Jessie Taylor
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African-American culture that was started by Black nationalist Maulana Karenga in 1966. Each day, a candle is lit to represent the principle of that day. The candles are placed in a Kinara (candle holder) and the colours of the candles represent the Pan-African flag: red for the struggle, black for the people, and green for the future and hope that comes from the struggle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First candle | Black for the people |
| Second candle | Red for their struggle |
| Third candle | Green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle |
| Fourth candle | Green for creativity and making a difference in the community |
| Fifth candle | Green for purpose and personal and community goals |
| Sixth candle | Red |
| Seventh candle | Red for faith, honouring struggle, and believing in collective victory |
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What You'll Learn
The seven principles of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African-American culture that was started by Black nationalist Maulana Karenga in 1966. Each day of Kwanzaa has a different principle associated with it, and families light a candle each day to highlight that day's principle. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are as follows:
- Umoja (Unity): This principle emphasizes striving for and maintaining unity in the family, community, nation, and race. It encourages people to come together and honor their shared bonds.
- Kujichagulia (Self-determination): This principle is about defining, creating, and speaking for ourselves. It empowers individuals and communities to take control of their lives, names, and destinies.
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): This principle focuses on collective work and responsibility, encouraging people to build and maintain their community together and help each other.
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): This principle promotes cooperative economics and encourages people to build and support businesses and economic practices that benefit the community as a whole.
- Nia (Purpose): This principle is about looking within oneself to set personal goals and community goals. It inspires individuals to find their purpose and work towards a better future for themselves and others.
- Kuumba (Creativity): This principle celebrates creativity and challenges people to use their talents and skills to make a positive difference in their community, leaving it better than they inherited it.
- Imani (Faith): This principle is about believing in each other and honoring the righteous struggle of African and African-American people. It fosters faith in the community's ability to overcome challenges and achieve victory.
Each day of Kwanzaa, families gather to light a candle representing that day's principle. The candle holder is called the Kinara, and it holds the Mishumaa Saba, or seven candles. The candles typically include three green candles, three red candles, and one black candle, with the black candle being larger than the others as it burns the longest. The colors represent the people, their struggle, and the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
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The colours of the candles
The candles of Kwanzaa are called Mishumaa Saba, which means seven candles in Swahili. The candles are red, green, and black, and each colour has a distinct meaning. The black candle, which is usually larger than the others, symbolises the people, while the red candles represent the struggle of the African diaspora. The green candles embody hope and the promise of a better future.
On the first day of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit first, followed by the red and green candles on subsequent days. Each day, a candle is lit to represent one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa, known as Nguzo Saba. These principles guide the celebrations and activities during the week-long observance of Kwanzaa.
The order of lighting the candles is significant. The black candle, representing the people, is lit first to honour the community and their shared heritage. The red candles are lit next, acknowledging the struggles and challenges faced by the African diaspora. Finally, the green candles are illuminated, bringing hope and a forward-looking perspective to the celebration.
Families celebrating Kwanzaa may incorporate their unique traditions into the candle-lighting ceremony. Some families recite the principle associated with each candle as they light it, while others may name deceased family members who embodied a specific principle. The lighting of the candles is often accompanied by prayers, either at the beginning or end of the ceremony, or both.
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The candle holder (Kinara)
The candle holder, or Kinara, is an important part of the Kwanzaa celebration. It is one of the essential symbols of Kwanzaa, along with the Mkeka (mat), Muhindi (corn to represent children), Mazao (fruit to represent the harvest), and Zawadi (gifts). The Kinara holds the Mishumaa Saba (seven candles), which represent the guiding principles of Kwanzaa. The Kinara is placed on the Mkeka, and the candles are then added. The black candle is typically larger than the other candles as it needs to burn the longest, and it is lit first.
The Kinara is usually designed to hold taper candles, but some people choose to use pillar or votive candles instead. The lighting of the Kinara can be a ceremonial practice, with families reciting the principle that each candle represents as they light it or naming deceased family members associated with a specific principle. The oldest family member often lights the black candle, followed by other members lighting the red candles and children lighting the green candles.
The colours of the Kwanzaa candles—black, red, and green—each have a specific meaning. Black represents the people, red their struggle, and green the future and hope that comes from their struggle. These colours are also represented throughout the celebration space and in the clothing worn by participants.
