During Kwanzaa candles are placed in a special candleholder
called the Kinara. There are seven candles (Mishumaa Saba) used, each
representing one of the Seven Principles (Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. It
should not be confused with the Menorah which is lit during Hanukkah.
The colors of the
candles are red, green, and black which are the colors of the Bendera
(or African Flag). The Mishumaa Saba consists of a single black candle,
3 red and 3 green candles.
When putting the
candles in the Kinara, the 3 red candles are placed on the left side.
The 3 green candles are placed on the right. The single black candle is
placed in the center and is the candle which will be lit first. On each
day of Kwanzaa a new candle will be lit as a symbol of the Kwanzaa Nguzo
or principle of that day. The candles will be lit in alternating colors.
First the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red candle, then
the farthest right green candle, then the next red, then next green,
then the last red, and then the final green.
The honor of lighting
the candles depends on the family itself. As there are no rules as to
who lights the candles, many families give the honor to the youngest
child. Some give it to the eldest family member. And others share the
duties, with a different family member lighting the candles each night.
Lighting the Kinara
On the first day of
Kwanzaa the black candle is lit, representing the first principle of
Kwanzaa - Umoja
(oo-MOH-jah): Unity.
On the second day the
black candle is again lit, as well as the farthest red candle on the
left. This represents the 2nd principle of Kwanzaa - Kujichagulia
(koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination.
On the third day the
black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, and then the farthest
right green candle. This represents the 3rd principle of Kwanzaa - Ujima
(oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility.
On the fourth day the
black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, and then the farthest
right green. Then the next red candle on the left. This represents the
4th principle of Kwanzaa - Ujamaa
(oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics
On the fifth day the
black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right
green, the next red and then the next green candle. This represents the
5th principle of Kwanzaa - Nia
(NEE-ah): Purpose
On the sixth day the
black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right
green, the next red, the next green and then the final red candle. This
represents the 6th principle of Kwanzaa - Kuumba
(koo-OOM-bah): Creativity
On the seventh day the
black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right
green, the next red candle, the next green, the final red and then the
final green candle. This represents the 7th principle of Kwanzaa - Imani
(ee-MAH-nee): Faith
On the seventh and
final day of Kwanzaa all candles in the Kinara are lit. When the night
is done, the family takes one last drink from the Unity cup and the
candles are extinguished. Kwanzaa is over till next year.
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