Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a happy holiday for African-Americans. Kwanzaa began on December 26,

1966 and was started by Dr. Moulana Ron Karenga. He got the idea from a very old
African harvest celebration. The word Kwanzaa means "first fruits" in Swahili, a
language used in Africa. This celebration lasts 7 days starting on December 26 and
ending on January 1. People celebrate 7 ideas on Kwanzaa, one each day. People should
use these ideas all year to unify the family, understand their history, and live better lives.
The seven ideas of Kwanzaa are:
Umoja (oo-MOH-jah) meaning unify,
Kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-uh) meaning control of your life,
Ujima (oo-jee-MAH) meaning working together and responsibility,
Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH) meaning sharing money,
Nia (NEE-ah) meaning having a purpose,
Kuumba (koo-UM-bah) meaning to be creative,
Imani (ee-MAH-nee) meaning having faith.
People celebrate Kwanzaa in big family groups. First they put a straw mat on the floor.
Then they place the Kinara (kee-na-rah), the seven candle candlestick holder, in the
center of the mat. The candles should be red, black, and green. Next they put ears of
corn on the mat. There is always one ear of corn for each child. The last thing they do is
place the gifts, unity cup, soil and water, and some fruit on the mat.
On the first day of Kwanzaa the leader says "Habari Gani" which means "What's the
news?" Then the other people in the room say the name of the idea of the day. For
example on the first day they would say, "Umoja." Then someone might pray. Then a
child lights the candles, one for the first day, two for the second day, etc. Then they share
stories about the idea of the day, and how they can use it in their lives. Finally, they
might say a prayer to end
On the last day of Kwanzaa there is a feast. Families and friends eat, drink, sing, dance,
give gifts and think about how they can use the ideas of Kwanzaa to make their lives
better.

Find the words you don't know. Look them up in the dictionary.

English word
African-American
Harvest
Unify
Control
Responsibility
Sharing
Purpose
Creative
Faith
Straw
Mat
Candle
Candlestick
Ear of Corn
Soil
News
Pray
Feast

English Meaning

Chinese

Questions
1. Who celebrates Kwanzaa?
2. When is Kwanzaa celebrated?
3. What is the history of Kwanzaa?
4. What do people eat on Hanukkah?
5. What are the special things used on Hanukkah?
6. Why do people celebrate Hanukkah?

True/False. If the statement is false, correct it.

1. A latke is a game Jews play.

T/F

2. The dreidel has nine candles.

T/F

3. Judah Maccabee was a king.

T/F

4. Judah Maccabee had four brothers.

T/F

5. Menorah means hammer.

T/F

6. Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Potatoes.

T/F

7. The miracle is that the oil lasted for 12 days.

T/F