December 31 The sixth day of Kwanzaa Kuumba (koo-UH-mbah) Kuumba means creating.
People create crafts and music and dances. They are also creative when they make their own neighborhoods more beautiful. The celebrating of the sixth day of Kwanzaa is special. All during the week the family has come together for the Kwanzaa ceremony. On the sixth day, many families join together. They often meet at a community center. There is a feast called Karanu (kah-Rah-moo). It is a big celebration. People bring African food to share. There might be peanut soup, collard greens, chicken, fish, black-eyed peas, fruit, and bread. The room is decorated with black, red, and green banners. A large straw mat is placed on the floor. The candle holder, basket of fruit and vegetables, cup, ears of corn, and gifts are put on the mat. The first five candles are lit. Then another red candle is lit. People talk about being creative. Everyone tells what they can do or make. They talk about how they can do or make their neighborhood more beautiful. A man tells about the chair he fixed. A woman talks about the clothes she is making for her children. Through music, plays, dancing, art, storytelling, and poetry people are creative. By being creative, people make their lives more beautiful. Then the ceremony with the cup takes place. Family members are honored and remembered. Some people call out names of famous African Americans. Someone may give a speech. She may talk about heroes like Mary McLeod Bethune, Frederick Douglas, and Martin Luther King, Jr. After the speech, it time to share the meal. All help themselves to food. There is always more than enough. This is a happy time with talking and laughing. After the meal, there is African music and dancing. The dancers wear African clothes. The dances tell stories. Some dances give thanks for the rain and crops. Some are harvest or victory dances. Music is played on many different drums. Some families like to sing together. Other families know how to do some of the African dances. There can be music and dances any night of Kwanzaa. There is always music and dancing at the big feast on December 31. At last it is time to give the children their gifts. These gifts can be given anytime during Kwanzaa, but most families wait until the sixth day. Children work all year to earn their gifts. They try to remember the seven principles. Each child receives two gifts. One is always a book. The other gift might be an African picture or carving. It might be something that belonged to a relative. After the children open their gifts, everyone sings. They are happy to be with each other. | 