Symbols of Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa means the first fruits. The colors of Kwanzaa are red, black and green. Kwanzaa is a holiday celebrated by African Americans.

These are candles. They are called Mishumaa Saba.

This is a Kinara. It is a candleholder.

The boy is lighting the candles on the kinara. There are seven days of Kwanzaa.

There are seven principles of Kwanzaa. One principle is celebrated each day. Day 1 UMOJA (oo-MOH-ja) Unity Togetherness, we help each other Day 2 KUJICHAGULIA (coo-gee-cha-goo-lee-ahh) Self- Determination Thinking or deciding for oneself. Day 3 UJIMA (oo-Jee-mah) Collective work and reponsibility Work together to help others, make life better. Day 4 UJAMMA (oo-jah-MAH) Cooperative Economics Build own businesses, create own job Day 5 NIA(NEE-ah) Purpose Reason for living, be the great people that we are. Day 6 KUUMBA (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity Make our communities beautiful, use hands and minds to create new things. Day 7 IMANI (ee-MAH-nee) Faith Believe in ourselves, our families, and the future.

This is the flag of Kwanzaa. It is called a Bendera. The colors are red, black and green. The colors of Kwanzaa.

This is corn. It is also called muhindi.

Families use corn to symbolize the children in a family.

This is a basket of fruit. Fruits and vegetables are called mazao.

This is a cornucopia or horn of plenty. It holds fruits and vegetables.

This is a cup. It is a unity cup. It is called a kikombe.

These are placemats. They are called Mkekas.

People give homemade gifts at Kwanzaa. They are called Zawadi.

Some of the gifts they make are musical instruments and dolls.

Families spend time together during Kwanzaa.

On the last day of Kwanzaa families have a feast called a Karamu.