Reading YURUGU Commentary1

the book Yurugu by Dr. Marimba Ani

YURUGU … An Afrikan-centered Critique of European Cultural Thought and Behavior by Marimba Ani.

YES! I’ve finally obtained the book! And it is an awesome read so far. Not the easiest book to read. Probably only now I’m in a good frame of mind to innerStand most of its concepts and narrative. And I say that because I’ve listened to Dr. Marimba Ani on Youtube many times… read some of Dr. Henrik Clarke’s writings; and listened to him as well on Youtube. But what I’m loving the most about this book is how it feeds me on the path for publishing my first “Self Initiation” (self-help) “Self Journey” guide this winter season. I have the guide written; and it is in editing. But this book will definitely give me new energies to get the work done.

I’m only on page 44; but I’ve gotta stop and blog what I’ve absorbed so far! For those who won’t get a chance to read the book… I pray this blog will help you feel some of what I’m getting…

an Ancient Story and Principle

In the author’s note; Dr. Ani cross-verifies an ancient wisdom of the Dogan people of Mali, West Africa. She tells the story of their deity “Amma”; and a principle world view that wholeness is created from a pair of female and male spirits. Dr. Ani describes how multi-gender energy brings “equilibrium”, “cooperation”, “balance” and “harmony.” But the story tells how a selfish-soul, identified as Yurugu or Ogo, was able to abort himself before birth because he wanted to “create a world better than that which Amma has created.” But in doing so; Yurugu ensured he would forever loose connection with his twin female-soul. She was given away to pair with another male-soul. And thus Yurugu became doomed to perpetually seeking wholeness and completeness. And from Yurugu’s lineage; the story implies Earth is inhabited by single-souled beings… seeking balance and harmony.

Dr. Marimba Ani states in the book; “My chosen field is African-centered cultural science…” Then she goes on to introduce other professional titles very few give focus to when trying to innerStand the culture of the EuroAsian. Titles such as “occidentalist”; and the study of “aryanology” as listed. But she notes how her field of study in modern anthropology purposely “ignore the implications of European exploitation…” And how the many instances of colonization are justified by the study of “objects.” To my surprise, even as Dr. Ani is clearly an intellectual; she makes it clear that the term “Academia” was never meant for African-centered persons.

I’m loving how Dr. Ani helps to define and describe culture as:

• a design for living;
• patterns for interpreting reality;
• ideology/ethos/world-view;
• behavior values;
• attitudes.

And how culture can be used to:

• unify and order;
• organize for consistency;
• group identify;
• collectivity;
• build commitment/priority/choice;
• communication through symbolism;
• support collective consciousness;
• build politics for nationalism.

White Supremacy – How They Do It?

Another thing I’m loving about this book is it addresses a subject-matter I’ve keep warm on my “things to address” since 2019… finding how white supremacy works… and how they do it??? In the 1992 book introduction; professor Clarke suggests “they colonized information about the world. As well as colonized god.” I’ve adopted a phase as part of my rationalizing how white-supremacy works:

“They begin by traumatizing the body;
then capture the mind;
and imprison the spirit”

Dr. Ani states the Europeans discovered early in their first interactions with people of color; that formalized history can override ethnic culture. And by replacing culture with their history determines the “rules for thinking.” Colonizing Europeans knew that imposing their euro-culture would in essence traumatize the bodies; capture the minds; and imprison the spirit of those they wanted to make slaves. Such that out-ward acts of violence, on the body, are used as tools for control. But it is really the mental captivity that leads to spiritual attacks.

And for the most part; systemic colonization starts with crowding the minds of people-of-color with thoughts that Europeans are superior beings. The misled thoughts indeed freeze the “spirit-force.” Thus destroying their sacred culture.

