---------- > Från: Abdul-Rahim Dewo <[log in to unmask]> > Till: [log in to unmask] > > Ämne: [african2000] Re: AFRICA CONFERENCE > Datum: den 20 mars 2000 10:02 > > Dear Fatou, > > Hotep! Seneb! Maheru! Greetings from the Source of the Nile. > Tragedy recently just hit us with a' mass suicide come mass > murder' in the Western part of Uganda. For a while I have > endeavored to to authenticate African culture and heritage > based on Science, Philosophy, Art and Religion. I highly > believe the Association for the Study of Classical African > Civilizations (ASCAC) is at the forefront in 'Emancipating > Ourselves form Mental Slavery.' When we look back to the year > 1884, the nations of Europe sat at a table in Berlin and curved > out the borders of 'modern' day Africa. Consequent of this,was > that, millennia of Self-sufficiency and agricultural knowledge > were lost in a single generation. This was the final blow to > Africa's integrity. > > The socio-political order was uprooted and our nations redesigned > to produce 'cash-crops'and raw materials for the colonizing > powers. The people of Ancient Africa called the higher-writing > MDW NTR, pronounced Medew Neter, which means 'the writings of God' > or 'utterance of God' or 'the baton of life.' NTR primarily refers > to a spiritual essence or principle(God/Goddess) , and through > Latin the word 'nature' is derived from it. > > It is important to comment on the fact that in Ancient Africa > the Supreme Being was One. The multitudes of the NTR, then > represented the attributes of the Master of Life. Ancient Africa > was not just about religion, but also science, philosophy and art. > In other words, African (Egyptian) civilization was thorough in > context and concept. > > Today's world is familiar with the term " hieroglyphics;" which > means 'higher-writings.' The Greeks, who were a later > civilization called our land " Egyptos " meaning ' land of the > black(dark) people. Clearly when you compare with the Latin > "Ethiopia", which again means the above for Egypt, I am drawn > to conclude that Africa is fully responsible for the birth and > nurturing of the first knowledge. > > "...it gives rise to the `Call' and `Command' of our eminent > scholar and ancestor, Dr. John Henrik Clarke who stated, > "Pan-Africanism or Perish". Long before the invasion of the Greek > Hyksos, the African people had a very important celebration, which > in Kiswahili we called KWANZAA. Kwanzaa meant 'the first fruits of > the harvest' and in present day Uganda, a tribe in the eastern region > ( Basoga) call it "Mpambo," the 'best' of the harvest. > > It was widely believed that we became better human beings to > ourselves and to others when we practiced these principles. These > principles greatly impacted on the naming systems, such that > even the days of the week were named after the principles. > Below is a brief outline of the Principles; > > Sunday...................... UMOJA (Unity) > Monday...................... KUJICHANGULIA (Self Determination) > Tuesday..................... UJIMA (Collective work and > responsibility) > Wednesday................... UJAMAA (Co-operative Economics) > Thursday.................... NIA (Purpose) > Friday...................... KUUMBA (Creativity) > Saturday.................... IMANI (Faith) > > The principles are still applicable today and are utilized in > order to affirm our cultural heritage and identity. I hope and > pray the Spirits are On-high! The relationship between Kwanzaa > and the Life principles must be made clearer through providing > a good and sincere understanding of African tradition. > > In search of a common symbol to represent God (Goddess), the > African scribes chose the Solar disc. The reason was that, > like God, the sun shone from the heavens and touched every > creature in due season. It appears, rightfully so, that many > ancient African deities were( and still are) only personified > attributes of the One and same Creator- the Master of life > itself. > > The attributes towards the Supreme Being were more metaphorical > than mythological. Africans have always believed in an entelechy > with the creator. As a result we connect every activity with the > God; God being the Greek equivalent for African 'creator.' So any > significant activity, such as the Kwanzaa, was directly related > to humanity, in the sense that the spiritual blessings through > the Life principles favored the physical blessings in form of > our output. > > The concept of monotheism was initially unique to the African > and later was promulgated outside Africa. It promoted further > understanding of the make up of mankind, i.e.; the Body, Mind > and Soul. We are on earth for a given probation which will be > followed by the "After-life." Therefore, if we have to secure > our legacy, history must be seen and known to portray a restored > special position and heritage for Africa. > > I wish you all Peace, Good Health and Righteousness! > > Abdul-Rahim Dewo > Web Promotions Manager > The Life in Africa Foundation > Kampala, Uganda. > http://www.LifeInAfrica.com > Rebuilding the Intercultural gamut of > African values through affable technology > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------------