New London, CT., December 26, 2024– The City of New London and the New London NAACP will have a ceremony tonight starting at 5:00 pm at the Parade Plaza to light the Kinara for the first night of Kwanzaa. We invite the community to come out and enjoy the celebration.

The colors of each candle have symbolic meanings. The black candle represents the African people, the red candles symbolize their struggles, and the green represents hope for the future. The number of candles represents the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Together, the candles are called the mishumaa saba. The candles are lit according to the numbering of the Principles:

Umoja (1)- (Unity) To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

Kujichagulia (2) – (Self-Determination)

Ujima (3) – (Collective Work and Responsibility)

Ujamaa (4)- (Cooperative Economics)

Nia (5) – (Purpose)

Kuumba (6) – (Creativity)

Imani (7) – (Faith)

The word kinara is a Swahili word that means candle holder. The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. Red, green, and black are the symbolic colors of the holiday. During the week of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the kinara each day.