Start Decolonizing

In Dr. Ani’s book introduction; she describes the forcefulness of white supremacy as “psychological rape.” And that only with “intellectual decolonization” can the Afro/African reconnect with their culture. Intellectual insight guides persons by their creative vision; and “ability to act with will and intent” for their own interest. But unfortunately; in my time and space, rarely do I meet many AfroAmericans who desire intellectuality over entertainment. I’m feeling these non-thinkers are doomed… forever.

But decolonizing will also require new language for the renewed thought processes. Dr. Ani uses Kiswahili and Twi words to describe many spiritual concepts in the book. While studying Kiswahili myself; I learned there are many Eastern African words that can not; and should not be literally translated from/into English. Instead, what is best is to try and innerStand the spirit of the Kiswahili culture when studying the language.

AfRaKans are first very spiritual beings. And I’m going to put it out there… right now… I do not expect every AfroAmuuRaKan abandoned English to begin their decolonization. To weaken our communication efforts would be to move at a snails pace. And… there is a lot of Muslim-religious wording in Kiswahili that is not of AfRaKan culture. So if I may: we, the AfroAmuuRaKan may just need to grasp as much of the relevant vernacular as we can… and keep it spiritual.

But so far; I’m totally embracing these words to better describe their truthful nature:

• Utamaduni – the essence of collaborative civilization;
• Utamawazo – thought determined by culture or world-view;
• Utamaroho – culture centered around spirit-life and collective personality.

But utamawazo can’t be directly translated to a Euro-centric word like “world-view.” Instead, utamawazo encapsulates the significance of AfRaKan metaphysics. How thoughts interrelate to both the micro (the person) and the macro (the environment) must be considered when using the term utamawazo.

Utamaroho reflects emotional response in a person. I relate this term with Tehuti’s Principle of Cause and Effect. Dr. Ani makes it clear that in Euro-centric circles; reason delineates emotions. So that utamaroho is many times taught in modern academic institutions to be a “weak” non-rational thought process.

From the start of the of the book; Dr. Ani impresses how it is our thoughts that must be decolonized; for us to return to our Afro-centric views of the world. In today’s time and space; it is the Pan-African griot story tellers that can keep the myths of AfRaKan principles shared. And what is so wonderfully explained in the book is that “Mythology creates ikons out of collective unconscious experience.” This is really big because from well-centered mythology comes ideology. Dr. Ani describes the term “mythoform” to mean unconsciousness. As Pan-AfRaKans; we don’t need to be consciousness to what is already our genetic ideology. The culture is already within us. And as the griots bring out our AfRaKan world view in story… the myths feed our spirit an awakening. Then we begin to embrace our inner spirit for ourselves. And our Afro-centric world view becomes our own personal ideology.

The Seed

Dr. Ani introduces early in the book the word “Asili” which I take to mean the essence of the beginning (the root or seed). Again, because the DNA of the Pan-AfRaKan provides the “logic” of her culture; Asili is the basis of the who/what/when/where/how. And even as there is no ending to our evolution; Asili is our starting point that is not meant to be changed.

Other cultures have Asili as well. And there comes the dangerous part. If another’s Asili is based in violence, hate, competition, etc… that is the unchanging essence of that culture. In the book, Dr. Ani uses another writer’s perception of how historical evidence… patterns European culture using the following timelines:

• Greek Philosophy lead to;
• Roman Law that lead to;
• Christian Missionary movements that lead to;
• Rise of Feudalism that lead to;
• The Renaissance movement that lead to;
• The Reformation that spanned Revolution.

The paragraph in the book; on the other writer’s perception explains how the timeline created religion, art, literature, science and economic systems that produced today’s Euro-Asian/American cosmopolitan societies…. Gotham. In the final sentence of that paragraph; the book quotes:

“They make its culture one,
its crimes domestic tragedies,
its wars civil wars.”

Wow, if that doesn’t make you have the creepies??? But as explained in the book… such is the modern day Euro-Asian/American concept of nationalism. An expansion of supremacy controls supported by destroying others culture. Therefore, making Euro-Asian/American culture extremely dangerous to the rest of the world.

