Kwanzaa is a family holiday that lasts from December 26 to January 1. Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor, and his friends created Kwanzaa in 1966. They wanted African Americans to have a special holiday to celebrate family and community.
Mkeka Craft
The mkeka (m-KAY-kah) is the woven mat that decorates the Kwanzaa table. It is usually woven from straw or other natural fibers. Kwanzaa symbols such as the kinara, the seven candles, the unity cup, the ears of corn, and the basket of fruits and vegetables are placed on a mkeka.
What You Will Need
ruler
pencil
scissors
yellow construction paper
light-brown construction paper
What to Do
1. Use a ruler and pencil to draw lines that are 2 inches apart and 18 inches long on yellow construction
paper. Use a ruler and pencil to draw lines that are 2 inches apart and 18 inches long on the light-brown
construction paper.
2. Cut along the lines on both sheets of paper.
3. Weave all the strips of light-brown paper and all the strips of yellow paper together.
4. Glue all loose ends. Let dry.