Brooke Martin
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African-American culture, founded in 1966 by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga. The seven candles of Kwanzaa are called Mishumaa Sabaa, and they represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa, or Nguzo Saba. Each day of Kwanzaa, a candle is lit to represent a principle, starting with the black candle, which symbolises unity. The three red candles are lit on the following days and represent the struggle and the blood shed in the past. The three green candles are lit last and represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
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What You'll Learn
The seven candles are called Mishumaa Sabaa
Each day of Kwanzaa, a candle is lit to represent the principle of that day. The first candle to be lit is the black candle, which symbolises unity, or Umoja. The three red candles are lit next, representing the struggle or blood shed in the past, and the three principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), and Ujaama (cooperative economics). The three green candles are lit last, representing the Earth and the abundance of possibilities that the future holds. The final candle, Imani, symbolises faith and is the seventh and final principle.
The candles are placed in the Kinara (candle holder) in a specific order, with the black candle in the centre, the three red candles to its left, and the three green candles to its right. The lighting of each candle follows a specific procedure, with the black candle lit first, followed by the red candles from left to right, and finally the green candles. On the last day, all seven candles are lit, representing the completion of the seven principles.
The colours of the Mishumaa Sabaa are significant, with black symbolising the people, red representing their struggle, and green standing for the future that comes from their struggle. These colours are also found in the Pan-African flag and are said to have been originally given by civil rights activist Marcus Garvey, leader of the Pan-Africanism movement.
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The candles are placed in a candle holder called the Kinara
The seven candles of Kwanzaa are placed in a candle holder called the Kinara. The candles are one of the seven basic symbols of Kwanzaa, with each candle representing one of the seven core principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kawaida philosophy. The seven principles are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and the rewards of productive and collective labour.
The Kinara is lit daily, with one candle lit on each day of Kwanzaa. The black candle, which symbolises the people, is lit first, followed by the three red candles to its left, and then the three green candles. The red candles represent the struggle or blood shed in the past, while the green candles represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
The proper order of lighting the Kinara is as follows: on the first day, the black candle is lit. On the second day, the black candle and the far-left red candle are lit. On the third day, the black candle and the two far-left red candles are 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. On the fifth day, the black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles, moving from left to right, and then the green candle beside the black candle. 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 the candles are lit, starting with the black candle, then moving to the far-left red candle, and proceeding to light all the red candles, before lighting the first green candle beside the black candle, and continuing until all the green candles are lit.
The lighting procedure symbolises the priority of the people, followed by their struggle, and then the hope that comes from the struggle.
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The black candle symbolises unity
The black candle, also known as the unity candle, is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa. It symbolises the people themselves and the principle of unity, or Umoja. The goal of unity in the family, community, nation, and race is declared on this day. The black candle is placed in the centre of the Kinara (candle holder) and lit first to stress the priority of the people.
The black candle is one of the seven candles (Mishumaa Sabaa) that represent the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African-American culture, started by Black nationalist Maulana Karenga in 1966. It is celebrated from December 26 through January 1.
The seven principles give Kwanzaa its core and seven days of cultural focus. Kwanzaa was formed as a way to empower people to rediscover their African heritage and express the Nguzo Saba. The seven principles are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and the rewards of productive and collective labour.
The black candle is lit first, followed by the three red candles, which represent the struggle or blood shed in the past, and then the three green candles, which represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities the future holds. The colours of the Kwanzaa flag are black, red, and green, which were originally given by civil rights activist Marcus Garvey.
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The three red candles represent the struggle and blood shed in the past
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African-American culture that takes place from December 26 through January 1. It was founded in 1966 in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga, amidst the Black Power Movement of the 1960s. The aim was to empower people to reconnect with their African heritage and to celebrate family, community, and culture.
The seven candles of Kwanzaa, known as Mishumaa Sabaa, are its primary symbols. Each candle represents one of the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kawaida philosophy. The seven principles are:
- Umoja (unity)
- Kujichagulia (self-determination)
- Ujima (collective work and responsibility)
- Ujaama (cooperative economics)
- Nia (purpose)
- Kuumba (creativity)
- Imani (faith)
The three red candles of Kwanzaa represent the struggle and bloodshed in the past. The colour red symbolises the struggle of African Americans and Pan-Africans, and the blood shed by their ancestors. The red candles are placed to the left of the black candle in the Mishumaa Sabaa. The second candle lit during Kwanzaa is the red candle closest to the black candle, symbolising the importance of struggle after prioritising the people. The red candle represents Kujichagulia, or self-determination, which is the ability to define, name, create, and speak for oneself.
On the third day, the third red candle is lit, representing the principle of Ujima, or collective work and responsibility. This principle is about building and developing the community to restore African Americans and Pan-Americans to their traditional greatness. The fourth candle, lit on the fourth day, is also a red candle, representing the principle of Ujaama, or cooperative economics. This principle is about building and profiting from community-owned businesses.
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The three green candles represent the Earth and future possibilities
The seven candles of Kwanzaa are known as Mishumaa Sabaa, and they are placed in a candle holder called a Kinara. Each of the seven candles represents one of the seven principles (nguzo saba) of Kawaida philosophy. The three green candles represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities that the future holds.
The first day of Kwanzaa is marked by lighting the black candle, also known as the unity candle, which symbolises the people. The second day involves lighting the red candle to the immediate right of the unity candle, with the three red candles symbolising the struggle and blood shed in the past. On the third day, the first of the three green candles is lit to the immediate left of the black candle.
The lighting of the green candles symbolises the Earth and the future, with the colour green representing the future in the Kwanzaa flag. The future is also symbolised by the green candles in the clothing worn by participants. The three green candles are lit on days three, five, and six, with the final candle lit on the seventh day, when all seven candles are illuminated.
The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). Each day of Kwanzaa involves lighting a candle to represent the principle of that day, with activities such as reciting the words of great Black thinkers and writers, original poetry, African drumming, and sharing a meal of African diaspora-inspired foods.
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