libations for the unity cup or cups if you’ve decided that the attendants won’t share.
On this day, someone is chosen to light the black candle as well as the first red candle to the left of it on the kinara. The red candle symbolizes the value of hard work and effort in making progress. There are no specifics regarding who can be chosen to carry out this duty so you can assign it to whoever you like.
The same person who lights the candles will go on to make a statement about the principle that is being celebrated. This statement is meant to explain it in a way that everyone understands and appreciates so they can apply it to their lives.
RELATED: Kwanzaa: What It Really Is And How & Why It’s Celebrated
After the statement, they’ll usually share a poem, passage, story, or song that relates to the principle of Kujichagulia. They may also talk about how the principle relates to them and any changes they’ll make in their lives. While you don’t have to, some groups encourage others to share the results of their self-reflection as well.
Once that is done, libations will be shared among those present. If you decided to share gifts every day of Kwanzaa, then that will be done at that point. When everyone is finished with the libations and gift-giving, the candles will be extinguished and that will mark the end of day 2’s festivities.
While the principle of Kujichagulia requires that you dig deeper into your personal feelings and goals than Umoja, it sets the tone for how in-depth the rest of the principles will be.