How to Arrange Kwanzaa Symbols and Decorations

The symbols used during Kwanzaa represent the concepts behind the holiday. Each has its own special place in the celebration - and on the table.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Kwanzaa Candleholders (kinara)
• Kwanzaa Gifts (zawadi)
• Ears Of Corn (muhindi)
• Seven Candles (mishumaa Saba)
• Straw Mats Or African Print Cloths (mkekas)
• Unity Cup (kikombe Cha Umoja)
• Bananas
• Fruits And Vegetables (mazao)
• Pumpkins
• Squashes
• Sweet Potatoes
• Flag Of The Black Nation (Bendera Ya Taifa)
• Pumpkins
• Bananas
• red, green and black streamers
• red, green and black flowers
• red, green and black balloons

1. Start by spreading out the mkeka. This is traditionally a straw mat, but cloth is an appropriate substitute, especially if it's an African print.

2. Place the kinara (candleholder) in the middle of the mkeka.

3. Place the muhindi (ears of corn) on either side of the mkeka. Use one ear of corn for each child in the family. If there are no children in your family, use one or two ears of corn to represent the African concept of social parenthood.

4. Creatively arrange the remaining symbols - the kikombe cha umoja (unity cup), mazao (a basket of fruits and vegetables) and zawadi (gifts) - on the mkeka.

5. Place mishumaa saba (seven candles) in the kinara. Arrange the candles in the following order, left to right: three red, one black, three green.

6. Hang a Bendera Ya Taifa (flag of the Black Nation), if possible, behind or near the mkeka. The flag should be facing east.

7. Use balloons, streamers and flowers in the colors of Kwanzaa (red, green and black) to decorate the rest of the room, if desired. Or display African sculptures and artwork and hang African prints.

Tips & Warnings

• The preferred location for Kwanzaa symbols is on a low table or the floor.
• Use fruits and vegetables representative of Africa, such as pumpkins and squashes, sweet potatoes and bananas, for the mazao.
• Kwanzaa gifts (zawadi) should emphasize education and culture. Handmade gifts are encouraged.
• The mishumaa saba (seven candles) are lit in the following order, one new candle on each of the seven days of Kwanzaa: black, red, green, red, green, red, green.
• Don't confuse the kinara with the Hannukah menorah, a Jewish religious symbol that holds nine candles. The kinara holds seven candles to reflect the seven principles of Kwanzaa: umoja (unity), kuhichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and imani (faith).
• Don't place the mazao (crops) in a cornucopia, which has European roots. A plain straw basket or wooden bowl is preferred.