The Fifth Day of Kwanzaa (December 30)
On the fifth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green, the next red and then the next green candle. This represents the 5th principle of Kwanzaa - Nia (NEE-ah): Purpose.
The fifth principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.
The fifth principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.
The Fourth Day of Kwanzaa (December 29)
On the fourth day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, the farthest right green. And then the next red candle on the left. This represents the 4th principle of Kwanzaa - Ujamaa (oo-jah-MAH): Collective economics.
The fourth principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.
The fourth principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.
The Third Day of Kwanzaa (December 28)
On the third day the black candle is lit, then the farthest left red, and then the farthest right green candle. This represents the 3rd principle of Kwanzaa - Ujima (oo-JEE-mah): Collective work and responsibility.
The third principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.
The third principle is discussed. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.
The Second Day of Kwanzaa (December 27)
On the second day the black candle is again lit, as well as the farthest red candle on the left. This represents the 2nd principle of Kwanzaa - Kujichagulia(koo-jee-chah-goo-LEE-ah): Self-Determination.
Again a statement about the second principle and its meaning might be made. Or possibly a passage or poem is spoken or read which relates to what the principle means and how it relates to their life. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.
Again a statement about the second principle and its meaning might be made. Or possibly a passage or poem is spoken or read which relates to what the principle means and how it relates to their life. The family shares the Unity cup and the candles are extinguished.
The First Day of Kwanzaa (December 26)
On the first day of Kwanzaa the black candle is lit in the Kinara. The black candle represents the first principle - Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity. The person who lights the candle might make a statement about the first principle and its meaning. Sometimes a passage or poem is read relating to what the principle means and how it relates to their life.
Then the Umoja (Unity Cup) might be filled with fruit juice and shared among those gathered. Each takes a drink and passes to the next.
Some families prefer to use a Unity cup for each member, or the cup can just be left in the center of the Kwanzaa table.
After the sharing of the Unity cup the candles are extinguished till the next day.
Then the Umoja (Unity Cup) might be filled with fruit juice and shared among those gathered. Each takes a drink and passes to the next.
Some families prefer to use a Unity cup for each member, or the cup can just be left in the center of the Kwanzaa table.
After the sharing of the Unity cup the candles are extinguished till the next day.
The Principles of Kwanzaa
The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa
* Information courtesy of http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/7days.htm
The Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa
* Information courtesy of http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/7days.htm
