KWANZAA

Kwanzaa Symbols The following symbols reinforce the Seven Principles and create the Kwanzaa scene: 1. The Mkeka is a straw or African textile mat that is used to symbolize the "foundation on which all…rests and … upon which [the community] builds," as Robertson explains. 2. The Kinana is a seven-place candle holder that represents reason and social structure. 3. The Mishumaa Saba are the seven candles used in the Kinara that represent each of the Seven Principles; one is black, three are red, and three are green. 4. The Mazao are the fruits and vegetables used to symbolize the rewards of collective labor, as well as the historical roots of the holiday. 5. Vibunzi are ears of corn that are used to symbolize children and the African concept of social parenting; each family displays a quantity of ears of corn that reflects its number of children. 6. Zawadi are gifts, representing the fruits of labor, given from parents to children to encourage them to continue practicing the Seven Principles. 7. The Kikombe is a cup that symbolizes unity and is used in the libations ceremony, as explained below.
Kwanzaa ceremonial activities The following activities advance the African-American heritage and bring together generations of its community:
Giving the libation Following a traditional toast, the libation (water, juice, or wine) is poured from the Kikombe onto the floor in the direction of the four winds (North, South, East, West), after which each member of the immediate family drinks from it. This ceremony is performed to commemorate cultural ancestors.
The Greeting On each of the seven days of Kwanzaa, a Principle is revered by the greeting "Habari gani," meaning "what's new?" The response to this greeting corresponds to each day's respective principle; on the first day, the response would be "Umoja," and so on.
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