We can promote and teach the principles of Kwanzaa through the act of gift (zawadi) giving and via the selection of the gift. In “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture” Maulana Karenga (the creator of Kwanzaa) provides basic guidelines for the giving of gifts on the last day of Kwanzaa.
The main guidelines are:
- Children are the main recipient of Kwanzaa gifts
- Gifts are given as acknowledgement of commitments made and kept
- Gifts are not mandatory nor excessive
Karenga states that Kwanzaa gifts should include two items: a book and a heritage symbol; and that those gifts should never serve as a substitution for love, attention and involvement with a child.
The author also adds that gifts be “instructive and inspirational” and acknowledge the recipients “commitments to a principled and productive life” that benefits the community.
At My Daily Kwanzaa blog we highly recommended the “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture” as a foundation of information about Kwanzaa, and other black or African themed books. Items such as the “Pan-African Heart Pin” and other Kwanzaa jewelry are also items that can serve as heritage symbols. And equal or better in value are the gift items that you make yourself using your own creativity (kuumba).
Harambee! Let’s all work together!
Editor, My Daily Kwanzaa
Reference: “Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture”, by Maulana Karenga, University of Sankore Press, Los Angeles, California. 1998. ISBN 0-943412-21-8.
Video: Youtube. Expert Village, “Kwanzaa Traditions & Customs : Kwanzaa Plants, Books and Gifts”
More information and supplies that can be used to practice and celebrate Kwanzaa can be found at the My Daily Kwanzaa Store.
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