Kwanzaa

·      Celebrated for 7 days in the US to honor African heritage and culture

·      Takes place from December 26^th to January 1^st

·      First celebrated from 1966-1967

·      Homes are decorated with African art and the traditional colors of green, black, and red

·      Women wear a colorful wrap, known as Kaftan

·      Men wear colorful shirts called Dashiki paired with a hat called Kufi

·      On the last day families get together for a large feast, Karamu

Hanukkah

·      to celebrate and honor the victories of the Jews

·      More than 2,000 years ago, the Jewish fought again their enemies who didn’t allow them to practice their religious traditions

·      The Jewish temple in Jerusalem was destroyed, including one sacred lamp, the Menorah

·      They won and restored the sacred lamp, but it only had oil left for one night. Instead of lasting 1 night, it lasted 8

·      From that day on Hanukkah is held every year to celebrate and honor the victories of the Jews

·      Hanukkah means rededication

Hanukkah (cont'd)

The celebration is called the “Festival of Lights”

·      The celebration lasts for 8 days

·      The first day usually includes a big family dinner with potato latkes, beef friskets, and jelly doughnuts.

·      After dinner, the family fathers to light the Menorah candles, and light a new candle each day.

·      The ceremony includes blessings, songs, gifts, and games with toys such as dreidel and chocolate coins, called gelt

Christmas

·      December 25^th

·      To celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ as the son of God

·      Came from the joining of the words “Christ” and “mass”, which refers to holy mass or the festival of Jesus Christ

·      Comes just after the winter solstice to announce that winter is not forever and it was a form of worshipping the sun

·      The night before is known the Eve

·      Gifts are exchanged

·      Pine trees are decorated