What is a mishumaa Saba?
Mishumaa saba are the seven candles: three red, three green and one black. The back candle symbolizes Umoja (unity), the basis of success, and is lit on December 26.
What is today’s Kwanzaa principle?
To do always as much as we can, in the way that we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful than when we inherited it.
How do you light the candles for Kwanzaa?
Light one more candle each day, from left to right (red to green). For the second through seventh days of Kwanzaa, light the candles from left to right, with the red ones being lit first. Each day, replace all the used candles and light all the previous candles before lighting that night’s candle.
Which Kwanzaa candle is lit first?
center black candle
During the week of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the kinara each day. The center black candle is lit first, and the lighting then proceeds from left to right, the new candle being lit corresponding to the principle of that day.
What is the Kwanzaa candle holder called?
Kinara
Kinara (Kee-nah-rah) – The candle holder represents the original stalk from which all African ancestors came. It holds the seven candles. Mishumaa (Mee-shoo-maah) – In the seven candles, each candle represents one of the seven principles.
What is Kwanzaa candle holder called?
kinara
The word kinara is a Swahili word that means candle holder. The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa.
Do you give gifts at Kwanzaa?
The holiday is also filled with storytelling, music, food, and, of course, gifts! The gifts are generally given among family members on the last day of Kwanzaa, January 1, and are typically creative, artistic, and often handmade items that focus on African heritage and promote the betterment of the Black community.
Is Kwanzaa a religion?
“Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but a cultural one with an inherent spiritual quality,” Karenga writes.