Seven Principles

The Nguzo Saba poster or some form of the written Nguzo Saba should always be a part of the Kwanzaa set. For it is these Seven Principles which give Kwanzaa its core and seven days of cultural focus.

The Flag

The colors of the Kwanzaa flag are colors of the Organization Us, black, red and green - black for the people, red for their struggle, and green for the future that comes from their struggle. The Bendera is based on the national flag given to us by the Hon. Marcus Garvey, with slight adjustments in order and interpretation of the colors made in the 1960s along with many African countries.

The Gifts

These are symbolic of the labor and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.

The Seven Candles

These are symbolic of the Nguzo Saba, the Seven Principles, the matrix and minimum set of values which African people are urged to live by in order to rescue and reconstruct their lives in their own image and according to their own needs.

The Unity Cup

This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible.

The Corn

This is symbolic of our children and our future which they embody.

The Candle Holder

This is symbolic of our roots, our parent people -- continental Africans.

The Mat

This is symbolic of our tradition and history and therefore, the foundation on which we build.

The Crops

These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labor.