Tyler Brooks
The Kinara is a candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. Kwanzaa is a seven-day African American and Pan African holiday observed from 26 December through to 1 January. It is anchored by seven principles known as the Nguzo Saba, which aims to inspire Black people to be united, self-determined, accountable for their communities, financially invested in Black-owned businesses, purposeful with their lives, creative and full of faith. The Kinara holds seven candles—three red, three green, and a single black candle in the middle—that represent these seven principles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 |
| Colour of candles | 3 red, 3 green, 1 black |
| What the candles represent | The seven principles of Kwanzaa, the great struggle of African people |
| What the colours represent | Black: people, Red: their struggle, Green: future and hope that comes from their struggle |
| What the principles are | Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Kuumba (creativity), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), Imani (faith) |
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What You'll Learn
The Kinara is a candle holder with seven branches
The seven candles on the Kinara consist of three red candles, three green candles, and a single black candle in the centre. The colours of the candles are not arbitrary but instead hold symbolic meaning. The black candle represents the first principle, Umoja, which means unity. The three red candles stand for the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Kuumba (creativity). Finally, the three green candles symbolise Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), and Imani (faith).
During the week-long celebration of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit each day, with families discussing the importance of one principle and how it fosters community among African Americans. The black candle is lit first, followed by the candles alternating from left to right until the seventh day.
The word "Kinara" is derived from the Swahili language and means "candle holder". The first Kinara was handcrafted by US Organization member Buddy Rose-Aminifu in 1967, after the group had used a broken Hanukkah menorah to hold the seven candles during the inaugural Kwanzaa celebration in 1966.
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The candles are red, green and black
The kinara is a candle holder with seven branches, used during Kwanzaa celebrations. Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration of African roots, observed by people of all faiths. The seven candles of the kinara represent the seven principles or values that underpin the holiday.
The colours of Kwanzaa are black, red, and green. The candles are arranged with 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 remaining candles from left to right on the following days. Each day of Kwanzaa is therefore dedicated to the contemplation of one of the seven principles.
The red, green, and black candles each have their own meaning. The black candle represents the first principle, Umoja, or unity. The three red candles stand for the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), and Kuumba (creativity). Finally, the three green candles represent Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose), and Imani (faith).
The colours black, red, and green were originally given to represent African Americans by civil rights activist and Pan-Africanism leader Marcus Garvey.
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The colours and candles have symbolic meanings
The kinara is a candle holder with seven branches, used in Kwanzaa celebrations. It holds seven candles—three red, three green, and one black—that represent the seven principles that are the foundation of Kwanzaa, a Pan-African and African-American holiday. Kwanzaa, which takes place from December 26 to January 1, is observed by people of all faiths as it is not tied to any religion.
Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the contemplation of one of the seven principles, with a new candle lit each day. Families discuss the importance of each principle and how it fosters community among African Americans. The lighting of the candles proceeds from left to right, with the new candle lit corresponding to the principle of the day.
The colours black, red, and green are said to be the colours of African American people, originally designated by civil rights activist and Pan-Africanism leader Marcus Garvey.
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The candles are lit one by one over seven days
The Kinara is a candle holder with seven branches, used during the week-long Kwanzaa celebrations in the United States. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African roots, observed by people of all faiths. It was founded in 1966 by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga.
The Kinara holds seven candles—three red, three green, and one black—that represent the seven principles that are the foundation of the African American celebration of Kwanzaa. The black candle is placed in the centre of the Kinara and is known as the unity candle. 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).
The lighting of the Kinara is a key Kwanzaa custom. Kwanzaa begins with a candle-lighting ceremony, and one candle is lit every day. The black candle is lit first, followed by the red candle on its immediate right on the second day, and then the green candle on its immediate left on the third day. This pattern of alternating sides continues until all seven candles are lit on the seventh day.
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Kwanzaa is a celebration of African roots
The word Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", meaning "first fruits", which refers to the harvest festivals celebrated across Africa. The holiday is symbolised by the lighting of the Kinara, a seven-branched candle holder. The Kinara holds seven candles, three red, three green, and one black candle in the centre. Each candle represents one of the seven principles, with the black candle symbolising unity, the red candles representing self-determination, cooperative economics, and creativity, and the green candles representing collective work and responsibility, purpose, and faith.
The lighting of the Kinara is a key Kwanzaa custom. On the first day, the black unity candle is lit, followed by the red candle to its right on the second day, and the green candle to its left on the third. This process continues until all seven candles are lit on the seventh day. The candles are placed on a mkeka, a mat that symbolises the foundation of African tradition and history.
Kwanzaa is a time for African Americans to unite and celebrate their heritage and culture. It is a holiday centred around community, with families gathering to discuss the importance of each principle and how it fosters unity and strength.
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Frequently asked questions
A Kinara holds seven candles.
There are three red candles, three green candles, and one black candle.
The colours of the candles represent the colours of African American people. Black symbolises the people, red symbolises their struggle, and green represents the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
The Kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations, which is an African American and Pan-African holiday. The seven candles represent the seven principles or "Nguzo Saba" that are the foundation of Kwanzaa, aiming to inspire Black people to be united, self-determined, accountable for their communities, financially invested in Black-owned businesses, purposeful with their lives, creative, and full of faith.
The black candle, also known as the unity candle, is lit first on the first day of Kwanzaa. The remaining candles are then lit from left to right on the following days, with each day dedicated to the contemplation of one of the seven principles.
