Celebrate or learn a little about this holiday with the Kwanzaa Candle Craft! Kwanzaa (the youngest of the major winter holidays) was conceived in the United States, and is not based directly on ancient religious festivals. Africana professor and activist Maulana Karenga created the week-long celebration back in 1966 by drawing from a number of African traditions.

The holiday starts on December 26 and ends on January 1. Each of the seven days corresponds to the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity (umoja), self-determination (kujichagulia), collective responsibility (ujima), cooperative economics (ujamaa), purpose (nia), creativity (kuumba) and faith (imani).

HUNTER MOYLER – Newsweek Article

To Get Started:

• Toilet Paper Roll
• Paint
• Paint Brushes
• Paper Towels – to wipe brushes
• Cup of Water – to rinse brushes
• Plate
• Tape or Glue Stick
• Construction Paper
• Glitter or Glitter Paper – glitter paper can be used for a less messy alternative

Instructions:

1. Paint whatever design you would like on your candle. A great chance for extra learning is to look up various African patterns and the meaning behind them. Another easy choice is to use the Kwanzaa colors to create something of your own.
2. While the paint is drying, make the flame. In the picture below, you can see we either glued the flame to the inner cover or created a cover for the flame to slide into.
3. Enjoy your candles! ?

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