Brooke Martin
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage that takes place from December 26 to January 1. The nightly lighting of the Kinara, a seven-branched candle holder, is a central part of the celebration. The Kinara holds seven candles, known as the Mishumaa Saba, which represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The candles are placed in the Kinara, which is positioned centrally on a mat called the Mkeka, along with other symbolic items. The Mishumaa Saba are typically taper candles, including three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and a single black candle in the centre, which is lit first.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 |
| What the candles represent | The 7 principles of Kwanzaa |
| What the candles are called | Mishumaa Saba |
| Where to place the Kinara | A central location in the home, like the living room or kitchen |
| What to place the Kinara on | A table or countertop, with a mkeka (mat) underneath |
| What the mkeka is made of | Straw, fabric or paper |
| What to place on the mkeka | An ear of corn for each child in the house, African or African-American foods and crops in a bowl, and other celebratory items |
| What the Kinara is | A seven-branched candle holder |
| When to light the Kinara | Each night of Kwanzaa, starting with the black candle on the first day |
| How to light the Kinara | Using a respectful method, such as a plain lighter |
| What to do after lighting the Kinara | Drink or pour from the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup) and discuss the concept of umoja (unity) |
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What You'll Learn
- The Kinara (candle holder) is placed on a mat or table
- The Mishumaa Saba (seven candles) are placed in the Kinara
- The black candle is lit first, followed by the red and green candles
- The order of lighting the candles alternates from left to right
- The lighting of the candles is accompanied by discussions, prayers, or reciting the principle each candle represents
The Kinara (candle holder) is placed on a mat or table
The Kinara, a candle holder and one of the primary symbols of Kwanzaa, is placed on a mat or table during the celebration. The placement of the Kinara is an important part of the Kwanzaa ritual, which is a joyous time of reflection and celebration of African heritage. The Kinara is placed in a central location in the home, such as a table or countertop in the living room or kitchen.
Before placing the Kinara, a beautiful piece of African cloth is spread on the table, and then the mkeka (mat) is placed on top. The mkeka is usually made of straw, but it can also be made of fabric or paper. It represents the foundation of African traditions and history, and all other Kwanzaa symbols are placed on it. The Kinara is then placed in the middle of the mkeka, with the candles yet to be added.
The Kinara is a seven-branched candle holder, and the candles are placed in a specific order. The black candle, which is usually larger than the others, is placed in the centre. To its left are three red candles, and to its right are three green candles. The black candle represents unity (Umoja), the red candles represent self-determination (Kujichagulia), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), and creativity (Kuumba), and the green candles represent collective work and responsibility (Ujima), purpose (Nia), and faith (Imani).
The Kinara is lit nightly during Kwanzaa, which is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. Each day has a specific principle associated with it, and the candles are lit in a particular order, with the black candle being lit first, followed by the red and green candles in an alternating pattern.
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The Mishumaa Saba (seven candles) are placed in the Kinara
The Mishumaa Saba are made up of three red candles, three green candles, and a single black candle. The black candle is placed in the centre of the Kinara and is known as the unity candle. The red candles are placed to the immediate right of the black candle, and the green candles are placed to the immediate left. The black candle is usually larger than the other candles as it needs to burn the longest. The red candles represent the principles of self-determination, cooperative economics, and creativity. The green candles represent the principles of collective work and responsibility, purpose, and faith.
On the first day of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit. Each person then drinks from the unity cup, and any leftover water is poured over a bowl of crops as a libation. While the candle is lit, the family discusses what unity means to them. On the second day, the black candle is lit again, along with the far-left red candle. The candles are lit in an alternating pattern until the seventh day, when all seven candles are lit.
The Kinara symbolises the original stalk from which all African ancestors came. The colours of Kwanzaa are black, red, and green, representing the people, their struggle, and the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
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The black candle is lit first, followed by the red and green candles
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of family, community, and culture that takes place annually from December 26 to January 1. A central part of the celebration is the nightly lighting of the kinara, a candle holder with seven branches. The seven candles of Kwanzaa are called the mishumaa saba. They consist of one black candle, three red candles, and three green candles, each representing one of the seven principles guiding Kwanzaa.
The black candle, which represents the principle of unity, is always lit first on the opening day of Kwanzaa. It is placed in the centre of the mishumaa saba. On the second day, the far-left red candle is lit, moving from left to right. On the third day, the remaining two red candles are lit. On the fourth day, the green candle beside the black candle is lit. On the fifth day, the two remaining green candles are lit. Finally, on the sixth and seventh days, all the candles are lit, starting with the black candle and moving from left to right.
The colours of Kwanzaa—black, red, and green—each have a symbolic meaning. Black represents the people, red represents their struggle, and green represents the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
The lighting of the candles is a significant ritual during Kwanzaa. Some families allow the oldest member to light the black candle, followed by other members lighting the red candles and the children lighting the green candles. Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to a specific principle, and families may discuss the principle of the day as they light the candle.
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The order of lighting the candles alternates from left to right
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage that takes place annually between December 26th and January 1st. The nightly lighting of the Kinara, a seven-branched candle holder, is a central part of the celebration. The Kinara holds seven candles, which are called the Mishumaa Saba, representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The candles are placed in the Kinara as follows: three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and a single black candle in the centre. The black candle is usually larger than the others as it burns the longest.
It is important to note that while this is the official guideline, some families choose to alternate between the red and green candles, symbolising hope amid struggle. Additionally, each family can decide on their own ceremonial practices for lighting the Kinara. Some families may recite the principle that each candle represents as they light it, while others may discuss the concept of umoja (unity) as they light the candles and pass the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup).
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The lighting of the candles is accompanied by discussions, prayers, or reciting the principle each candle represents
The lighting of the Kwanzaa candles is a nightly ritual during the week-long celebration, which takes place between December 26 and January 1. The lighting is accompanied by discussions, prayers, or reciting the principle that each candle represents.
The seven candles, known as the mishumaa saba, are placed in a kinara (candle holder). The colours of Kwanzaa are black, red, and green. The black candle represents the first principle, umoja (unity), and is placed in the centre of the kinara. The red candles represent the principles of kujichagulia (self-determination), ujamaa (cooperative economics), and kuumba (creativity) and are placed to the left of the black candle. The green candles represent the future and hope and are placed to the right of the black candle.
On the first day of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit, and each person drinks from the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup). As the candle is lit and the cup is passed around, families discuss what unity means to them. Some families may also offer prayers at the beginning or end of the ceremony, or recite the principle that each candle represents as they light it.
On the second day, the black candle and the far-left red candle are lit. The third day sees the black candle and the two far-left red candles lit. On the fourth day, the black candle is lit first, followed by the far-left red candle, moving from left to right until all red candles are lit. The fifth day follows a similar pattern, with the black candle lit first, then the three red candles, and then the green candle beside the black one. On the sixth day, the black candle is lit first, followed by the red candles, and then the first and second green candles closest to the black candle. Finally, on the seventh day, all seven candles are lit, representing the principle of imani (faith).
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Frequently asked questions
The Kwanzaa candles, known as the Mishumaa Saba, are placed in a Kinara, a seven-branched candle holder. The Kinara is placed on a Mkeka, a woven mat, in a central location in your home. The Mishumaa Saba consists of three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and a single black candle in the centre.
The black candle, also known as the unity candle, is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26th. On the second day, the red candle on the immediate right of the unity candle is lit. On the third day, the green candle on the immediate left of the unity candle is lit, and the candles continue to alternate until the seventh day, when all seven candles are lit.
The colours of the Kwanzaa candles are black, red, and green. Black represents the people, red their struggle, and green the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
