The colors of Kwanzaa are black, red and green; black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and hope that comes from their struggle. Therefore there is one black candle, three red and three green candles. These are the mishumaa saba (the seven candles) and they represent the seven principles.
The black candle represents the first principle Umoja (unity) and is placed in the center of the kinara.
The red candles represent the principles of Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujamaa (cooperative economics) and Kuumba (creativity) and are placed to the left of the black candle.
The green candles represent the principles of Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Nia (purpose) and Imani (faith) and are placed to the right of the black candle.
The black candle is lit first on the first day of the celebration. And the remaining candles are lit afterwards from left to right (not alternating) on the following days. This procedure is to indicate that the people come first, then the struggle and then the hope that comes from the struggle. Each day the candles are re-lit in order. Each day, emphasis should be put on the meaning of the principle and how you have and plan to exhibit that principle throughout the year.
1 candle for each day.
The member of parliament of Kwanza is Ferdinand Wanyanyo.
Mishuma Saba is the name of the Kwanzaa candles. The seven candles are arranged in a special candle holder called the kinara. There are three red, one black and three green candles.
In the Kinara it hold seven (7) candles
A Kinara holds seven (7) candles.
Mfalme WA kwanza"First king" in Swahili is "mfalme WA kwanza." "Mfalme" means "king" and "kwanza" means "first."
A Kinara is a carved, wooden candle holder, used to house the 7 candles which are part of the celebration of Kwanzaa. The Kinara should be hewn from natural, untreated wood, contain metal cups in the wells for each candle for safety, and usually has a culturally relevant image carved in the Kinara. Each candle represents one of the 7 principles of Kwanza. These principles are to be used throughout the year by African and African American (Black) people of the Diaspora for the betterment of themselves, their families and their collective nation. Candles are used in many traditional African rituals and celebrations, as they provide one of the four necessary elements of life; fire. The candle also represent light, which is used to light our way through the ever present darkness of ignorance, showing us the way to a bright new future! Habari Ghani! Imani!
7
As long as they were all lit at the same time, they would burn for the same amount of time (regardless of the number of candles).
Angolan Kwanza :-)
1812
The Kwanza.
The Kwanza.