It’s the seventh and final day of Kwanzaa.
On the seventh day all the candles should be lit.
The seventh day represents: Faith (Imani).
Have belief in ourselves as individuals and as a people.
Holidays
Sixth Day of Kwanzaa
On the sixth day of Kwanzaa all the candles are lit except the last green candle.
The sixth day represents: Creativity (Kuumba)
Use your creativity to leave our family and community more beautiful and beneficial than when we first inherited it.
Fifth Day of Kwanzaa
On the fifth day of Kwanzaa the middle green candle is lit.
The fifth day represents: purpose (Nia)
Purpose (Nia) encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community.
Fourth Day of Kwanzaa
On the fourth day of Kwanzaa the middle red candle is lit.
The fourth day represents: Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa)
Cooperative Economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support.
Third Day of Kwanzaa
On the third day of Kwanzaa the first green candle is lit. 
The third day represents Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima)
Collective work and responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society and world.
Second Day of Kwanzaa
On the second day of Kwanzaa the black candle is lit as well as the farthest red candle on the left.
The second day represents: Self-Determination (Kujichagulia)
We are to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.
First Day of Kwanzaa
Happy Kwanzaa!!
On the first day of Kwanzaa the black candle is lit.
It represents the first principle of Kwanzaa: Unity (Umoja in Swahili) .
We are to strive for and to maintain unity in our family, community, nation and race.
What is Kwanzaa?
For many years, Kwanzaa has puzzled me. It was one of those things that I heard about but didn’t personally know anyone who celebrated it. I wanted to find out more about the holiday. What I learned was pretty cool.
Kwanzaa honors African heritage in African-American culture. It is a week-long celebration that is observed from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a feast and gift-giving. Kwanzaa is celebrated in the United States and also in the Western African Diaspora. Kwanzaa was created by Maulana Karenga in 1965. It was first celebrated in 1966-67.
Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase matunda ya kwanza meaning “first fruits of the harvest.” Kwanzaa has seven core principles (Nguzo Saba) – the seven principles of African Heritage. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the following principles:
- Unity (Umoja) – To strive for and to maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.
- Self-Determination (Kujichagulia) – To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.
- Collective Work and Responsibility (Ujima) – To build and maintain our community together and make our brothers’ and sisters’ problems our problems, and to solve them together.
- Cooperative Economics (Ujamaa) – To build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.
- Purpose (Nia) – To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.
- Creativity (Kuumba) – 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.
- Faith (Imani) – To believe with all our hearts in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.
Items/symbols of Kwanzaa includes:
- A decorative mat – all the other symbols mentioned will be placed on this mat.
- Corn and other crops
- Kinara (candle holder)
- Seven candles (3 red, 1 black, 3 green)
- Communal Cup
- Gifts
- Poster of the seven principles
- Black, red and green flag
I’m interested to know if you celebrate Kwanzaa. What made you start celebrating the African-American holiday? How long have your been celebrating? Let’s discuss.
Stay tune as I break down each day of Kwanzaa during Kwanzaa!!!
Holiday Tip Giving Guide
The holidays are the perfect opportunity to let those who have served you well during the year know that you appreciate them and their service. Here is a guideline on what and how much to tip your:
- Babysitter – Two (2) evenings’ pay PLUS a small gift from the child(ren)
- Barber – One (1) cut PLUS a small gift
- Beauty Salon Staff – $10 to $60 each
- Day Care Providers – $25 to $70 each PLUS a small gift from the child(ren)
- Dog Walker – One (1) days’ pay
- House Cleaner – One (1) days’ pay PLUS a small gift
- Lawn Maintenance Workers – $20 to $50 each
- Newspaper Carrier – $10 to $30
- Nursing Home Workers – A small gift PLUS fruit/food basket (no cash)
- Personal Trainer – One (1) session fee
- Pool Cleaner – One (1) cleaning cost
- Private Nurse – Gift (no cash)
- Trash Collectors – $10 to $20 each
Thank you notes and cards are also a good way to show your appreciate to those who serve you. Happy Holidays!
It's A Royal Thing 