Jessie Taylor
The candle holder used in Kwanzaa is called a kinara. It is a seven-branched candle holder that holds seven candles, three red ones on the left, three green ones on the right, and a black candle in the centre. The word kinara is derived from the Swahili word for candle holder. The candles represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa, with each candle representing one principle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kinara |
| Description | A seven-branched candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations |
| Number of candles | Seven |
| Colour of candles | Three red, three green, and one black |
| Placement of candles | Three red on the left, three green on the right, and a single black candle in the centre |
| Lighting order | The black candle is lit first, followed by alternating between the red and green candles from the outside inwards |
| Symbolism | The original stalk from which all African ancestors came |
| First known use | 1975 |
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What You'll Learn
Kinara means candle holder in Swahili
Kinara is a candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The word "kinara" comes from Swahili and means "candle holder". It holds seven candles, which represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. The candles are red, green, and black—symbolic colours of the African people and their struggles. During Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the kinara each day, with the centre black candle lit first, followed by alternating red and green candles from the outside inwards.
The kinara is one of the primary symbols of Kwanzaa, along with the seven candles, the unity cup (Kikombe cha Umoja), the placemat (Mkeka), crops (Mazao), corn (Muhindi), and gifts (Zawadi). All of these items are displayed on the Mkeka, a mat made of straw, fabric, or paper that symbolises the foundation of African traditions and history.
The first kinara is believed to have been crafted by US Organisation member Buddy Rose-Aminifu in 1967. Early photographs show that it was made from a wooden log with holes drilled into it to hold the candles. Today, kinaras come in various sizes and designs, often handmade and accompanied by instructions on how to celebrate Kwanzaa.
The lighting of the kinara holds cultural significance. On the first day of Kwanzaa, the black candle, also known as the unity candle, is lit to symbolise the unity of family and the African people. The three red candles to the left of the black candle represent self-determination (Kujichagulia), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), and creativity (Kuumba). The three green candles to the right symbolise collective work and responsibility (Ujima), purpose (Nia), and faith (Imani). Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to contemplating one of these principles.
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The seven candles represent the Seven Principles
The candle holder used in Kwanzaa is called a Kinara, which is a Swahili word meaning candle holder. It holds seven candles, which represent the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. The Kinara is one of the primary symbols of Kwanzaa, along with the seven candles, the unity cup, placemat, crops, corn, and gifts.
The seven candles are red, green, and black—the symbolic colours of Kwanzaa, which represent the African people and their struggles. The black candle symbolises the people themselves, while the three red candles represent the struggle and blood shed in the past, and the three green candles represent the Earth and the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
Each night during the week-long Kwanzaa celebration, one candle is lit. The black candle is lit first, followed by the red and green candles, starting with the outermost ones and moving inwards. Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the contemplation of one of the Seven Principles.
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are as follows:
- Umoja (Unity): This principle emphasises the goal of unity in the family, community, nation, and race. It calls for people to come together and work collectively for the betterment of their communities.
- Kujichagulia (Self-determination): This principle empowers individuals to define, name, create, and speak for themselves. It encourages self-empowerment and self-definition, allowing people to write their own narratives.
- Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): Ujima focuses on the importance of collective work and mutual responsibility for the development and preservation of Black communities. It promotes the idea of shared struggles and successes.
- Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): This principle values cooperative economics and encourages the establishment and support of Black-owned businesses and enterprises. It recognises the importance of economic empowerment within the community.
- Nia (Purpose): Nia emphasises the importance of having a sense of purpose and direction in life. It encourages individuals to discover their passions and use their talents to contribute to the community.
- Kuumba (Creativity): Creativity is celebrated with this principle, urging people to always do their best to leave their community better than they found it. It inspires innovation and the pursuit of excellence.
- Imani (Faith): The final principle, Imani, fosters faith and belief in oneself, the community, and a higher power. It encourages resilience and hope for the future.
