How to Light a Kinara

Kwanzaa has become a family tradition for millions of people around the globe. Lighting the kinara is an integral part of the celebration.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Other Kwanzaa Supplies
• Kwanzaa Guidebooks
• 1 Black Candles
• Kwanzaa Candleholders (kinara)
• Lighter Or Matches

1. Buy or make a kinara, a candleholder that holds seven candles (known as mishumaa saba), each of which represents one of the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Set it on the mkeka (a straw mat), along with your other Kwanzaa items.
2. Place one black candle in the center of the kinara. This represents the people. Place three red candles to the left of the black candle. These represent the people's struggle. Place three green candles to the right of the black candle. These represent the future and hope that come from the struggle.
3. Light the black candle on the first night of Kwanzaa, December 26, to represent the principle of unity (umoia).
4. On the second night of Kwanzaa, light the black candle first, then one red candle to represent self-determination (kujichagulia).
5. On the third evening, relight the black and red candles, then light one green candle to represent collective work and responsibility (ujima).
6. On the fourth evening, relight the candles that have previously been lit, then light one red candle to represent cooperative economics (ujamaa).
7. On the fifth evening, relight the candles that have previously been lit, then add one green candle to represent purpose (nia).
8. On the sixth evening, relight the candles that have previously been lit, then add one red candle to represent creativity (kuumba).
9. On the seventh and final evening, relight the candles that have previously been lit, then light the final green candle to represent faith (imani).
10. Discuss the principle of the day as the candles are being lit. Everyone in your group should explain what the principle means to them, and how they have practiced it during the day.
11. Make a group commitment to practice and promote that particular principle throughout the year.
12. Close the lighting ceremony by calling out "Harambee!" seven times" (Swahili for "Let's all pull together").

Tips & Warnings

• Having older children light the candles will enrich their Kwanzaa experience and deepen the meaning of the celebration.
• The red and green candles are usually lit from the outside in.