The Kinara is placed in a central location in the home, along with the other symbols of Kwanzaa. The table is covered with a beautiful piece of African cloth to symbolize the celebration of African culture and heritage. The Mazao, or crops, are placed next to the Kinara, along with the Umoja, or unity cup, which sits on the Mkeka.
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The mat (Mkeka)
The Mkeka, or the mat, is one of the essential symbols of Kwanzaa. It represents the foundation of African heritage and is usually made of straw. The Mkeka is placed on a table, on top of a beautiful piece of African cloth, symbolising the rootedness of the tradition. The Kinara (candle holder) is then placed on the Mkeka, and the Mishumaa Saba (seven candles) are placed in the Kinara. The Mkeka is also where the unity cup (Umoja) is placed, along with the Mazao (crops or fruit representing the harvest).
The Mkeka is a symbol of the foundation of African culture and heritage, and its placement at the centre of the Kwanzaa celebration underscores its importance. The Mkeka is a physical representation of the connection to the past and the roots of the tradition. It is a reminder of the strength and resilience of African culture and its ability to withstand the test of time.
The Mkeka is also a symbol of unity and community. It serves as a reminder that we are all connected and that our strength lies in our collective efforts. The Mkeka is a simple yet powerful symbol of the importance of coming together and working towards a common goal. It represents the idea that we are all standing on the shoulders of those who came before us and that we have a responsibility to honour and respect our shared heritage.
The use of straw in the Mkeka is also significant. Straw is a natural, earthy material that has long been used in African cultures for various purposes, including roofing, bedding, and flooring. It is a durable and versatile material that has been used for centuries and continues to be an important resource in many African communities. The use of straw in the Mkeka is a nod to this long history and a way to honour the resourcefulness and ingenuity of African cultures.
The Mkeka is an important symbol of the richness and depth of African culture and heritage. Its presence at Kwanzaa celebrations serves as a reminder of the strength and beauty of traditional African values and practices. It encourages participants to reflect on their roots and to find meaning and inspiration in their shared history. The Mkeka is a powerful symbol of unity, heritage, and the enduring nature of African culture.
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The unity cup (Umoja)
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African-American culture that was started by Black nationalist Maulana Karenga in 1966. Each day, a candle is lit to highlight the principle of that day and to breathe meaning into the principle with various activities. The candle holder is known as the Kinara, and the seven candles are called Mishumaa Saba. The colours of Kwanzaa are black, red, and green. Black symbolises the people, red their struggle, and green the future and hope that comes from their struggle.
The unity cup, or Umoja, is one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa. It represents unity, the first principle of Kwanzaa, and is placed on the Mkeka, or placemat made of straw. The unity cup is a symbol of the unity that comes from shared history, common interests, and a common goal. It is a reminder that we are all in this together, and that we are stronger when we stand together. The unity cup is also a symbol of the unity between African Americans and their African heritage.
The unity cup is typically filled with a beverage that is shared by all participants during the Kwanzaa celebration. This can be a traditional African beverage such as sorghum beer or a modern beverage such as fruit juice or wine. The sharing of the beverage from the unity cup symbolises the sharing of experiences, the bonding of the community, and the celebration of African and African-American culture.
The unity cup is usually passed around the group in a clockwise direction, with each participant taking a sip or a drink from the cup. Some families may choose to recite the principle of unity or a prayer as the cup is passed, while others may share a story or experience that relates to the principle. The unity cup is a way to bring everyone together and to reinforce the sense of community and shared identity.
The unity cup is a powerful symbol of the strength and resilience of the African-American community. By coming together and celebrating their shared heritage, culture, and struggles, they can reinforce their bonds and work towards a better future. The unity cup is a reminder that we are all in this together and that unity is a source of strength and hope.
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Frequently asked questions
Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African-American culture started by Black nationalist Maulana Karenga in 1966.
Kinara is the candle holder that holds the seven candles representing the guiding principles of Kwanzaa.
Mishumaa Saba, or the seven candles, are placed in the Kinara. Each candle is lit on a different day of Kwanzaa, representing a specific principle.
The black candle is typically larger than the other candles as it needs to burn the longest. It is lit on the first day of Kwanzaa and represents the people.
The three green candles represent the principles of purpose, creativity, and faith. They are placed to the right of the black candles and are the last ones to be lit.
