Kwanzaa 2024 at African Art

Kwanzaa, celebrated annually from December 26 to January 1, is an international holiday that honors African heritage and African American culture. A harvest festival, Kwanzaa is organized around the Nguzo Saba, seven guiding principles that are celebrated individually each day of the holiday.

The principles included are:

• Umoja (unity)
• Kujichagulia (self-determination)
• Ujima (collective work and responsibility)
• Ujamaa (cooperative economics)
• Nia (purpose)
• Kuumba (creativity)
• Imani (faith)

Drop in to one of the artmaking workshops and exercise your Kuumba (creativity)!

Kwanzaa Creative Arts Workshops

11 A.M. to 3 P.M.

Education Workshop (Sublevel 2)

• Thursday, December 26: Create a Kinara (candleholder)

• Friday, December 27: Create a Zawadi (gift) such as a card or wall hanging

• Monday, December 30: Design a book cover and create a story that celebrates Nia (purpose) and Kuumba (creativity)

• Tuesday, December 31: Weave a Mkeka (a woven mat, a traditional symbol of Kwanzaa)

Grab a scavenger hunt from the Visitor Information Desk in the Pavilion and explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa through African Art’s collection on display throughout the galleries!

Host or Publisher National Museum of African Art