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Kwanzaa: A Family Affair
"A handbook for parents and children about celebrating the African-American harvest festival. The first two chapters define the holiday: its principles, vocabulary, etc. The third chapter takes readers through the seven days, describing what to do and sometimes how to do it. There is also a chapter with crafts....Another chapter offers ideas for gifts and recipes. Walter uses the tone of a personal reminiscence to great effect here....A worthwhile purchase."--School Library Journal.
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
4 people want to read
About the author
Mildred Pitts Walter
35 books10 followersDelegate to the 2nd World Black and African Festival of the Arts & Culture in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1977. Graduate of Southern University with an MA in education from Antioch College. She lives in Denver, Colorado, and travels widely as an educational consultant.
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December 6, 2023
A VERY HELPFUL GUIDE FOR FAMILIES CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAY
Author Mildred Pitts Walter wrote in the introductory section of this 1995 book, “On the following pages you will find some suggestions to help you and your family create activities that have special meaning to YOU. You’ll find suggestions for things to do each day of Kwanzaa, as well as further topics for discussion and a suggested reading list to help you enhance your activities. At the end of the book is a special crafts section that gives directions for making games, gifts, and the specific things you will need for the celebration. Recipes for foods that many African-Americans find special are also included.”
After listing the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) of Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith), she explains, “There are seven basic symbols used to perform the rituals in the Kwanzaa celebration. These are also named in Swahili. They are: 1. KIKOMBE CHA UMOJA (unity cup): This special cup holds the drink that is used to honor our ancestors in a toast. After the toast to the ancestors, all members of the family drink from this cup. 2. KINARA (candle holder): This symbolizes our very first ancestors, man and woman, the makers of our people and principles. 3. MAZAO (crops): These represent our connection with African peoples who celebrate the planting and harvesting of foods. Crops can also remind us of our productivity; of our having worked together to achieve our goals for the year. 4. MISHUMAA SABA (seven candles): The seven candles symbolize the seven principles. The black candle in the center of the kinara, or candle holder, stands for African peoples; the three red candles stand for our struggle; and the three green ones stand for our young people. 5. MKEKA (woven mat): The mat is a symbol of tradition and history. Who we are and what we do are tightly woven together. 6. VIBUNZI (ears of corn): Each ear of corn represents a child in the family. Each kernel of corn represents generations of children to come. 7. ZAWADI (gifts): These are symbols of commitments kept by children and promises kept by parents. Gifts are given with our struggle in mind. The best gifts are documents of our history (books, paintings, sculpture) and things made with our creative minds and hands. There is another symbol: the bendera (black, red, and green flag). The flag was first used by Marcus Garvey… the colors represent the same things as the colors of the mishumaa saba, or seven candles.” (Pg. 19-21)
She suggests, “At least two weeks before the Kwanzaa celebration begins, send invitations to friends and family stating the time your ceremony will start on December 26… Now is the time to decide just how festive you want your Kwanzaa to be. Some families decorate the room… People may wear African clothing… Some serve a full meal before or after the ceremony. Others serve only simple refreshments… for the first six days, knowing that the seventh day will end with a feast.” (Pg. 30-31)
She provides instructions/outline for each day’s celebration. The book also has ideas for making symbols, gifts and food for Kwanza; they she gives instructions for how each of the seven symbols can be made at home. She also suggests games that the entire family can play.
The book concludes with a Swahili glossary, and guide to pronunciation.
This book will be of great interest to families celebrating the holiday.
Author Mildred Pitts Walter wrote in the introductory section of this 1995 book, “On the following pages you will find some suggestions to help you and your family create activities that have special meaning to YOU. You’ll find suggestions for things to do each day of Kwanzaa, as well as further topics for discussion and a suggested reading list to help you enhance your activities. At the end of the book is a special crafts section that gives directions for making games, gifts, and the specific things you will need for the celebration. Recipes for foods that many African-Americans find special are also included.”
After listing the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) of Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith), she explains, “There are seven basic symbols used to perform the rituals in the Kwanzaa celebration. These are also named in Swahili. They are: 1. KIKOMBE CHA UMOJA (unity cup): This special cup holds the drink that is used to honor our ancestors in a toast. After the toast to the ancestors, all members of the family drink from this cup. 2. KINARA (candle holder): This symbolizes our very first ancestors, man and woman, the makers of our people and principles. 3. MAZAO (crops): These represent our connection with African peoples who celebrate the planting and harvesting of foods. Crops can also remind us of our productivity; of our having worked together to achieve our goals for the year. 4. MISHUMAA SABA (seven candles): The seven candles symbolize the seven principles. The black candle in the center of the kinara, or candle holder, stands for African peoples; the three red candles stand for our struggle; and the three green ones stand for our young people. 5. MKEKA (woven mat): The mat is a symbol of tradition and history. Who we are and what we do are tightly woven together. 6. VIBUNZI (ears of corn): Each ear of corn represents a child in the family. Each kernel of corn represents generations of children to come. 7. ZAWADI (gifts): These are symbols of commitments kept by children and promises kept by parents. Gifts are given with our struggle in mind. The best gifts are documents of our history (books, paintings, sculpture) and things made with our creative minds and hands. There is another symbol: the bendera (black, red, and green flag). The flag was first used by Marcus Garvey… the colors represent the same things as the colors of the mishumaa saba, or seven candles.” (Pg. 19-21)
She suggests, “At least two weeks before the Kwanzaa celebration begins, send invitations to friends and family stating the time your ceremony will start on December 26… Now is the time to decide just how festive you want your Kwanzaa to be. Some families decorate the room… People may wear African clothing… Some serve a full meal before or after the ceremony. Others serve only simple refreshments… for the first six days, knowing that the seventh day will end with a feast.” (Pg. 30-31)
She provides instructions/outline for each day’s celebration. The book also has ideas for making symbols, gifts and food for Kwanza; they she gives instructions for how each of the seven symbols can be made at home. She also suggests games that the entire family can play.
The book concludes with a Swahili glossary, and guide to pronunciation.
This book will be of great interest to families celebrating the holiday.
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