4 family-friendly Kwanzaa traditions

Kwanzaa is a harvest holiday that originated in Africa and is now celebrated around the world. Here are 4 family-friendly traditions that you and your loved ones can follow when celebrating this annual holiday.

Part of the Kwanzaa holiday is celebrating the harvest and the food you can grow from the earth. Because of this, it is customary to have a large feast with family and friends on the sixth day of the holiday. This is a great opportunity for your family to cook autumnal fruits and vegetables and invite friends, family and neighbours to enjoy the meal with you. After the feast, many families enjoy traditional music and dancing.

The gift exchange tradition of Kwanzaa is different from Christmas or Hanukkah in that the holiday calls for the exchange of handmade gifts. Since the holiday is about hard work and creativity, many people choose to do a homemade gift exchange with their family members. Make a gift that suits each family member, then exchange them all during the holiday. The result will not only be a personalized gift exchange, but also one that allows you and your family members to unleash your creativity.

Kwanzaa has seven associated values or concepts: unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Families light a candle each night of Kwanzaa, and it is a tradition for each member of the family to talk about how the holiday's principle of the day affected their life that day. By taking turns to talk, your family members can get to know more about each other and their experiences.

In addition to the seven values, Kwanzaa also has seven symbols, and it's traditional for families to sit around and discuss what each of the symbols means. The seven symbols are the mat, the unity cup, fruits and vegetables, the candle holder, the seven candles, corn, and gifts. During Kwanzaa, your family can take a bit of time each day to understand what each symbol means and why it is in the home. Some families have the children research the symbols and report back to their family members about what they mean and why they are important.

With its rich traditions and emphasis on togetherness, Kwanzaa offers an excellent opportunity for your family to bond and enjoy each other's company.