🕯️ Kwanzaa bingo

How to play Kwanzaa bingo

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage in African American culture, held from December 26 to January 1. It was created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, and its name comes from a Swahili phrase meaning "first fruits". Each day focuses on one of the seven principles, the Nguzo Saba: Umoja, Kujichagulia, Ujima, Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba and Imani. This bingo uses clue-and-answer pairs, so the caller reads a meaning and players find the Swahili word on their card. It also covers the seven symbols, the colors of the kinara candles and the Karamu feast on December 31.

1. Introduce the seven principles first. Bingo works best as review once the words are familiar.
2. Read each clue from the caller, slowly. The Swahili answer shows small on your screen.
3. Players cover the matching word. The winner says the meaning of each word in their line.

Tips for a better game

• Play one round each evening of Kwanzaa and ask the winner to share how the day's principle showed up for them.
• Classroom version: pair the game with a kinara drawing, three red candles on the left, three green on the right and black in the center.
• Greet players with "Habari gani?" and have them answer with the day's principle before you start calling.