The Kinara: A Symbol of Unity and Resilience for the African American Community
As the holiday season approaches, many cultures prepare to celebrate their own unique traditions. For African Americans, one such tradition is Kwanzaa, a week-long celebration that begins on December 26th and ends on January 1st. At the heart of this celebration is the kinara, a candle holder with seven candles that represents important principles in African culture.
The kinara is an integral part of Kwanzaa celebrations as it symbolizes unity and resilience within the African American community. The word “kinara” comes from Swahili, which means “candlestick,” and its use during Kwanzaa has become widespread since Maulana Karenga introduced this holiday in 1966.
The kinara holds seven candles – three red ones on one side, three green ones on the other side, and one black candle that stands alone in the center. Each day of Kwanzaa focuses on one of seven principles called Nguzo Saba (Swahili for “seven principles”) represented by each candle:
1. Umoja (unity): To strive for and maintain unity in family,
community, nation, and race.
2. Kujichagulia (self-determination): To define ourselves,
name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for
ourselves.
3. Ujima (collective work & responsibility): To build &
maintain our community together & make our brother’s
and sister’s problems our problems & solve them together.
4. Ujamaa (cooperative economics): To build & maintain our
own stores shops & other businesses & profit from them
together.
5. Nia (purpose): to make our collective vocation building &
developing our community in order to restore people to their traditional greatness.
6.Kuumba(creativity): To do always as much as we can in the way
we can in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
7. Imani (faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people,our parents,our teachers,our leaders,and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
These principles were created by Karenga to promote African American culture and heritage while also encouraging unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith among African Americans.
The seven candles are lit each night during Kwanzaa celebrations. The first candle is the black candle which represents Umoja or unity. Once it is lit on December 26th ,the following day a red candle representing “Kujichagulia” or self-determination is also lit along with the black one till all red ones on that side are alight before switching to the green side for “Ujima”. This continues until all candles have been lit by New Year’s Eve.
The kinara symbolizes not only these seven principles but also serves as a reminder of African American history and culture. The three red candles represent struggles faced by those who fought for justice such as slavery abolitionists like Harriet Tubman; civil rights leaders like Dr.Martin Luther King Jr.; Black Lives Matter activists fighting against police brutality. While the green candles stand for hope for future generations highlighting achievements made by famous African-Americans such as Maya Angelou; Barack Obama; Katherine Johnson etc
In addition to its cultural significance within Kwanzaa celebrations,the kinara has become an important symbol of resilience within African American communities through difficult times.The use of this traditional object during times of hardship represents strength,resilience,and solidarity amongst individuals.African Americans have been subjected to various forms of discrimination including segregation,lack economic opportunities,racial profiling,mass incarceration just to name a few.These issues continue today despite the passage of civil rights legislation and the election of a Black president.
The kinara represents hope in times of darkness, reminding African Americans that they have overcome adversity before and can do so again. It is a symbol of resistance against oppression and serves as an inspiration for future generations to continue fighting for equality and justice.
Moreover, the kinara encourages African American families to come together during Kwanzaa celebrations, promoting unity within households as well as communities. During this time, family members exchange gifts that are symbolic such as books highlighting achievements by black authors or music that reflects their culture.
In conclusion, the kinara plays an important role not only during Kwanzaa celebrations but also in representing resilience within African American communities. It embodies cultural heritage while promoting unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility among its people. As we celebrate this holiday season let us remember what it truly means to be united through struggles,resilient in difficult times,and hopeful for a better future just like the candles on the Kinara represent.