I really got it together this holiday season! I now have, thanks to the wonderful Carolyn, a Kwanzaa candle holder with all the right color candles, and thanks to google, the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa – of which the first day was yesterday: Umoja – Unity. The candleholder is beautifully varnished yet rough wood – just the right look for such a set of sturdy principles, it seems to me. The candles are 3 red, one black, three green. Kwanzaa is subtitled: a celebration of family, community and culture.
Today is Kujuichagulia – Self Determination. Tomorrow is Ujima – Collective Work and Responsibility, followed by Ujamaa – Cooperative Economics (the black candle). Then comes the green candles: Nia – Purpose, Kuumba – Creativity, and ending with Imani – Faith.
This is a holiday of growing importance and increasing honor. There are symbols for each principle, and much more on the officialkwanzaawebsite.org. I am enjoying sinking into this very rooted and grounded holiday. Aaaahhhh!