Trump Civil War

Scientific evidence proves Africa is land to the “First World” order. The primary cultures of the world are AfRaKan with perspectives and truths inseparable to meaning and purpose. The book insists the first culture of beings were self-determinist, revolutionaries and scholars that embraced truth-processes. They were persons who rejected theory made of single-minded imagination. Persons on a path lead by commitment and intention… where the validity of theory is found within.

In many of my readings on ancient AfRaKan spiritualty; the energies behind “thought” are very clear and strong. In this book, Chapter 1 Utamawazo, it is emphasized that the African world view embraces a unique theme for cultural relationships with the universe. Then Dr. Ani begins examining contrasting philosophy of Plato. There is no doubt that Plato philosophy provides a major influence on EuroAsian “speculative thought.” Thought that denies cosmic intuitional connections. Instead, platonic-culture seems more focused on both self-control; and control of others.

With much described analysis; the pages of the book that examine what self-control is includes a forced separation of the physical-being from the cosmic-being. However, such a separation would also include an illusion for isolation from ones natural environment. The platonic-cultural thought process introduces the concept “independence.” Even though in reality; “self is dependent of its experiences.”

And then the author goes on to describe EuroAsian thoughts preferring critical thinking as the chosen means of reasoning… thoughts independent of feeling what it wants to know. Where the objective of being detached and uninvolved improves the opportunity to ensure self-control… as well as control of the subject. Such independence from knowledge and truth demands “denial of spirit.”

On page 33 of the book, Dr. Ani provides a quote by an author that describes EuroAsian culture as duality; and a misconception of harmony. Some of my very first gnowledge of ancient AfRaKan spirituality and yoga includes how peace and harmony comes from the balancing of complementary polar opposites. The AfRaKan concept of balance comes about when polar opposites are brought together for harmonious collaboration. But within EuroAsian culture, opposites are expressed as competing forces… bi-polarism. And there is no way the tension created by the bi-polar opposites can ever result in harmony in the same sense as that for peace or balance. Instead, the concept of “cooperation” is demanded; so that one pole can control the other. This ideology perfectly explains how men have been able to advance beyond women in EuroAsian culture… how white skin became superior to people-of-color.

Controlling the switch

Maybe even worst than forced EuroAsian control mechanisms; as with colonization; is how European-centered science has been forced on the world. And how with duality “the nature of the scientist’s mind” is manipulated by her/his view of nature and the universe. In EuroAsian culture, science provides facts that become the basis for reasoning. Such that those who control the concept of reason; will measure diverse means of reasoning as less intelligent; or having low IQ. And thus the bio-polar competitive reasoning provides hierarchy constructs.

On page 37, the book quotes an author defining a platonic view as the separation of self with non-self. This other author describes the non-self as the “phenomenal world”… a view supported by ego. So that, it seems Dr. Ani is making a major point to explain that within EuroAsian culture; “control” is the key to “reasoning.” And reasoning is superior to emotion because emotions naturally control us.

Preferred EuroAsian reasoning can leads us to treat everything “objectively” or like an object. Where objectivity provides a false sense of independence from time, place and circumstance. And thus EuroAsian control-culture diminishes the value of emotions in its world-view. There is a statement made in the book that…

“Better people are more reasonable; less emotional.”

I do see one really good reason why “Platonic Thinking” benefits modern EuroAsian society. A point is made in the book that at one time, intellectuals of Europe were looking for a philosophical way to “escape from the cave.” And the best option brought about for leaving their “dark ages” period was to create a culture of white-superiority.

In many ways, advanced industrialization is made to look like EuroAsian technological advancement. And for this mis-undertanding; many cultures have accepted EuroAsian civilization as superior to their own. But with acceptance of the foreign superiority aspects that come with it; African culture is replaced with EuroAsian symbolic modes of simple-one-dimensional realities.

