Muhindi (Corn) This symbol represents children. Everyone places an ear of corn on the Mkeka (mat). Children belong to and are the responsibility of every adult and are accountable to every adult in the community.

Kikombe cha Umoja (The Unity Cup) This is symbolic of the foundational principle and practice of unity which makes all else possible. In the more intimate family setting, family members often drink from the unity cup as a means of displaying their commitment to fostering togetherness and harmony in the family.

Mazao (The Crops) These are symbolic of African harvest celebrations and of the rewards of productive and collective labour. The Kwanzaa practice of reflecting on and celebrating family accomplishments comes out of the First Fruits celebrations in traditional African societies where the communities as a whole worked (Ujima) to harvest the crops at the end of the year. The amount of work families and communities put into harvesting the crops as well as investing in the well-being of their communities was the key factor in the realisation of a prosperous harvest. As modern day people, the crops for us are the outcome of our labour and service. The knowledge and effort, which we apply to our labour and service, like that in traditional African societies, will determine quality and quantity of our outcomes (healthy families, thriving children, safe and supportive neighbourhoods, successful schools).

The Mishumaa Saba ( The 7 candles) or Kinara 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 our own image and according to our own needs. During the week of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit on the kinara each day. The black candle is lit first and the lighting then proceeds from left to right; the new candle being lit corresponding to the principle of that day. In this way each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the contemplation of one of the Seven Principles. Each of the candles has a meaning: The black candle symbolises the African people. The red candle symbolises our struggle. The green candle symbolises the future and hope that comes from our struggle..

Zawadi (Gifts) These are symbolic of the labour and love of parents and the commitments made and kept by the children.

Dining tablemat to decorate a celebration table.

Fabric cloth hanged to the wall with ethnic african patterns.