In ancient times, according to legend, there was a horrible creature called nian (the same as the word for "year" ) that appeared at the end of the year. The beast attacked the people and their livestock, and even though the villagers fought fiercely together, they never succeeded in destroying the creature. After many failures, the villagers discovered nian had three weaknesses it was frightened by noise, it disliked sunshine, and it was terrified of the color red. So, at the end of the year, the people built a huge bonfire outside the village, set off hundreds of firecrackers and painted the doors of their houses red. Upon seeing the commotion, the nian monster became so panicked that it covered its head in fear and ran away. And this is how, some say, that bright red became the color of the New Year.

1.How does your family celebrate the Spring Festival? 2. Do you know why we celebrate the Spring Festival and when was this most important Chinese festival born?

Customs(symbols) of the Spring Festival couplet paper-cut

set off firecrackers set off fireworks

Carnival of African-Americans

It is celebrated through singing, speaking, dancing and reciting traditions.

1. What does the text mainly tell us? 2. Why did people create Kwanzaa?

Name __kwanzaa______ Date (how long)___________ Meaning _first fruit__ Principles____________ Symbol__________ CelebrationCelebration____________

1.What can we learn from those festivals like Christmas, Spring Festival etc.? 2. True or False

Day 1 - middle candle - Black - Umoja - Unity Day 2 - innermost red candle - Kujichagulia - Self-determination Day 3 - innermost green candle - Ujima – living together Day 4 - middle red candle - Ujamaa – working together Day 5 - middle green candle - Nia - Purpose Day 6 - outermost red candle - Kuumba - Creativity Day 7 - outermost green candle - Imani - Faith