Mkeke Mat

Make a place mat to hold your kinara for a Kwanzaa celebration. In 1966, Dr. Maulana Darenga created Kwanzaa. It has seven principles with a different one celebrated each of the seven nights from December 26 through January 1. The Mkeke is an important part of the Kwanzaa celebration. It represents the foundation. Two ears of corn, which symbolize the children, the unity cup, the kinara (the candleholder which holds 3 red candles, 3 green candles and 1 black candle) and fruits and vegetables that symbolize the year’s harvest rest on the Mkeke during Kwanzaa.