UMOJA stands for unity. It means to work for togetherness in my family, our community in which we live, our nation and with others. (The UMOJA patch programs were developed by the Commonwealth Girl Scout Council of Virginia, Inc.)

Complete a minimum of eight (8) activities. Complete at least one (1) activity in each section.

1.  Well-Being

Activity I

Compare and contrast recipes of dishes made in Africa and those from the southern region of the United States. Why are there similarities? Prepare a buffet style "Taste-a-rama" of at least seven (7) of the recipes you researched. Write out note cards to place in front of each dish listing the main ingredients and spices specific to a particular tribe, region or culture. Note the relationship of climate, environment and tribal characteristics to the preparation techniques of the food for each dish.

Health conditions such as high blood pressure or hypertension are prevalent among African-Americans. Also diseases such as sickle cell anemia affect many people of African ancestry. Visit your local library to study these diseases. Are both hereditary? Create a poster to inform others of proper diet and exercise for a healthy lifestyle to prevent hypertension. Contact your local Sickle Cell Anemia organization to see how you can volunteer to inform the public about this disease.

2.  People

Activity I

Read a narrative of a former slave, or visit and participate in one such as the one in Colonial Williamsburg to learn about the day-to-day life of slaves on a plantation. Using what you learned about slavery, imagine you are a slave on a plantation and create journal entries about your feelings, experiences, hopes and dreams.

What is the Civil Rights Movement? How has it affected American life and current laws? What is meant by Affirmative Action? How does it affect you? Invite someone knowledgeable on the subject to talk to your troop about Civil Rights Laws. What do you think it was like to grow up in this country before Civil Rights Laws? What special problems would a Black family have faced. Based on what you have found out, plan a three day trip for a Black family from this period. Consider transportation, overnight accommodations, restroom facilities, shopping, restaurants and the Ku Klux Klan.

Activity III

Plan a workshop to teach others how to celebrate Kwanza. Include ideas for decorations, games and food. Serve as program aides for the event.

Design a game for younger Girl Scouts or another group to learn about the achievements made by African-American people. Be sure to include those from sports, education, science, politics. law, art, music and other areas in which African-Americans have contributed.

Visit a Black historic site or attend a Black History activity in your community. Keep a log of your feelings and what you have learned.

The West African Kingdoms of Chana, Mali and Songhai were dynasties prior to the arrival of European slave traders. Create a time line chart of the period from 1200 A.D. to 1619, the year slaves first arrived in America. Compare the culture, economic structure, form of government, religion, and the education system of West Africa to that of Western Europe. Explain what happened to West Africa after the slave trade began.

3.  Science and Technology

Activity I

Several modern medicines and medical techniques are based on ancient African cultures. List three (3) of these and their impact on the history of the World. Using herbs and natural ingredients, make three (3) homemade remedies for common ailments such as insect bites, the common cold and headaches.

Examine television commercials during prime time for one (1) week. Name companies who advertise using positive African-American images. Give examples native stereotypes on television. Create your own commercial, poster, bulletin board or other form of advertising for Kwanza or African-American History month.

4.  Arts and Music

Activity I

Plan and conduct an African dance workshop for younger Girl Scouts. Research dances from several tribes and explain their purpose and message. Show girls how to create authentically styled clothing and head wraps. Encourage participants to wear African inspired hairstyles.

Rap music is a form of African-American art. Its beginnings can be traced to the griots or story tellers in African Villages. Many rap musicians use this art form to tell a positive story or give a message about today's society. Create your own rap about something that you feel is important - such as: staying in school, saying "no" to drugs and alcohol, the homeless and teen pregnancy. Perform your "rap" in an informal program with a sister troop or group.

Activity III

Plan a project to increase your troop or service unit awareness of the role of black poets to include those of the American Revolution, Civil War and Harlem Renaissance to the present. Plan a poetry reading or bulletin board to display and to share your feelings.

OR

Write your own poem and compare your poem to any two (2) black female poets. Share your findings with your troop.

5.  Outdoors and the Environment

Find out how several African tribes lived in accordance with their environments. Draw examples of and explain the functional use of clothing of people in five (5) different regions of Africa.

6.     Service

Activity I