Brooke Martin
Kwanzaa is a cultural event created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, an African studies professor at California State University, to empower the African-American community and celebrate its vibrant culture and rich traditions. The holiday, which is less than 50 years old, involves the lighting of a Kinara, a seven-branched candle holder inspired by the Hanukkah Menorah. The Kinara holds seven candles, three red, three green, and one black, each representing one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 7 |
| Number of red candles | 3 |
| Number of green candles | 3 |
| Number of black candles | 1 |
| Arrangement of red candles | Left of the black candle |
| Arrangement of green candles | Right of the black candle |
| Candleholder name | Kinara |
| Number of branches | 7 |
| Meaning of Kinara | The candle holder represents the original stalk from which all African ancestors came |
| Meaning of candles | Each candle represents one of the seven principles |
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What You'll Learn
- The Kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa
- The seven candles represent seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith
- The candles are lit from left to right, with the centre black candle lit first
- The Kinara was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966, inspired by the Hanukkah menorah
- The Kinara represents the original stalk from which all African ancestors came
The Kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa
The Kinara is one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa, along with Mkeka (a mat, usually made of straw, upon which the other symbols are placed), Mazao (crops, fruits and vegetables representing traditional African harvest celebrations), Mishumaa (the seven candles), Muhindi (corn, representing African children and their future), Kikombe cha Umoja (the Unity Cup, symbolising the unity of family and the African people), and Zawadi (gifts, which are homemade and educational, reflecting African heritage). Kwanzaa was created to empower African Americans and show that they have a vibrant culture and rich traditions. It is a young holiday, less than 50 years old, and is celebrated by people of African descent, including Jews.
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The seven candles represent seven principles: unity, self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith
The Kinara, a seven-branched candle holder, is used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The word "Kinara" was first used in 1975. The Kinara holds seven candles, three red, three green, and one black, representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa.
The black candle, placed in the centre, symbolises unity (Umoja). To the left of the black candle are three red candles. These stand for the principles of self-determination (Kujichagulia), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), and creativity (Kuumba). To the right of the black candle are three green candles, which represent the principles of collective work and responsibility (Ujima), purpose (Nia), and faith (Imani).
Each day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the Kinara, starting with the black candle, then proceeding from left to right. Each day is dedicated to the contemplation of one of the seven principles.
The Kinara was created by Maulana Karenga, who also created Kwanzaa in 1966. Karenga, an African studies professor at California State University, established Kwanzaa to empower African Americans and connect them to their African culture. He based the Kinara on the Hanukkah menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum used in Jewish celebrations.
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The candles are lit from left to right, with the centre black candle lit first
The Kwanzaa menorah, or kinara, holds seven candles. 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 kinara was created by Maulana Karenga, who also created Kwanzaa in 1966. The design of the kinara was inspired by the Hanukkah menorah, with Karenga searching for a candle holder with seven holes to represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The first known use of the word "kinara" dates back to 1975.
During Kwanzaa celebrations, a new candle is lit on the kinara each day. The centre black candle is lit first, with the lighting proceeding from left to right. Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the contemplation of one of the Seven Principles, with the colour of each candle holding symbolic meaning. The black candle represents unity (Umoja), the three red candles represent self-determination (Kujichagulia), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), and creativity (Kuumba), and the three green candles represent collective work and responsibility (Ujima), purpose (Nia), and faith (Imani).
The kinara is a symbol of the original stalk from which all African ancestors came, with the seven candles representing the different principles of Kwanzaa. The lighting of the candles from left to right symbolises the progression through the principles and the dedication of each day to the contemplation of a specific principle.
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The Kinara was created by Maulana Karenga in 1966, inspired by the Hanukkah menorah
The Kinara, a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations, was created by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966. The design was inspired by the Hanukkah menorah, or hanukkiah, an eight- or nine-branched candelabrum used during the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
Shortly before the first Kwanzaa celebration in 1966, Karenga searched for a candle holder with seven holes to represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Unable to find a suitable handcrafted kinara, he adapted a Hanukkah menorah by breaking off two of its branches to hold the seven candles. The original kinara was thus a modified Hanukkah menorah, with three red candles on the left, three green candles on the right, and a single black candle in the centre.
The kinara holds symbolic meaning in Kwanzaa celebrations. It represents the original stalk from which all African ancestors came, with each of the seven candles representing one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa: unity (Umoja), self-determination (Kujichagulia), collective work and responsibility (Ujima), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), purpose (Nia), creativity (Kuumba), and faith (Imani).
The following year, in 1967, the first kinara specifically designed for Kwanzaa was crafted by US Organization member Buddy Rose-Aminifu. Early photographs of this kinara show a rudimentary design, with a wooden log drilled with holes to support the candles. Over time, the kinara evolved into a more refined candle holder, but it still retains its symbolic significance in Kwanzaa celebrations today.
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The Kinara represents the original stalk from which all African ancestors came
The Kinara is a seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations in the United States. Kwanzaa is a week-long secular holiday that was founded in 1966 and culminates on New Year's Day. It is a time to honour African traditions and encourage black people to reflect on the strength and knowledge of their ancestors.
During Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the Kinara each day, starting with the centre black candle. The lighting then proceeds from left to right, with each new candle corresponding to the principle of that day. In this way, each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the contemplation of one of the Seven Principles.
The Kinara is one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa, along with the Mishumaa (the seven candles), Muhindi (ears of corn representing African children), Kikombe cha Umoja (the Unity Cup), and Zawadi (gifts). These symbols and the candle-lighting ceremony each evening provide an opportunity to gather and discuss the meaning of Kwanzaa and the values of African culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Seven candles are placed on the Kinara, the Kwanzaa menorah.
The seven candles represent the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith).
Three of the candles are red, three are green, and one is black.
The red candles represent the struggles faced during slavery, colonisation, and modern-day oppression. The green candles symbolise the land and a hopeful future, and the black candle represents all people of African descent.
During the week-long Kwanzaa celebration, a new candle is lit each day, starting with the black candle in the centre.
