December 27 – Kwanzaa

Posted on December 27, 2020

This week, from December 26 to January 1, is a celebration of universal African heritage and culture. Participants light a kinara (or candleholder), feast together, and give gifts.

The holiday was created by Ron Karenga in 1966. Karenga established symbolic colors and seven principles of African cultures (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith), and he encouraged black people in American to research and reconnect with their roots in Africa.

Design some 

kente cloth.

Kente cloth is a kind of silk fabric made by sewing together woven strips. Although it is native to the country of Ghana, it has become a symbol of all of Africa, and some women dress in kaftans made of kente cloth during Kawanzaa celebrations.

To make your own kente design, cut strips of white paper and decorate each with a geometric design. Use bright markers to made the designs, according to the symbolism of the various colors:

Red - Life and Blood
Blue - Innocence
Green -Mother Africa, Mother Earth
Black - People and Unity
Gold - Strength and Fortune

Here are some more craft ideas revolving around kente strips or cloth.

Do some Kwanzaa crafts. There are loads of ideas here.

Color Kwanzaa pages.

Also on this date:

Stanley Sports Day in the Falkland Islands

Howdy Doody Day 

Ta Chiu in Hong Kong

Anniversary of the opening of Radio City Music Hall

Anniversary of the debut of Peter Pan

Kwanza (from 12/26/11 to 1/1/12)

(original post)

Astronomer Johannes Kepler's birthday

Microbiologist Louis Pasteur's birthday

Visit the Zoo Day

Anniversary of Carrie Nation smashing a bar

Anniversary of the passage of the Laws of Burgos

Day of the Constitution in North Korea

Plan ahead:

Check out my Pinterest pages on:

• December holidays
• December birthdays
• Historical anniversaries in December

And here are my Pinterest boards for:

• January holidays 
• January birthdays 
• Historical anniversaries in January