D GOAL 4 SHARE HOLIDAY TRADITIONS
Reading
A. Discuss these questions with a partner.
1. What are the most important holidays
in your country?
2. Are they new or old? How did they
start?
B. Find this information in the reading.
1. the number of people who celebrate
Kwanzaa now ___________________
2. the dates of Kwanzaa _ ____________
3. the year when Kwanzaa started _ ____
4. the person who started Kwanzaa ____
_______________________________
5. three countries where people celebrate
Kwanzaa _______________________
6. the most important symbol of Kwanzaa
_______________________________
7. the colors of Kwanzaa _____________
_______________________________
C. C
 ircle T for true, F for false, or NI for no
information (if the answer is not in the
reading).
1. Kwanzaa is celebrated at
the end of the year. T F NI
2. Kwanzaa is a holiday for
African-Americans. T F NI
3. Kwanzaa is a very old
holiday. T F NI
4. People in Africa celebrate
Kwanzaa. T F NI
5. People spend a lot of
time with their families
during Kwanzaa. T F NI
6. Children receive presents
at the end of Kwanzaa. T F NI
7. Everyone thinks Kwanzaa is
an important holiday. T F NI
142 Celebrations
New York, United States
Starting a
New Tradition
candles
basket
candleholder
ears of corn
Shantelle Davis is a nine-year-old girl in New York. On a cold
night in December, her family is standing around the kitchen
table while she lights a candle. The table is decorated with
baskets of fruit and vegetables and ears of corn for Shantelle
and her two brothers.
This candle represents umoja, an African word that
means being together, Shantelle says. Thats the most
important thing for a family.
Tonight is the first night of Kwanzaa, and Shantelle is
spending the holiday with her family. More than 5 million
African Americans celebrate Kwanzaa every year from
December 26 until January 1. Its a time when they get together
with their families to think about their history and their
ancestors in Africa.
Kwanzaa is very unusual because it was started by one
man. In 1966, an American named Maulana Karenga wanted
a holiday for African-Americans to honor their culture and
Communication
traditions. So he used words and customs from Africa to
create a new celebration. He took the name Kwanzaa from
A. Circle your opinion about these sentences.
1. A new holiday isnt a real holiday.
the words for first fruits in Swahili, an African language.
a. I agree. b. Im not sure. c. I disagree.
At first, a few American families had small celebrations at
home. Now, there are also Kwanzaa events in schools and 2. Some old holidays are boring and not very
public places, and Kwanzaa has spread to other countries like important now.
Canada and Jamaica. a. I agree. b. Im not sure. c. I disagree.
The main symbol of Kwanzaa is a candleholder with 3. Our country should start a new holiday.
seven candles, one for each of the principles of Kwanzaa. a. I agree. b. Im not sure. c. I disagree.
Each night, a family member lights one of the candles and
4. People spend too much money for holidays.
talks about the idea it represents: being together, being
a. I agree. b. Im not sure. c. I disagree.
yourself, helping each other, sharing, having a goal, creating,
and believing. The candles are red, black, and green, the 5. Its very important to keep all of the old
colors of Kwanzaa. The parents also pour drinks to honor holiday customs.
family members who have died. On the last night of Kwanzaa, a. I agree. b. Im not sure. c. I disagree.
there is a big dinner with African food, and children receive
small presents. B. Compare your opinions with the opinions of
Today people can buy Kwanzaa greeting cards and other students. Talk about things your family
special Kwanzaa clothes. Stores sell Kwanzaa candles and does to celebrate holidays.
candleholders. Some people dont believe that Kwanzaa is
a real holiday,
because its so Writing
new. But other Choose one of the statements from exercise A
people say that and write a paragraph about your opinion. Be
customs and sure to give examples and explanations.
celebrations are
always changing
and that Kwanzaa
shows what is
important in
peoples lives.
Shantelle
Davis says she
likes Kwanzaa
because its fun.
But I also learn Goal 4 Share holiday
new things every traditions
year, she says.
Read your paragraph to a partner
or to the class.
Lesson D 143