LIGHTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE KWANZAA KINARA
Lighting the Kinara
-
STEP 1:
Buy or make a kinara, a candleholder that holds seven candles (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 symbols.
-
STEP 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.
-
STEP 3:
Light the black candle on the first night of Kwanzaa, December 26, to represent the principle of unity (umoia).
-
STEP 4:
On the second night of Kwanzaa, light the black candle first, then one red candle next to the black candle to represent self-determination (kujichagulia).
-
STEP 5:
On the third evening, relight the black and red candles, then light one green candle next to the black candle to represent collective work and responsibility (ujima).
-
STEP 6:
On the fourth evening, relight the candles that have previously been lit, then light next red candle beside red candle already lit to represent cooperative economics (ujamaa).
-
STEP 7:
On the fifth evening, relight the candles that have previously been lit, then light next green candle beside green candle already lit to represent purpose (nia).
-
STEP 8:
On the sixth evening, relight the candles that have previously been lit, then light final red candle to represent creativity (kuumba).
-
STEP 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).
-
STEP 10:
Discuss the principle of each 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.
-
STEP 11:
Make a group commitment to practice and promote that particular principle throughout the year.
-
STEP 12:
Close the lighting ceremony by calling out "Harambee!" seven times" (Swahili for "Let's all pull together").
Lighting the Electric Kinara
-
STEP 1:
Make sure the electric kinara is unplugged. Screw all seven (7) of the candelabra bulbs into the seven sockets.
-
STEP 2:
Screw all seven (7) of the candelabra bulbs into the seven sockets.
-
STEP 3:
Plug the electric kinara into a 110-120 volt receptical. Make sure all candelabra bulbs light-up.
-
STEP 4:
Use the power switch on the kinara electrical cord to turn the electric kinara off.
-
STEP 5:
Gently unscrew all the bulbs that are in the red and green candles.
Now follow the same lighting instructions above beginning with STEP 3. Gently screw in the appropriate candelabra bulb, always remembering to switch off the power of the electric kinara first.