Ancient AfRaKans didn’t give focus to “mental-thinking” as their only world-view. Instead, perceptions made up much of their reality; when all meta-physical parts are linked together, (spirit, mind, body). And as suggested in the book; AfRaKan ideas are formed from diverse thinking.

In the book, Dr. Ani also suggests “Europeans are not trained to use their senses nor to be perceptive.” Instead, cultural mentalism; called logos; provides the “objectivity” in viewing the world as themselves superior… to everything else. Such that animals and people they consider less than intellectual can only be civilized if they are “mastered” by the “benevolently superior” EuroAsian.

By nature, AfRaKans are very sensitive persons. It is what makes us human. I’m so looking forward to the next pages of the book titled “Theory of Humanness.” Where I’m sure I’ll get more perspective on the EuroAsian world view.

Great Planes of Cause and Effect

My new commentary notes on chapter two of Wayne Chandler’s book “Ancient Future” which describes the axiom of Cause and Effect.

Hear my commentary on Youtube… https://youtu.be/b_Y-ks4ZSIE

3-GREAT PLANES
1. The Physical Plane
2. The Mental Plane
3. The Spiritual Plane

Sub-Planes by degrees of Vibration

within THE PHYSICAL PLANE there is:
-Form;
-Heat;
-Light;
-Electricity;
-Gravity;
-Cohesion;
-Chemical Affinity.

“we transition from the physical plane to the mental plane via Vibrational Frequency…”

within THE MENTAL PLANE there is:
-the atomic mind;
-the molecular mind;
-the mineral mind;
-the plant mind;
-the animal mind;
-the elemental mind;
-the human mind.

within THE SPIRUTAL PLANE there R:
—The Seekers, The Adepts and the Master Teachers practicing mastery of organic alchemy.

—The Arahant has released all worldly desires; and she will Not reincarnate… she is done with lifetimes.

—The Sage guides the Adept and Arahant… and can even be a dolphin, whale or elephant.

—The Avatar simply illuminates.

In Summary: My 9/27/2020 Blue Print for Evolving to Ascension

START: Spin up my GodIs by connecting my Mind and Soul.

NEXT: Once the Mind and Soul are connected; become the essence of the GodIs by practicing to reach beyond materialism :
-identifying the things that can/will dissolve/die… and release them;
-look for things that are permanent and/or eternal and reach for them instead;

NEXT: Once on the Eternity Plane; keep observation of my environment:
-the cosmic environment I’ve recently created;
-how the micro and macro keep increasing and decreasing on a perpetual rhythmic cycle to manifest matter.

NEXT: As the cycle on the Eternal Plane finds vibration to rhythm; Gnow That the measure between increase and decrease is Time. Observe the Quality and Quantity of that Time construct. Is my Time balanced and peaceful… or chaotic? Is the increase period longer or shorter than the decrease?

NOW: With equal time periods of peaceful balanced Time… there is bliss with The Source and the GodIs. Evolution is started… and Ascension is immanent.

I share these notes, commentary and blue print in hopes it will help me or someone else evolve in this lifetime or another.

Asante, Ashe.

Sacred Geometry – Re-Read#3

Neo-Kemetism… a Perfect Practice 4 Today

Em Hotep (Peace be with you).  I AM becasue You Are.  Thus I share….

Many believe Kemetism is a religion practiced in ancient Egypt. And even though Ancient Egyptian Mythology is “something”… the honoring of the NTR is real. Here is the truth…

• Kemet is spelled KMT. No vowels, all caps.
• KMT is a seeker’s practice. Not a religion. Religions are organizations of leaders and followers. Seekers are individuals on a unique journey.
• KMT honors The NTR. The NTR is a way to spell Nature.
• The NTR are made up of divinities that describe the attributes of nature. So for every Goddess or God mentioned in the study of KMT; it reflects on something naturally occurring on Earth or in the cosmos.

