Unity - to strive for and maintain unity in the family, nation, and race.
The central (black) candle is lit. The 3 red candles to its left and 3 green candles to its right remain unlit.
Illustrating the fully set Kwanzaa table: * African patterned table cloth * place mat - mkeka * candelabra - kinara * 7 candles - mishumaa saba * maize - muhindi * kikombe - cup for oblation * various decorations not placed on the mkeka
Tukuler Member # 19944
posted KWANZAA FURAHA! 2011 December 27th Tuesday
Habari gani?
Kujichagulia
Self-determination - to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
The candle of the day is lit (leftmost red candle). The central (black) candle is lit. All other candles remain unlit.
In this 1973 photo, employees spread the mkeka with mazao and light the seven candles of the kinara for a Kwanzaa celebration at the annual Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s employee holiday party. Kwanzaa is observed from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
Tukuler Member # 19944
posted KWANZAA FURAHA! 2011 December 28th Wednesday
Habari gani?
Ujima
Collective Work and Responsibility - to build and maintain our community together and make our brothers' and sisters' problems our problems, and to solve them together.
The candle of the day is lit (rightmost green candle). The leftmost red candle is lit. The central black candle is lit. All other candles remain unlit.
Lighting candles from furthest alternate sides then to center can symbolize uniting black people of even the furthest diversity of traits, philosophies, occupations, ages, etc., by means of the Nguzo Saba (7 Principles) all pulling together (harambe) for mutual upliftment -- the ideal kinara is step shaped -- and toward unity.
Tukuler Member # 19944
posted KWANZAA FURAHA! 2011 December 29th Thursday
Habari gani?
Ujamaa
Cooperative Economics - to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
The candle of the day is lit (center red candle).
The rightmost green candle is lit. The leftmost red candle is lit. The central black candle is lit.
All other candles remain unlit.
Traditional stepped kinara. Candles are labelled with each day's principle as a guide to the order of lighting.
Tukuler Member # 19944
posted KWANZAA FURAHA! 2011 December 30th Friday
Habari gani?
Nia
Purpose - to make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
The candle of the day is lit (center green candle).
The center red candle is lit. The rightmost green candle is lit. The leftmost red candle is lit. The central black candle is lit.
All other candles remain unlit.
Read this highly provocative statement on purpose addressed to Black American males and hence to all Blacks worldwide who imitate negative USA entertainment media values as "black culture".
Kwanzaa gift giving, whether on a dedicated day or throughout the holiday, should focus on items related to African/African American heritage and be relatively inexpensive, expressive of culture, promote moral values.
Funny but confuses two different holidays, no reason people can't celebrate both, but on their respective dates, by families who so choose.
REMINDER: Tomorrow is the big Karamu feast night on the day of creativity Kuumba.
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