Jessie Taylor
Kwanzaa is a seven-day African American and Pan-African holiday celebrated from December 26 through January 1. It was founded in 1966 in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga. During Kwanzaa, seven candles are placed in the official candle holder, the kinara, which supports the mishumaa saba (seven candles). Each candle represents one of the seven core principles (nguzo saba) of Kawaida philosophy. The three official Kwanzaa colors are black, red, and green. The green candles represent the fertile land and the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Green |
| Symbolizes | Hope and the future |
| Represents | The land, our hopes for the future, and the abundance of possibilities the future holds |
| Number of candles | Three |
| Order of lighting | Green candles are lit after the black candle, from left to right |
| Alternating colours | Some people choose to light the candles by alternating between red and green |
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What You'll Learn
The green candle symbolises the land
The three green candles represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities that the future holds. The first of these is the Nia candle, which symbolises the concept of building up the community. The second is the Kuumba candle, which honours the principle of creativity in the context of the community and the land. The third green candle, the Imani, is lit to celebrate faith.
Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga. It was formed as a way to empower people to rediscover their African heritage and to celebrate the richness of African roots. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1, ending with a ritual feast and the exchange of gifts.
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Green also represents hope for the future
The colour green is one of the three official colours of Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration of family, community, and African culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 26 through January 1, and each day a candle is lit on the kinara (candleholder) and a principle is discussed with family and friends. The kinara holds seven candles, one black candle, three red candles, and three green candles. Each candle represents one of the seven principles guiding Kwanzaa.
The black candle is placed in the middle of the kinara, with the three red candles on its right and the three green candles on its left. The black candle symbolizes the people, specifically African people and their unity. The three red candles represent the struggle or blood shed in the past.
Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga. It was formed as a way to empower people to rediscover their African heritage and express the Nguzo Saba, a value system organized by seven key principles.
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The Nia candle symbolises building up the community
The Nia candle is one of the three green candles lit during Kwanzaa, a seven-day celebration honouring African roots and heritage. Kwanzaa was founded in 1966 in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga. The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", meaning "first fruits", referring to the agricultural harvest festivals found throughout Africa.
The three green candles represent the land and the abundance of possibilities the future holds. The Nia candle symbolises building up the community, with a focus on building to the greatness of past African civilisations. This idea of community is central to Kwanzaa, with the seven principles said to be the building blocks for creating strong, productive families and communities in Africa.
The other six principles are Umoja, or unity; Kujichagulia, or self-determination; Ujima, or collective work and responsibility; Ujamaa, or cooperative economics; Kuumba, or creativity; and Imani, or faith. Each principle is discussed in turn during Kwanzaa, with the final day being a day of reflection and recommitment to these principles.
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The Kuumba candle honours the principle of creativity
The seven Kwanzaa candles are placed in the kinara, or candleholder, and each represents one of the seven core principles (nguzo saba) of Kawaida philosophy. The candles are lit one by one on each day of Kwanzaa, with a principle being discussed with family and friends. The black candle is typically lit first and is larger than the others as it needs to burn the longest. It represents the people and the concept of unity. The three red candles are lit next, representing the struggle and blood shed in the past. Finally, the three green candles are lit, representing the Earth, the land, and the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
The green Kuumba candle is one of these three green candles. While green symbolizes the land and our hopes for the future, the Kuumba candle specifically honours the principle of creativity. This principle emphasizes finding creative ways to help people grow within the community. It is not just about creativity for its own sake, but rather creativity applied to the community as a whole. The lighting of the Kuumba candle encourages us to harness our creativity to build a better future for ourselves and those around us.
The order in which the candles are lit is significant. By lighting the black candle first, it is emphasized that the people come first. The subsequent lighting of the red and green candles then symbolizes hope in the midst of struggle. The arrangement of the candles in the kinara also holds meaning. The black candle is placed in the middle, with the red and green ones on the sides, visually uniting the people (represented by the black candle) with their struggles (red candles) and hopes for the future (green candles).
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The Imani candle celebrates faith
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration that runs from December 26 through January 1. It was founded in 1966 in the United States by activist and educator Dr. Maulana Karenga. The name Kwanzaa comes from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza", which means "'first fruits" or harvest.
During Kwanzaa, seven candles are placed in the official candle holder, the kinara, which supports the mishumaa saba (seven candles). Each candle represents one of the seven core principles (nguzo saba) of Kawaida philosophy. The three official Kwanzaa colours are black, red, and green.
The Imani candle, one of the three green candles, is lit to celebrate faith. It represents the greatness of past African civilizations and the principle of creativity when applied to the community as a whole. The green colour of the Imani candle symbolizes the land and our hopes for the future.
The black candle, which is typically larger than the other candles, symbolizes the people themselves. The three red candles represent the struggle or blood shed in the past, with each candle also having a specific meaning based on a principle of Kwanzaa.
The seven Kwanzaa symbols are arranged on the mkeka, a mat made of straw or African cloth, symbolizing the history and foundation of the communities built. The symbols include the vibunzi, which means the ear of corn, representing fertility and the concept of children carrying out future hopes of families. The kinara, or candleholder, represents stalks of corn that branch off to form new stalks.
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Frequently asked questions
The Kwanzaa candles are black, red, and green.
The black candle symbolizes the people and the concept of unity.
The green candles represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities the future holds. They symbolize hope and the land, and our hopes for the future.
