It was back in 1966 when grad student Maulana Karenga, upset about the Watts riots the year before, decided the African-American community needed a nonsecular holiday of its own, something to affirm its cultural values and history. He came up with Kwanzaa, a winter holiday patterned after a harvest festival that marks the seven guiding principles of the black community. Now Kwanzaa is celebrated around the world, and its traditions are becoming more and more well known. And after spending some time at the Childrens Museum of Houstons Kwanzaa WonderWeek, your kids will be experts on the history and meaning of Karengas creation. The African Dance Group will perform rhythmic moves to pulsing beats of the drum during a special showcase at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, and craft activities are scheduled throughout each day, including opportunities to create a kinara(a candlestick for seven candles), a munhindinecklace or a kufi hat. Reap the rewards of a bountiful cultural harvest from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. 1500 Binz. For information, call 713-522-1138 or visit www.cmhouston.org. $3 to $5.
Dec. 26-30, 2009