Principles - Let the celebration begin! A Kwanzaa candleholder (kinara) is the centerpiece of your Kwanzaa celebration.<BR><BR>December 26 is the first day of Kwanzaa. If I ask,<BR>“Habari gani?” you may respond “Umoja.”<BR><BR>The week-long celebration is based on the Nguzo Saba (seven guiding principles), one for each day of the observance.

Green, Red & Black - Decorate your party room in the traditional colors of the holiday using streamers, African prints, art and maps on tables and walls. Most importantly, set aside a special place for your Kwanzaa items – kinara, candles, colorful fruits and vegetables, corm to represent the children, a unity cup and traditional Kwanzaa gifts (handmade items).

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Green, Red & Black - Decorate your party room in the traditional colors of the holiday using streamers, African prints, art and maps on tables and walls. Most importantly, set aside a special place for your Kwanzaa items – kinara, candles, colorful fruits and vegetables, corm to represent the children, a unity cup and traditional Kwanzaa gifts (handmade items).

Beat of the Drum - What’s Kwanzaa without the sound of drums and African rhythms? Any music with African roots can be used to accompany the celebration. Try soca to Caribbean sounds from Haiti and South America to help set the mood. Kwanzaa CDs are available everywhere.

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Beat of the Drum - What’s Kwanzaa without the sound of drums and African rhythms? Any music with African roots can be used to accompany the celebration. Try soca to Caribbean sounds from Haiti and South America to help set the mood. Kwanzaa CDs are available everywhere.

Eat Together - For dinner, feature the yummiest of African-American dishes along with Caribbean, African and South American specialties. Save your biggest showstoppers for the feast of Karamu, celebrated on the sixth night of Kwanzaa, December 31.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Start your meal with fried okra or an African stew.

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Eat Together - For dinner, feature the yummiest of African-American dishes along with Caribbean, African and South American specialties. Save your biggest showstoppers for the feast of Karamu, celebrated on the sixth night of Kwanzaa, December 31.<BR><BR>Start your meal with fried okra or an African stew.

Drink Together - Accompany your main dish with hearty sides like corn casserole or a spicy seafood gumbo. Then, wash it down with beer – Ginger Beer. Despite its name, this West African drink is non-alcoholic and very refreshing.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;For dessert, try zucchini bread, sweet potato pie and benne cakes.

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Drink Together - Accompany your main dish with hearty sides like corn casserole or a spicy seafood gumbo. Then, wash it down with beer – Ginger Beer. Despite its name, this West African drink is non-alcoholic and very refreshing.<BR><BR>For dessert, try zucchini bread, sweet potato pie and benne cakes.

Play Together - Kwanzaa is a family affair, so invite your nearest and dearest to celebrate family, community and our rich African culture. Play games that encourage interaction, like group sing-alongs and poetry readings. Dance performances are also a great way to get the party jumpin’ and keep guests in the holiday spirit.

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Play Together - Kwanzaa is a family affair, so invite your nearest and dearest to celebrate family, community and our rich African culture. Play games that encourage interaction, like group sing-alongs and poetry readings. Dance performances are also a great way to get the party jumpin’ and keep guests in the holiday spirit.