When decorating your home for Kwanzaa, try to incorporate as many of the Seven Principles (nguzo saba) as you can into the proceedings. Involve your family and friends for Unity and Collective Work and Responsibility, and hand make some decorations for Creativity.
Making a Kwanzaa Centerpiece
Photo courtesy of the University of Sankore Press
Incorporating the seven symbols of Kwanzaa into your decorations is meaningful and important. An easy way to do this is by making a centerpiece. First, lay down the mkeka, a mat, usually made of straw. In the center of the mkeka, place the kinara with seven candles in it: three green, three red, and one black in the center. These are known as the mishumaa saba. Ears of corn, called muhindi, should be set up around the kinara, one for each child in the family. If there are no children, one or two ears can still be used to represent the value of social parenthood and a desire for future prosperity. The unity cup (kikombe cha umoja) and gifts (zawadi) can be arranged anywhere on the mkeka, as can a basket of fresh fruits and vegetables (the mazao).
Other IdeasAs far as color schemes go, you can incorporate red, green, and black into your home, including placing a Kwanzaa flag (bendera ya taifa) either on the table or a wall somewhere. Any African or African-inspired art will add a festive touch to your home as well: paintings, sculpture, or textiles will bring people into the holiday spirit.
TIP: For more information on the symbols of Kwanzaa and what they mean, check out our holiday guide "From Kinaras to Kaftans: Symbols of Kwanzaa."
Prominently displaying the nguzo saba somewhere is a great idea, as it is timely and a reminder of why the celebration is taking place. You can purchase posters online or at a bookstore, but making one with your family is a great idea as well.