Tyler Brooks
Kwanzaa is a pan-African holiday celebrated by millions around the world. It takes place annually between December 26 and January 1. A central part of the celebration is the nightly lighting of the Kinara, a candle holder that holds seven candles: three red, three green, and one black. Each day, a new candle is lit, and families discuss the importance of one of the seven principles that are the foundation of the African American celebration.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 |
| First candle lit | Black candle |
| Second candle lit | Red candle |
| Third candle lit | Green candle |
| Fourth candle lit | Red candle |
| Fifth candle lit | Green candle |
| Sixth candle lit | Red candle |
| Seventh candle lit | Green candle |
| Lighting order | From left to right, with red candles lit first |
| Symbolism of black candle | Umoja (unity) |
| Symbolism of red candles | Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Kuumba (creativity) |
| Symbolism of green candles | Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), and Imani (faith) |
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What You'll Learn
The black candle is lit first
Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African heritage that takes place between December 26th and January 1st. The lighting of the Kinara, a special candelabra, is a central part of the celebration. There are seven candles in total, one black candle, three red, and three green. Each candle represents a principle, with the black candle representing the first principle of Umoja (unity). The black candle is placed in the centre of the Kinara and lit first on the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26th.
After the black candle is lit, the remaining candles are lit from left to right on the following days. On the second day, the red candle on the immediate right of the black candle is lit, representing the principle of Kujichagulia (self-determination). On the third day, the green candle on the immediate left of the black candle is lit, representing the principle of Ujima (collective work and responsibility). The red and green candles continue to alternate until the seventh day, with the final green candle, Imani (faith), being lit on the last day.
The colours of Kwanzaa candles, black, red, and green, were originally given by civil rights activist and leader of the Pan-Africanism movement, Marcus Garvey. The black, red, and green colours represent the people, their struggle, and the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
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Three red and three green candles
Kwanzaa is a pan-African holiday celebrated by millions around the world, honouring African heritage and history. It takes place between December 26 and January 1. The holiday is based on seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, a set of ideals created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle, with the nightly lighting of the Kinara, a special candelabra. The seven candles, or Mishumaa Saba, are ceremonial objects that symbolize the sun's power and provide light.
The candles are comprised of three red, three green, and one black candle. The black candle is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa and is placed in the centre of the Kinara. It represents the first principle, Umoja, or unity. The red candles are lit on the second, fourth, and sixth days and are placed to the left of the black candle. They represent the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Kuumba (creativity). The green candles are lit on the third, fifth, and seventh days and are placed to the right of the black candle. They represent the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), and Imani (faith).
Each day, one new candle is lit, and families discuss the importance of the corresponding principle and how it fosters community. The lighting of the candles proceeds from left to right, with the red candles lit before the green ones. The red and green candles are often alternated to symbolize hope in the midst of struggle. The black candle is lit first to stress the priority of the people, while the red and green candles represent the struggle and the future, respectively.
The colours of the candles are significant, with black, red, and green being the colours of African American people, as designated by civil rights activist Marcus Garvey. The illuminating fire of the candles is a basic element of celebration, symbolizing the power of the sun and the mystique of fire.
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The candles are lit left to right
Kwanzaa is a pan-African holiday celebrated by millions around the world, honouring African heritage and history. It takes place between December 26 and January 1 each year. The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", meaning "first fruits", referring to the agricultural harvest festivals found throughout Africa.
A key custom during Kwanzaa is the daily lighting of the Kinara, a special candelabra. The candles are lit according to the numbering of the principles: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
The black candle, representing Umoja (unity), is lit first on the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26th. It is placed in the centre of the Kinara to stress the priority of the people. The red candles, representing the struggle and blood shed in the past, are placed to the left of the black candle and are lit first on the second day. The green candles, representing the Earth, abundance of possibilities, and hope for the future, are placed to the right of the black candle and are lit first on the third day. The candles continue to alternate until you reach the seventh day, with one new candle lit each day, from left to right.
The candle-lighting ceremony each evening provides an opportunity for families to gather and discuss the importance of each principle and how it fosters community.
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The candles represent the seven principles
Kwanzaa is a pan-African holiday celebrated by millions around the world between December 26 and January 1. It was founded in 1966 in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga. It is a call to celebrate the richness of what it means to have African roots.
A central part of the celebration is the nightly lighting of the kinara, a special candelabra. The kinara holds seven candles: three red, three green, and one black. The black candle is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa and symbolizes the principle of umoja (unity). The red candles represent the principles of kujichagulia (self-determination), ujamaa (cooperative economics), and kuumba (creativity). The green candles represent the principles of ujima (collective work and responsibility), nia (purpose), and imani (faith).
Each day of Kwanzaa emphasizes a different principle, and the candles are lit according to the numbering of the principles. The black candle, symbolizing unity, is lit first, followed by the red candle closest to it, kujichagulia (2), and then the green candle ujima (3). The sequence continues with alternating red and green lightings until the last candle, the green candle imani (7).
The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, are a set of ideals created by Dr. Maulana Karenga. They provide an opportunity for families to gather and discuss the importance of each principle and how it fosters community among African Americans.
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The kinara is lit nightly
The kinara is a candle holder that holds seven candles: three red, three green, and one black. The black candle is placed in the centre, with the red candles on its left and the green candles on its right. The lighting of the kinara is a nightly occurrence during Kwanzaa, with one new candle being lit each night, starting with the black candle. The black candle is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26th, and represents the principle of umoja (unity). The red candles represent the principles of kujichagulia (self-determination), ujamaa (cooperative economics) and kuumba (creativity). The green candles represent the principles of ujima (collective work and responsibility), nia (purpose) and imani (faith).
On the second day of Kwanzaa, the red candle on the immediate right of the unity candle is lit. The green candle on the immediate left side of the unity candle is lit on the third day. This pattern of alternating left and right continues until all seven candles are lit on the seventh day. Each day, the appropriate principle is discussed as the corresponding candle is lit. The candle-lighting ceremony each evening provides an opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa and the principles it is founded upon.
The kinara is a central part of the Kwanzaa celebration, which takes place annually between December 26th and January 1st. Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga as a way to empower people to rediscover their African heritage and express the Nguzo Saba (seven principles). The seven principles are a set of ideals created by Dr. Karenga, with each day of Kwanzaa emphasising a different principle.
The colours of the candles are significant, with black, red, and green being the colours of African American people, originally given by civil rights activist and leader of the Pan-Africanism movement, Marcus Garvey. The black candle symbolises the people themselves, the three red candles represent the struggle and blood shed in the past, and the three green candles represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
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Frequently asked questions
One candle is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa. This is the black candle, which is placed in the centre of the kinara and represents the principle of umoja (unity).
Two candles are lit on the second day of Kwanzaa. The black candle is lit again, along with one of the red candles on the left of the kinara.
Three candles are lit on the third day of Kwanzaa. The black candle is lit again, along with one red and one green candle.
All seven candles are lit by the end of Kwanzaa. There are three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and the black candle in the centre.
