O Kwanzaa, O Kwanzaa come light the Kinara

Did anybody notice that Kwanzaa coincides almost exactly with Chanukah this year? They start on the same day, but Chanukah lasts one day longer. Did you know that they light a candelabra thingy called a "Kinara"? (Do they add a candle every day?) Readers at the Official Kwanzaa Website are told

First, you should come to the celebration with a profound respect for its values, symbols and practices and do nothing to violate its integrity, beauty and expansive meaning. Secondly, you should not mix the Kwanzaa holiday or its symbols, values and practice with any other culture. This would violate the principles of Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) and thus violate the integrity of the holiday.

According to a site called The International Kwanzaa Exchange:

It is important that the Kinara not be confused with the menorah.* The Kinara holds seven candles to reflect the seven principles which are the foundation of Kwanzaa.

Perhaps they would have been happier with another symbol?

Tags: Kwanzaa, Chanukah