The Kwanzaa holiday begins one day after Christmas and lasts seven days, during which African Americans and pan Africanists celebrate community.
Dec. 26 marks the first day of the celebration, which is Umoja or unity. The black candle in the middle of the kinara is lit on the first day. The person who lights the first candle makes a statement about the first principle. Sometimes, a passage or poem related to the principle is read aloud to the family as well.
After the unity cup, filled with juice or water, is passed around and placed back on the Kwanzaa tables, the candles are put out until the next day.
