Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African heritage and culture observed from December 26 to January 1. An important part of Kwanzaa traditions is the lighting of the mishumaa saba, or seven candles. Each candle represents one of the seven principles (Nguzo Saba) on which Kwanzaa is based. The candles are lit in a specific order over the seven days of Kwanzaa.
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa
The seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, are values that reflect African culture and contribute to community building and reinforcement. They serve as a common moral framework and value system for Kwanzaa. The seven principles are:
| Principle | Swahili Translation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Umoja | Unity | To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. |
| Kujichagulia | Self-Determination | To define and name ourselves, as well as to create and speak for ourselves. |
| Ujima | Collective Work and Responsibility | To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems and to solve them together. |
| Ujamaa | Cooperative Economics | To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together. |
| Nia | Purpose | To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. |
| Kuumba | Creativity | To do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. |
| Imani | Faith | To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle. |
Each principle is represented by a candle that is lit on a specific day. The colors of the candles are also symbolic – three are red, three are green, and one is black.
Order and Meaning of the Candles
On each of the seven nights of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit after the preceding ones, progressing from left to right. The colors and order are as follows:
| Day | Candle Color | Principle |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Day | Black | Umoja (Unity) |
| 2nd Day | Red | Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) |
| 3rd Day | Green | Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) |
| 4th Day | Red | Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) |
| 5th Day | Green | Nia (Purpose) |
| 6th Day | Red | Kuumba (Creativity) |
| 7th Day | Green | Imani (Faith) |
– On the first day, the black candle representing unity is lit. This candle is placed in the center of the kinara (candle holder).
– On the second day, the first red candle representing self-determination is lit.
– On the third day, the first green candle representing collective work and responsibility is lit.
– On the fourth day, the second red candle representing cooperative economics is lit.
– On the fifth day, the second green candle representing purpose is lit.
– On the sixth day, the final red candle representing creativity is lit.
– On the seventh and final day, the last green candle representing faith is lit.
By the end of Kwanzaa, all seven candles are lit, representing the symbolic embodiment of the Seven Principles. The lighting of the candles progresses from the first principle Umoja (unity) to the last principle Imani (faith), showing a people coming together, building community, and gaining purpose through creative work and economics, with faith in their common heritage and future.
Candle Lighting Ceremony and Practices
The candle lighting ceremony each evening brings the family together to celebrate Kwanzaa and reflect on the principle associated with that day. The candles are arranged in a special candle holder called a kinara, which holds seven candles. Traditionally, the kinara is placed on a mat, which may be made of straw or African cloth.
Here is a typical candle lighting ceremony on each night:
– The family gathers around the kinara.
– One person lights that night’s candle saying “Habari gani?” which means “What’s the news?”
– Another person responds with the principle associated with that candle, saying “Today is [principle] day.”
– There may be a reading, statement or explanation about that principle’s meaning.
– Often there is drumming, singing, dancing, poetry reading, or other cultural expressions.
– Guests may be invited to give testimony related to the principle.
– A communal feast called Karamu is held on the sixth night.
– On the seventh night, gifts are exchanged, especially books and heritage symbols to reinforce learning about African culture.
The candle lighting ceremony brings focus to the meaning of each principle and brings the family together regularly to celebrate their shared heritage. The lighting of the candles in order over seven nights serves as a symboliccountdown to the New Year and a reinforcement of values.
Conclusion
The seven candles lit during Kwanzaa represent the seven principles, or Nguzo Saba, which reflect ideals of African culture and community building. Each candle is lit on a specific night in a certain order. The black candle representing unity is lit first. Then, the three red and three green candles representing self-determination, collective work, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith are lit on subsequent nights. The lighting of the candles brings families together to reinforce these principles and values as they progress towards the New Year. The order and meaning behind the candle lighting rituals pay homage to African heritage and culture.
