Habari Gani 🖤
Kwanzaa is a time for families and communities to come together to remember the past and to celebrate Black culture. Habari Gani is a Swahili term meaning “What is the news?” It is spoken when greeting others during Kwanzaa. The appropriate response is to say the name of the principle for that day.
Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The seven principles which form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent. These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
I’m excited to celebrate Kwanzaa with my family and truly make it our own. 🖤❤️💚
I have included some books suggested from https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/seven-principles-kwanzaa. There are many activities on this page for families and children as well to celebrate!
To learn more about reading outside your bubble to include learning about holidays like Kwanzaa through books and activities in your class room, preorder my book, Read Outside Your Bubble: Expand Your Bookshelf, Expand Your World.
Love. Teach. Bless. 