How To Make A Mkeka Mat

Cut the lines starting 1 inch from the bottom edge to 1 inch from the top edge.

How to make a mkeka mat.

The mkeka a woven mat is the kwanzaa symbol of history. Woven mat for kwanzaa. While the paper is still folded draw a series of lines across the fold but do not draw them all the way to the edge leave about 1 inch at the edge. For younger children an adult should draw the lines.

Get the kwanzaa coloring page. Making kwanzaa gifts families set aside time on the first day of kwanzaa to make handmade gifts to exchange during the karamu feast. You can make these christmas crafts at hagley at world holiday. Mkeka plural mkekas the decorative mat on which ceremonial symbols are laid out during kwanzaa celebrations.

0 rating rating ratings. For a very neat looking place mat use a ruler to draw the guidelines. Typically gifts are handmade and educational teaching something about the heritage of people of african descent. Add a meaning.

Show your child how to cut from the folded edge to within one inch of the opposite side. Mancala game make this fun african mancala game to play during the kwanzaa celebration. Cut along the lines. 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.

Mkekea craft kwanzaa activity idea for kids learn how to make mkeka mats using construction paper ruler pencil scissors and glue. Fold black construction paper in half to make a frame for the mat. To weave a mkeka cut parallel lines in a piece of black construction paper. Black red and green construction paper.

Celebrate this kwanzaa tradition with your child or acquaint them with a new and unexplored cultural. In this edition of hagley s video minute marketing manager meg marcozzi demonstrates how to make a mkeka mat and a dreidel. With only construction paper and scissors students can create striking weaved mats in celebration of the african american holiday. When you re finished cutting unfold the piece of paper.

Students get a lesson in weave making with this simple kwanzaa craft made from materials you likely already have in your classroom.