Maulana Karenga's Kinara

Origin
Maulana Karenga is a professor on African-American studies who created the Pan-African holiday of Kwanzaa. He was also major figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 70s, founding the advocacy group US Organization in opposition to the Black Panther Party. To give Black Americans an opportunity to celebrate their shared heritage, he created Kwanzaa, Swahili for “first fruits”. The seven core principles, Nguzo Saba, are the common principles Karenga felt should be practice always for success. Each candle represents a value, such as unity, self-determination, purpose and faith. Initially, Karenga had no intention of mixing Kwanzaa with other, faith based holidays to allow Kwanzaa to stand as its one celebration; other holidays like Christmas were later accepted to avoid alienating practitioners.

Effects
Lighting a candle will allows those nearby to experience with their being what it means to identify as African-American. They will feel examples of the hardships, triumphs and lessons associated with the specific aspect of each candle. Using during the Kwanzaa celebration will allow recipients to temporarily see and feel the lives of past African-Americans without filter to receive a full understanding of the particular cultural identity.