Ben Carter
Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture. The holiday is celebrated with a candle-lighting ritual. The candles are placed in a kinara, a candle holder that holds seven candles—three red, three green, and one black. Each candle represents one of the seven core principles (nguzo saba) of Kawaida philosophy, and they are lit on each day of the seven-day celebration. The black candle, which represents the principle of unity, is lit first, followed by the red and green candles, which symbolize the importance of struggle and a good future forged through relentless effort.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 |
| Candle colours | 3 red, 3 green, 1 black |
| Candle holder | Kinara |
| Symbolism | The seven principles of Kwanzaa |
| Lighting order | Begins with the black candle, followed by alternating red and green |
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What You'll Learn
The Kinara candle holder
The Kinara is a candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The word "Kinara" is derived from the Swahili word for candle holder. It holds seven candles—three red on the left, three green on the right, and a single black candle in the middle—that represent the seven principles that are the foundation of the African American celebration of Kwanzaa.
During Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the Kinara each day, with families discussing one principle and its importance in fostering community among African Americans. The black candle, which represents the principle of Umoja (unity), is lit first, followed by the red candle closest to it, Kujichagulia (self-determination), and then the green candle, Ujima (collective work and responsibility). This sequence of alternating red and green candles is followed until the last candle, the green candle, Imani (faith), is lit.
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The Mishumaa Saba (seven candles)
The Mishumaa Saba, or the seven candles, are an essential part of the Kwanzaa celebration. The set consists of three red candles, three green candles, and one black candle. These candles are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, or the Seven Principles, which form the core values that African people are encouraged to live by. The Seven Principles are a matrix and a minimum set of values that African people are urged to follow in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives according to their own needs.
The black candle, Umoja, is lit first, symbolizing the priority of the people. The three red candles are lit next, representing Kujichagulia (self-determination), Kuumba (creativity), and Nia (purpose). The red candles symbolize the importance of struggle. Finally, the three green candles are lit, representing Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Imani (faith). The green candles symbolize the good future that is forged through righteous and relentless struggle.
The candles are lit in a specific order, with the black candle lit first, followed by the red and green candles in an alternating pattern, from the innermost candle to the outermost. The kinara, or candleholder, holds the seven candles, with three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and the single black candle in the center. Each candle is lit on consecutive days of Kwanzaa, with families discussing the importance of one principle each day and how it fosters community among African Americans.
The Mishumaa Saba candles are typically 10 inches tall with a 7/8-inch diameter and a self-fitted end. They are hand-dipped and unscented, with a suggested burn time of 6-8 hours. They are designed to fit most standard candle holders.
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The three red candles
Each of the three red candles represents a separate principle. The second day of Kwanzaa is Kujichagulia, which stands for self-determination. This is the second candle lit. The principle encourages defining, naming, creating, and speaking for oneself. The third day is Ujima, the principle of collective work and responsibility. It is the fifth candle to be lit. This principle is about building and strengthening the community. The fourth day is Ujaama, which represents cooperative economics. This principle is about building and maintaining businesses, such as stores and shops, to profit from them as a community.
The red candles are lit on alternate days, with the black candle lit first, followed by the green. The black candle represents unity, with a focus on family, community, nation, and race. The red candle symbolises the importance of struggle, while the green represents a positive future that is forged through righteous and relentless struggle.
The lighting of the candles is a significant ritual during Kwanzaa. Each candle is lit on a specific day, and families discuss the importance of each principle and how it fosters community. The candle holder, kinara, is often made of glass to symbolise a bridge connecting generations of African Americans. The candles are called mishumaa saba, and the mat on which the kinara is placed is called mkeka.
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The three green candles
The Kwanzaa candle set consists of seven candles: three red, one black, and three green. Each candle represents one of the seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kwanzaa, an African American and Pan-African holiday. The three green candles represent the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Imani (faith).
The green candles are placed on the right side of the kinara, the traditional candle holder symbolic of African American roots. The kinara holds all seven candles, with the three red candles placed on the left and the single black candle in the middle. Each candle is lit on a specific day of the Kwanzaa seven-day celebration, with the black candle always being lit first, followed by the red and then the green.
The principle represented by the first green candle, Ujima, emphasizes collective work and responsibility. It involves building and developing the community to restore African Americans and Pan-Americans to their traditional greatness. The second green candle, Ujamaa, represents cooperative economics, which encourages the building and maintenance of individually owned stores, shops, and businesses to profit the community. The final green candle, Imani, signifies faith and belief in the people, parents, teachers, leaders, and the ultimate victory of their righteous struggle.
The lighting of the candles is an important ritual during Kwanzaa. The candles are lit in a specific order, with the black candle, symbolizing unity, lit first. The red candle, representing the importance of struggle, is lit next, followed by the green candles, symbolizing a good future forged through relentless struggle. As each candle is lit, families discuss the importance of the principle it represents and how it fosters community among African Americans.
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The single black candle
The kinara, meaning candle holder in Swahili, is a significant symbol of Kwanzaa, an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated by many people of African descent. Kwanzaa is a time to honour African heritage and African-American culture, with a focus on community, family, and culture. The seven candles of Kwanzaa, known as mishumaa saba, are an important ritual of the celebration, with each candle representing one of the seven core principles (nguzo saba) of Kawaida philosophy.
The black candle, as the first to be lit, holds a special significance. It symbolises the priority of the people and the importance of unity, bringing families and communities together in celebration of their shared heritage. The lighting of the black candle is often accompanied by a discussion of the principle of unity and its relevance to the lives of those gathered.
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Frequently asked questions
The candles in Kwanzaa are called Mishumaa Saba. The seven candles represent the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith).
The Kwanzaa candles come in three colours: three red, one black, and three green.
The black candle, symbolizing Umoja (Unity), is lit first, followed by the red candle closest to it, Kujichagulia (2), then the green candle, Ujima (3), and so on, with alternating red and green candles until the last candle, Imani (7).
