How to Make Your Own Kwanzaa Mkeka

A big part of Kwanzaa is getting the entire family involved. This year, make the little ones part of the festivities with this great Craft. The Kwanzaa Mkeka (pronounced mm-KAY-kah) plays a big roll in the Kwanzaa celebration. The Kwanzaa mkeka mat is the traditional place to serve the special meals that are part of the Kwanzaa tradition. Mkeka is a special form of weaving where you thread strips of cloth paper so that they interlace and form a pattern. Making paper mkekas is a great craft for kids of all ages, and helps them feel included. Here'¦s how to make a Kwanzaa Mkeka.

Supplies:

Glue stick

Scissors

Red, green and black construction paper

Step 1:

Gather the red and green sheets of construction paper and trace one inch strips (lengthwise) across each sheet of construction paper.

Step 2:

With safety scissors, cut one inch thick strips out of the paper, following the lines that you have drawn.

Step 3:

Gather you sheets of black construction paper which will serve as the base of your Kwanzaa mkeka mat.

Fold a black sheet of construction paper lengthwise (like a hotdog bun).

Step 4:

Keep the black construction paper folded, and draw a straight line that starts at the fold, one inch from the left edge and ends two inches above the bottom of the folded sheet. Continue to draw lines one inch apart until you are one inch away from the right side of the folded paper.

Step 5:

With safety scissors, cut along the lines that you have drawn. Then open the black piece of construction paper carefully so that you do not damage the center strips.

Step 6:

Take a green strip and weave it into the black construction paper. You want to alternate over and under, repeating this pattern until the construction paper is weaved through.

Step 7:

Take a red strip of construction paper, and repeat the process for your second row.

Step 8:

Continue the pattern, alternating green and red strips of construction paper.

Step 9:

When your Kwanzaa mkeka mat is completely woven, glue the loose edges to the edge of your mat with your glue stick.

Note:

Depending on the age of the children, you may want to complete steps two and four ahead of time. I recommend (especially if you are working with a large group of children) that you complete the mat once on your own so that you have a little more practical knowledge before demonstrating the craft.

Happy Kwanzaa!