Kwanzaa was established in 1966 by Dr.Maulana Karenga* for American blacks to honor and celebrate themselves, their history and their African roots. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26th to January 1st every year. Decorating for Kwanzaa is very important. Traditionally the colors of Kwanzaa are red, green, and black. Black symbolizes the people, red symbolizes the struggle which they have endured, and green symbolizes their hope and the future. Traditional African Items are essential to decorating for Kwanzaa. This article will help you prepare your home for Kwanzaa.
Essential to Kwanzaa is the table covering which is a beautiful piece of African cloth, and a mkeka is placed in the center, which will then hold other symbols of Kwanzaa. The table is the absolute center of Kwanzaa, and thus is your showpiece of decor.You will want it to be well dressed. To best honor the African roots the cloth should be an import from Africa. Many families prefer that cloth be in the colors of Kwanzaa. Africa Imports is an incredible resource selling items which were made in Africa. They have beautiful lengths of African cloth that would honor any table. Their Kente fabrics beginning at just $29.95 each are perfect for Kwanzaa. If your cloth is an African printed fabric that is not red, green, and black, you will want to choose other pieces to accent your decor. Traditional African art is of course, essential to Kwanzaa, and it offers you an opportunity to accent your cloth.
Choose your Africa art with care, and consideration. Each piece should reflect your personality, as well as Africa’s rich history. Artist Beth Restrick, of Glimpses Of Africa has the highest quality, most beautiful, and touching African art that you could have the opportunity to own. Her representations of Kruger make you feel as though you are there, and each ripple and line in her lions shows their incredible strength and pride. The fulcrum gallery also has some wonderful African prints. They have many pieces showing the beauty and grace of African women, which are simply stunning. When hanging your art consider placing them in symmetry to offer depth to your decor.
Dr. Karenga tells us that in decorating for Kwanzaa we must include art objects as well as wall art, African baskets,and harvest symbols.ForAfricanArt.com is an invaluable source of African art objects. The ebony carvings are vital to Kwanzaa, offering us the opportunity to showcase Africa artistic history in our homes. For African Art has a variety of ebony carvings to select from. The African face masks are another excellent choice for Kwanzaa decoration. Each of these has perfect form and function, and you can visualize the brave African warriors that might use them.
African Baskets are essential to Kwanzaa decor, and help to hold the symbols of Kwanzaa.Overstock.com has beautiful African baskets. The Africa Accents fruit bowl from Ghana is exactly right for holding the symbols, and is only $16.95, which makes this affordable, while providing income to a crafts person in Ghana. I found the Zulu Herb Basket to be stunning, and highly attractive. When choosing your African baskets to decorate for Kwanzaa, remember to match the African cloth which you have chosen to dress your table.Kwanzaa baskets throughout your home will not only hold symbols and offer beautiful decor, but help your family to focus on the meaning and purpose of Kwanzaa throughout the home.
I hope this Kwanzaa finds you blessed by a bountiful harvest, good health and peace. I encourage you as you meditate and focus on African heritage to consider a donation to an African charity. There is much need in Africa for so very many things.
* Also known as Ron Karenga, and Ron Everett.
http://africaimports.com/items.asp?Cc=Fabric&Bc;=
http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/greetings_and.shtml#go to colors
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Karenga
http://glimpsesofafrica.googlepages.com/
http://www.fulcrumgallery.com/ProductList.aspx?cat=categories_subjnew_worldculture_african&source;=GoogleAdWords&ad;=africanculture&gclid;=CMeUsc7_gJ4CFUmZ2Aodw2XWpg
http://www.overstock.com/search?keywords=african+baskets&taxonomy;=sto6&searchtype;=Header
