How To Make A Mkeka Mat

Typically gifts are handmade and educational teaching something about the heritage of people of african descent.

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. 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. Students get a lesson in weave making with this simple kwanzaa craft made from materials you likely already have in your classroom. In this edition of hagley s video minute marketing manager meg marcozzi demonstrates how to make a mkeka mat and a dreidel.

Mkekea craft kwanzaa activity idea for kids learn how to make mkeka mats using construction paper ruler pencil scissors and glue. For a very neat looking place mat use a ruler to draw the guidelines. For younger children an adult should draw the lines. The mkeka a woven mat is the kwanzaa symbol of history.

Add a meaning. 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. Cut along the lines. Fold black construction paper in half to make a frame for the mat.

Get the kwanzaa coloring page. You can make these christmas crafts at hagley at world holiday. Kwanzaa mkeka mat craft. Making kwanzaa gifts families set aside time on the first day of kwanzaa to make handmade gifts to exchange during the karamu feast.

Celebrate this kwanzaa tradition with your child or acquaint them with a new and unexplored cultural. To make cutting easier fold the paper in half and cut starting from the middle going toward the edge. Black red and green construction paper. Mancala game make this fun african mancala game to play during the kwanzaa celebration.

Show your child how to cut from the folded edge to within one inch of the opposite side. Cut the lines starting 1 inch from the bottom edge to 1 inch from the top edge. 0 rating rating ratings. When you re finished cutting unfold the piece of paper.

Mkeka plural mkekas the decorative mat on which ceremonial symbols are laid out during kwanzaa celebrations.