Tyler Brooks
The Kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The word 'Kinara' means candle holder in Swahili. Each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the Kinara, with the central black candle lit first, followed by three red candles on the left and three green candles on the right. The seven candles represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa, with each day dedicated to the contemplation of one principle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 |
| Candle colours | 3 red, 3 green, 1 black |
| Lighting order | Black candle first, then alternating left and right |
| Symbolism | The black candle symbolises the people, the red candles symbolise the struggle or blood shed in the past, and the green candles represent the future or the abundance of possibilities the future holds |
| Shape | Can be straight lines, semicircles, or spirals |
| Materials | Kinaras can be made from fallen branches, wood, or other natural materials |
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What You'll Learn
The kinara is a seven-branched candleholder
The kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration honouring African and African-American culture. Each day, a candle is lit on the kinara, with each candle representing one of the seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, which are values of African culture that contribute to building and reinforcing community among African-Americans.
The kinara can be crafted in various shapes, including straight lines, semicircles, or spirals, and can be made from different materials, such as wood or other natural materials. The important aspect is that the seven candles are separate and distinct. The candles are placed in the kinara in the following order: three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and a single black candle in the centre.
The black candle is lit first, followed by the red and green candles in an alternating pattern. The black candle represents the people, the red candles symbolise the struggle or blood shed in the past, and the green candles represent the future and the abundance of possibilities it holds. Each candle also has a specific name and meaning: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa, Nia, Kuumba, and Imani (faith).
The lighting of the kinara is a meaningful ritual during Kwanzaa, with each day dedicated to contemplating one of the Seven Principles. The kinara symbolises ancestry and the connection to one's roots, serving as a reminder of the richness of African heritage and the importance of unity and community.
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Each day, a new candle is lit
The kinara is a candleholder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. It has seven branches to hold seven candles: three red, three green, and a single black candle in the centre. Each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit. The black candle, also known as the unity candle, is lit first, followed by the three red candles on its right, and then the three green candles on its left.
The lighting of the candles proceeds from left to right, with each new candle corresponding to the principle of that day. Kwanzaa is derived from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", meaning "first fruits", and refers to agricultural harvest festivals found throughout Africa. The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, are a set of ideals created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, with each candle representing a different value.
The first day of Kwanzaa honours unity, with the black candle symbolising the people themselves. The three red candles represent the struggle or blood shed in the past, and the three green candles symbolise the future, or the abundance of possibilities that the future holds.
Each day of Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, honour their ancestors, and celebrate African and African-American culture. The lighting of the candles is accompanied by various activities such as reciting the writings of great black thinkers and writers, original poetry, African drumming, and sharing a meal of African-inspired foods.
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The black candle is lit first
The kinara is a candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. It holds seven candles: three red, three green, and a single black candle in the centre. Each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the kinara, with the centre black candle always lit first.
The black candle is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa and represents the first principle, Umoja, which means unity. The black candle is placed in the centre of the kinara to stress the priority of the people and the importance of unity in the family, community, nation, and race. The red and green candles are then lit in alternating order, moving from the closest to the black candle outwards. The red candles represent the struggle of the people, while the green candles represent the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
On the seventh day of Kwanzaa, all seven candles are lit. The black candle is lit first, followed by the red candles, and then the green candles. This procedure symbolises that the people come first, followed by their struggle, and then the hope that arises from it.
While there are established guidelines for lighting the kinara, families are encouraged to make the celebration their own and decide on their own ceremonial practices. Some families recite the principle that each candle represents as they light it, while others name deceased family members associated with a specific principle. Many families also include prayers at the beginning or end of the ceremony.
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The red candles represent the struggle
The kinara is a candle holder with seven branches used during Kwanzaa celebrations. The word kinara is derived from the Swahili word for candle holder. During Kwanzaa, a candle is lit each day, with the centre black candle being lit first, followed by the three red candles, and then the three green ones. The black candle represents unity, the red candles represent the struggle, and the green candles represent the future.
The red candles are lit on the second, third, and fourth days of Kwanzaa. The second day focuses on the principle of Kujichagulia, or self-determination. The third day is about Ujamaa, or cooperative economics. The fourth day centres Kuumba, or creativity. The red candles are lit in sequence from the one farthest from the black candle to the one closest to it.
The Kwanzaa celebration involves families and communities coming together to share a feast, honour their ancestors, and celebrate African and African American culture. The kinara is placed on a mkeka (mat) and decorated with the essential symbols of Kwanzaa, such as Muhindi (corn to represent children) and Mazao (fruit to represent the harvest). The lighting of the candles is accompanied by various activities, such as reciting the writings of great black thinkers and writers, original poetry, African drumming, and sharing meals inspired by the African diaspora.
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The green candles represent the future
The kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The word kinara is a Swahili word that means candle holder. The kinara is the centre of the Kwanzaa setting and represents the original stalk from which we came—our ancestry. The kinara can be shaped like straight lines, semicircles, or spirals, as long as the seven candles are separate and distinct, like a candelabra.
During Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, honour their ancestors, affirm the bonds between them, and celebrate African and African American culture. Each day, they light a candle to highlight the principle of that day and to breathe meaning into the principles with various activities. The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, are a set of ideals created by Dr. Maulana Karenga.
The three green candles on the right of the kinara represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities that the future holds. The colour green symbolises the good future that is forged in righteous and relentless struggle. The green candle Ujima (3) is lit on the third day of Kwanzaa, followed by Kujichagulia (5) on the fifth day, and Imani (7) on the seventh day.
The first known use of the word "Kinara" is dated 1975. Each of the candles also has a meaning. The black candle symbolizes the people themselves, and the three red candles represent the struggle or blood shed in the past.
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Frequently asked questions
There are seven candles on a Kwanzaa Kinara.
There are three red candles, three green candles, and one black candle.
The black candle represents the people, the red candles represent the struggle or blood shed in the past, and the green candles represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
The black candle is lit first, followed by the red candle on its immediate right, and then the green candle on its immediate left. The candles continue to alternate until all seven are lit.
