Next: 26 Dec to 1 Jan 2027
Kwanzaa
Black, red and green: seven candles in those colours, one lit each night for seven principles.
The colours of Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is a week-long African American celebration of family, community and culture, created by Maulana Karenga in 1966. Its colours are those of the Pan-African flag adopted by Marcus Garvey's movement in 1920. Black is for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future and the hope that comes from struggle. A candle holder called the kinara holds seven candles: one black in the centre, three red to its left and three green to its right. One is lit each evening, beginning with the black, for each of seven principles such as unity and purpose. The kinara stands on a straw mat with ears of corn, fruit and a shared cup. Many people wear African cloth.
#000000Kwanzaa blackThe centre candle: the people.#D21034Kwanzaa redThree candles: the struggle.#007A33Kwanzaa greenThree candles: the future and hope.#D8B66AMkeka strawThe woven mat under the candles.Values are fair approximations, not official shades.
Read about the colours
Written by the Rang desk with AI assistance. Background: "Kwanzaa" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.