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The candles are red, green, and black
The candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations is called a "kinara". It is a seven-branched candle holder that holds the "mishumaa saba", or the seven candles, which come in red, green, and black. These three colours are the symbolic colours of Kwanzaa, with each colour holding a special meaning. The black candle, placed in the centre of the kinara, symbolises the first principle of Kwanzaa, "umoja" (unity). The three red candles represent the principles of "kujichagulia" (self-determination), "ujamaa" (cooperative economics), and "kuumba" (creativity). Finally, the three green candles stand for the principles of "ujima" (collective work and responsibility), "nia" (purpose), and "imani" (faith).
The kinara is placed on a "mkeka" (mat), which is usually made of straw, fabric, or paper, and symbolises the foundation of African traditions and history. The candles are lit one by one, starting with the black candle on the first day, and proceeding from left to right, with a new candle lit each day to correspond with the principle being contemplated.
The first kinara was crafted by US Organisation member Buddy Rose-Aminifu in 1967. It was made of a wooden log with holes drilled into it to support the candles. Today, many kinaras are still handmade and come with instructions on how to celebrate Kwanzaa at home.
The colours of the Kwanzaa candles are also said to symbolise the African people and their struggles. The red represents the blood and sacrifice of the people, the black honours their identity and strength, and the green symbolises the prosperity and promise of their future.
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The black candle is lit first
The candle holder used during Kwanzaa is called a Kinara. It holds seven candles, which represent the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, or the Nguzo Saba. The candles are red, green, and black, symbolic of African people and their struggles. The black candle, which represents unity or Umoja, is lit first on the first day of Kwanzaa.
The black candle is placed in the centre of the Kinara, with three red candles to its left and three green candles to its right. The red candles represent the principles of self-determination (Kujichagulia), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), and creativity (Kuumba). The green candles represent the principles of collective work and responsibility (Ujima), purpose (Nia), and faith (Imani).
On the first day of Kwanzaa, the black candle is lit first, followed by the remaining candles on the following days, from left to right. The official Kwanzaa website suggests that the black candle be lit first, followed by the candles to its right, and then moving to the first green candle beside it. However, some people choose to light the candles in an alternating pattern, starting with the closest red candle to the black candle and then moving to the first green candle.
The Kinara is one of the seven symbols of Kwanzaa, which is celebrated from December 26 to January 1. The other symbols include the Mkeka (a mat made of straw, fabric, or paper), Mazao (crops, fruits, and vegetables), Mishumaa (the seven candles), Muhindi (corn representing African children), Kikombe cha Umoja (the Unity Cup), and Zawadi (gifts). These symbols are placed on the Mkeka mat during the Kwanzaa celebration.
The Kwanzaa holiday is a time to celebrate the richness of African roots and to honour the Seven Principles, which aim to inspire Black people to be united, self-determined, accountable, financially invested in Black-owned businesses, purposeful, creative, and full of faith.
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The Kinara holds seven candles
The Kinara is a candle holder used in Kwanzaa celebrations. The name is derived from the Swahili word for candle holder. Shortly before the first Kwanzaa celebration in 1966, Maulana Karenga searched for a candle holder with seven holes. The Kinara holds seven candles, three red ones on the left, three green ones on the right, and a black candle in the centre. Each night during the week-long Kwanzaa celebration, a candle is lit. The black candle is lit first, followed by alternating red and green candles, starting with the outermost candles and moving inwards. The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. The colours of the candles are symbolic of the African people and their struggles, with black representing unity, red representing the blood shed in the past, and green representing the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
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Frequently asked questions
The candle holder used in Kwanzaa is called a Kinara.
The Kinara is a candle holder with seven branches, representing the original stalk from which all African ancestors came. It holds seven candles—three red, three green, and one black.
The seven candles on the Kinara represent the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, also known as the Nguzo Saba. The black candle in the centre symbolises the first principle: unity (Umoja). The three red candles on the left represent the principles of self-determination (Kujichagulia), cooperative economics (Ujamaa), and creativity (Kuumba). The three green candles on the right symbolise collective work and responsibility (Ujima), purpose (Nia), and faith (Imani).
