Get Your Kuumba in Gear!

By Holly Christian, HGTV Ideas magazine
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Many African-American families celebrate Kwanzaa in late December.
Kuumba, the Swahili word for "creativity," is one of the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa, the African-American festival that's celebrated during the week between Christmas and New Year's. Created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, a professor of African-American history at Cal State, Kwanzaa, which means first fruits of harvest, incorporates ideas from many different African harvest traditions and emphasizes working together for the good of the community.
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Figure A

The Kwanzaa table setting seen here (figure A) consists of a straw mat symbolizing the foundation that tradition provides, a unity cup for sharing communal libations in honor of ancestors, a bowl of fruits and vegetables representing the harvest, an ear of corn for each child representing their potential, and small gifts--often books or handmade items related to African-American heritage. The centerpiece is the traditional candleholder called a kinara; this one was made from a favorite piece of driftwood.

Considered a focal point of the Kwanzaa celebration, the kinara holds seven candles--one for each day of the observance--representing the guiding principles upon which Kwanzaa is based. The colors of Kwanzaa also have meaning: black represents the people; red, the people's struggle against slavery and racism; and green, the hope for the future.

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Figure B
The African-patterned Kwanzaa candles shown here (figure B) have been dipped in colored wax , allowed to cool, then decorated with black painted patterns. The squiggles, diamonds and swirls are inspired by the designs of painted and batiked African fabrics.

A little paint, a little patience and a bit of imagination can transform ordinary candles into works of art like these. Here's how.

Dipped Candles

Materials:

white or cream-colored candles
candle wax or paraffin--two to four pounds is plenty
color block candle dye in red and green
paring knife
stirring stick
large pot for water
two, one-pound coffee cans
foil-covered cookie sheet

Steps:

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Figure C
1. Break wax into chunks and put half in each coffee can.
2. Fill a large cooking pot about half full of water and heat to slow simmer. Set the coffee cans of wax in the water.
3. When the wax is melted, add shavings of candle dye to each wax pot and stir.
4. Hold candles by their wicks and dip into the tinted wax (figure C). Let dry on a foil-covered cookie sheet.
5. When the first color is dry, dip again to intensify the color if desired.
6. Dip into a second color and allow to cool and dry.
7. Dip sides of large square candles in two colors to create an overlapping plaid effect.

Safety tip: Never leave melting wax unattended. Always turn off burner when leaving the room. If children are present, supervise closely.

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Pillar candles can also be dipped and painted.

Painted Candles

Materials:

red and green candles
rubbing alcohol
paper towels
small container for mixing
DecoArt candle-painting medium
black acrylic paint
fine tapered-point artist's paintbrush
small jar of water

Steps:

1. Mix equal parts candle-painting medium and black acrylic paint.
2. Clean candle by wiping with rubbing alcohol. Let dry.
3. Paint patterns on candle. Be loose and have fun. If you aren't happy with your creation, wipe the candle paint off with rubbing alcohol and begin again.

Tips:

  • Swish brush in water when it gets too dry or sticky, and remove excess water on a paper towel.
  • Acrylic paint hardens quickly. Be sure to cover your painting medium and clean your brush well with water if you'll be away from your work table for more than a few minutes.

Photographs by Charles Brooks