How To Make A Mkeka Mat

Get the kwanzaa coloring page.

How to make a mkeka mat.

With only construction paper and scissors students can create striking weaved mats in celebration of the african american holiday. Mkeka plural mkekas the decorative mat on which ceremonial symbols are laid out during kwanzaa celebrations. You can make these christmas crafts at hagley at world holiday. Black red and green construction paper.

To make cutting easier fold the paper in half and cut starting from the middle going toward the edge. Mkekea craft kwanzaa activity idea for kids learn how to make mkeka mats using construction paper ruler pencil scissors and glue. Mancala game make this fun african mancala game to play during the kwanzaa celebration. When you re finished cutting unfold the piece of paper.

0 rating rating ratings. A traditional straw or woven textile mat called a mkeka is one of the seven symbols of kwanzaa those who celebrate kwanzaa view the mkeka as the base for the other six symbols of kwanzaa representing the idea that nothing can be built without having a foundation upon which to rest. In this edition of hagley s video minute marketing manager meg marcozzi demonstrates how to make a mkeka mat and a dreidel. For younger children an adult should draw the lines.

For a very neat looking place mat use a ruler to draw the guidelines. The mkeka a woven mat is the kwanzaa symbol of history. Mkeka mat making instsructions for kwanzaa this mkeka mat craft is a fun and simple kwanzaa craft for kids. Making kwanzaa gifts families set aside time on the first day of kwanzaa to make handmade gifts to exchange during the karamu feast.

Show your child how to cut from the folded edge to within one inch of the opposite side. Typically gifts are handmade and educational teaching something about the heritage of people of african descent. Cut along the lines. Celebrate this kwanzaa tradition with your child or acquaint them with a new and unexplored cultural.

Students get a lesson in weave making with this simple kwanzaa craft made from materials you likely already have in your classroom. Kwanzaa mkeka mat craft. To weave a mkeka cut parallel lines in a piece of black construction paper. Cut the lines starting 1 inch from the bottom edge to 1 inch from the top edge.

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