Make Your Own Kwanzaa Unity Cup (Kikombe Cha Umoja) Craft Project

This holiday season why not try making your own Kwanzaa Unity Cup, or Kikombe cha Umoja, symbolizing the foundation principle of the Nguzu Saba, Umoia (Unity), this traditional vessel is used to pour Tambiko, which means "libation for our ancestors." On the sixth day of Kwanzaa, the Unity Cup is filled with wine, or grape juice, and passed to each family member, eldest to youngest. Each person says a blessing to the family ancestor then drinks from the vessel. The traditional Kwanzaa Unity Cup is usually three colors: black, red, and green. Each color represents a different aspect of the holiday: Black is for the color of the African race, Green represents hope for the land of Africa, and red; the blood shed by African ancestors. To make your own Kwanzaa Unity Cup, you will need the following items:

1 glass goblet, with a long stem. If you are low on cash, buy your glass at the local thrift store or recycle one from your own cupboards. Any designs on the goblet will be hidden by the end of the project, but you may find you'll need extra black tissue paper to cover the designs.

3 sheets black tissue paper, torn into 2 x 2 inch pieces

1 sheet tissue paper in green and red

Decoupage glue, or lightly watered down Elmer's glue. If you want your unity cup to be used for years to come, make sure to use a glue specifically design for glass.

Paintbrush

Small bowl, for glue

Glitter, optional

Using the paintbrush and glue, coat the outer surface of the goblet with the black tissue paper by spreading a light layer of glue in small sections and coating with the tissue paper. Do a full layer, allow to dry, repeat twice, or until any designs on the glass are covered. Allow to dry for two hours, or overnight. NOTE: make sure not to cover the inside of the mug. For a neat edge, leave tissue paper sticking up around the edges then use a sharp cutting tool to trim when dry.

Fold the sheets of red and green tissue paper into quarters. Draw people shapes that will fit well on your goblet and cut out. You should have four copies of each image. Mix glitter into your glue, if desired. Affix images onto the goblet, adding double, triple, or 4-deep layers of each people, depending on how you want the goblet to look.

When satisfied, let dry 1 hour. Coat with a thin layer of glue, allow to dry, and repeat. Do this a few times, until the coating is fairly thick. Allow to dry over night.

The Kwanzaa Unity Cup is great for a family celebration, but if you're a teacher or aide who works with younger children and you need a quick project, use Styrofoam cups and clothespins in place of the glass goblet. For a very basic, and non-water-resistant cup great for story time, use black construction paper with felt people shapes.