Below is the text our teachers will be using during Morning Meeting during our 12 Days of Peace. In your newsletters this month will be more programs we’ll be doing this month to teach our scholars about generosity, including Angel Fish Families and Book on Every Bed.
Kwanzaa is a time for African-Americans to celebrate their African heritage. A teacher named Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa so that African-Americans would have a special time to come together and celebrate. It’s based on an ancient African Swahili harvest celebration that is seven days long and starts on December 26.
Kwanzaa is celebrated by lighting a special wooden candlestick that holds three red candles, three green candles, and one black candle. On day one, the black candle—that stands for unity—is lit. Everyone in the family shares how they feel about what’s going on in the world and their lives. Talking about things helps us work through our problems. On day two, the family lights a red candle and shares traditions. These could be anything, but most families will celebrate African traditions, like braiding hair or cooking African food. On day three, they light a green candle and work together to get something done, like fixing something in the house. On day four, the family spends pennies they’ve saved all year to buy a family gift, something they will enjoy together. On day five, they light a green candle and share their goals, hopes, and dreams for the new year and beyond. On day six, they light a red candle, and everyone shares something they created (a story, art, dance, etc.). On the seventh day, they light the last green candle and have a big feast!