What does each Kwanzaa candle represent?
What does each Kwanzaa candle represent?
When observing Kwanzaa, the black candle symbolizes the people themselves, the three red candles are for the struggle or blood shed in the past, and the three green candles represent the Earth or the abundance of possibilities the future holds.
What’s the Kwanzaa candle holder called?
kinara
Symbols of Kwanzaa The kinara is a seven-space candle holder, representing the original stalk from which the African people originated. The mishumaa saba (seven candles) stand for the Seven Principles.
What are the 7 Kwanzaa candles called?
(Mishumaa Saba):
‘ The seven candles (Mishumaa Saba): These represent the seven principles of Kwanzaa – unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith.
What do the 7 Kwanzaa candles stand for?
Seven symbols are displayed during the Kwanzaa ceremony to represent the seven principles of African culture and community. The candles are red, green, and black — symbolic of the African people and their struggles. Muhindi (Moo-heen-dee) – The corn represents African children and the promise of their future.
In what order do you light the Kwanzaa candles?
The official lighting direction is to light the center black candle first, then proceed from left to right, beginning with the leftmost red candle. Alternatively, some prefer to light the center black candle first, then alternate between red and green candles, beginning with the leftmost red candle, followed by the rightmost green candle, and so on, moving from the outer candles inward.
Kwanzaa/Candle lighting direction
How do you burn Kwanzaa candles?
According to the Official Kwanzaa Website, the proper order of lighting the Kinara is to:
- First day: Light the black candle on the first day of Kwanzaa.
- Second day: You’ll light the black candle and the far left red candle.
- Third day: You’ll light the black candle and the two far left red candles.
Why is December 26th called Kwanzaa?
Kwanzaa is an African-Americans celebration of life from 26 December to 1 January. Dr. Maulana Karenga introduced the festival in 1966 to the United States as a ritual to welcome the first harvests to the home. Karenga created this festival for Afro-Americans as a response to the commercialism of Christmas.
What does a kinara look like?
A kinara hold seven candles, three red ones on the left, three green ones on the right with a black candle in the center. Each night during Kwanzaa a candle is lit. The black, center, candle is lit first and then it alternates between the red and green candles stating with the ones on the outside and moving inwards.
How do you say Happy Kwanzaa in English?
1. “Habari Gani!” 2. “Have a blessed Kwanzaa.”
How do you light Kwanzaa candles?
Each night during Kwanzaa a candle is lit. The black, center, candle is lit first and then it alternates between the red and green candles stating with the ones on the outside and moving inwards. This is quite similar to the lighting of the menorah in the Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah.
How many candles do you light on Kwanzaa?
seven candles
During the week-long celebration of Kwanzaa, seven candles are placed in the kinara—three red on the left, three green on the right, and a single black candle in the center. The word kinara is a Swahili word that means candle holder. The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa.
What food is eaten on Kwanzaa?
Main dishes are always the highlight of dinner. For your Kwanzaa meal, try African creole, Cajun catfish, jerk chicken, or Groundnut stew, a tasty dish from West Africa. For your side we’ve got many traditional Kwanzaa recipes, including Jollof rice, collard greens, Kwanzaa slaw, grits, beans and rice, and okra.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBxXzc70-nw
