Kwanzaa on the Net - Lighting The Kwanzaa Kinara

Lighting The Kwanzaa Kinara

First Day of Kwanzaa

On the first day of Kwanzaa the black candle is lit, representing the first principle of Kwanzaa - Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity.

Second Day of Kwanzaa

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.

Third Day of Kwanzaa

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.

Fourth Day of Kwanzaa

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.

Fifth Day of Kwanzaa

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.

Sixth Day of Kwanzaa

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.

Seventh Day of Kwanzaa

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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Comments

Sue from California, US

11:49 11/09/2009

I found black candles during Halloween and also a company that does "in-home" parties, called Party-Lights has black tapers by the dozen. Hope this helps. I am looking for a descent Kinara for our school library. Any advice?

Imani

21:16 09/29/2009

me and my family and friends do kwanzaa every year its soo fun

hey you there

10:33 03/01/2009

dis site is wierd. Y is it so wide? and half of da words r in da black shaded region. yall need 2 fix dat or ppl r gonna hav a hard tyme readin it.

Hunk

16:40 12/29/2008

You need a better picture of the Kinara.

venus anders from California, US

00:39 12/29/2008

Kwanzaa is an excellent way to connect my family to our past, identify where we are, and set goals better our lives.

Chief Iyanifa Fagbemileke Fatunmise from Georgia, US

04:28 12/27/2008

Habari Gani to my fellow soul mates who celebrate, honor and embraced Kwanzaa. May our Ancestors rise up as we step to the occasion of reclaiming our Afrikan heritage and who we really are. Be PROUD!

Timisha Melton

12:28 12/26/2008

Reminder about lighting the candles today the black candle is lite

Jennifer Rooney from Louisiana, US

23:20 12/13/2008

This year I bought a beautiful Kinara but I am having a problem finding a full size (11.5") black taper for the center candle. Can you help.

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