Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Kwanzaa
Dec 29 : Fourth Day of Kwanzaa

Did you know today is the fourth day of Kwanzaa?

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.

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

The 4th Day of Kwanzaa
The 4th day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

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.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Kwanzaa
Dec 28 : Third Day of Kwanzaa

Did you know today is the third day of Kwanzaa?

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.

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

The 3rd Day of Kwanzaa
The 3rd day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

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.

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Kwanzaa
Dec 27 : Second Day of Kwanzaa

Did you know today is the second day of Kwanzaa?

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.

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

The 2nd Day of Kwanzaa
The 2nd day of a week long festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history.

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

source: Kwanzaa on the Net – Seven Days of Celebration

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Kwanzaa
Dec 26 : First Day of Kwanzaa

Did you know today is the first day of Kwanzaa?

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.

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)