It’s that simple. And anyone who doesn’t believe in nature and naturally occurring events is stuck in an illusion… un-concious and asleep.

The reason why Neo-Kemetism is so relevant today is that the practice gives the seeker a pathway to leave religion; and focus on aspects that are Real and evident (not taught belief systems).

KMT is a safe life path because many new conscious organizations have moved to yet another way to practice religion. KMT is older than religion; where basically most major theology comes from Kemetic spirituality.

The only difference between ancient KMT and Neo-Kemetism is that the practitioner can return to Kemetic spirituality using modern tools… like the internet for learning about ancient artifacts, the pyramids, hieroglyphics and inter-stellar activities. However studying isn’t the only concept of practicing Kemetism. As with ancient KMT; the seeker exercises the mind, body and spirit (KA) using meditation; yoga (Smai Tai); and alchemy. The purpose quest of Kemetic practitioners is ascension.

So for pursuing an independent seeking journey; Neo-Kemetism is a perfect practice to start. And using modern technology; there there is no where to go… but to grow.

Ankh, Udja, Seneb.
Ashante… Ashe.

Book Commentary – PRECOLONIAL BLACK AFRICA

Just finished reading the classic “PRECOLONIAL BLACK AFRICA” by the Master Teacher Cheikh Anta Diop. A reading that has been translated from French to English; so the writing can be challenging for those most comfortable with American-English grammatical semantics. However, the content is highly desired for inner-standing the cultures and movements of AfRaKans before the major invasions of religion and land grabbers. I will sometimes call these precolonized AfRaKans… “the traditionals.”

Although the book confirms many known situations that still exist in tribal societies today. The focus of this blog posting is to mention terms, activities and situations new and awaking for me. I also will Not get into many of the book’s war stories. I’ve already blogged about the first chapter of the bookblogged about the first chapter of the book. Now I want to give a brief summary of my highlighted comments about the rest of the book:

Sankofa List:

1. The Land is Free
2. Unified Communities are Powerful
3. Maternal-linealism
4. Servant Leaders
5. Arabo-Africans
6. Protective Foreign Trade
7. Religion Replaces Spirituality
8. Open Door to Slavery
9. Capitalism Preferred
10. Cultural Destruction

Part1: Be-fore Colonization

#free-the-land

As I’ve felt in meditation while connected to nature; I draw from my readings that precolonial AfRaKans be-lived that no one owned the land. Instead; it seems their cultural activity centered around respect for Mother Nature. My readings insist traditional AfRaKans “used” the land. And that private ownership of areas of space was not a consideration. Rather, seasonal rental agreements were provided to those who demonstrated the skill to make good use of the lands. But as the invasions advanced; there seemed to be much confusion on how to protect something that wasn’t meant to be taken by anyone. So the per-colonial AfRaKans were caught-up in a concept of trying to defend the land with no sense of why/how the invaders could take private ownership of something that didn’t belong to them… or anyone else.

#powerful-AfRaKans

The largest and oldest empires of AfRaKa are listed in the book as the Sudan, Ghana, Mali and Songhai. And from these states the author suggest most other precolonial civilizations formed on the continent. Maps and other documentation provides evidence that before colonization, major migrations of precolonial AfRaKans started as the result of European invasions. One group of Sudanese immigrates moved to the west and called themselves the Kare-Kare… in honor of the Upper Kemet deities Ka and Re. The Yoruba that migrated to parts of what is now Nigeria can be associated with the ancient Sudanese by evidence of their cultural worship that is also very closely aligned with that of Upper Kemet Goddess and Gods. Modern day Wolof clans honor the ostrich symbolically the same as Upper Kemet’s BA spirituality. Other migration paths were marked by monoliths describing a Sky Earth agrarian culture most similar to that of Upper Kemet.

Meroe, the ancient capital city of the Sudanese empire, has been considered to be one of the earliest civilizations on Earth. The vast lands of Meroe are said to have been so sophisticated; the citizens made readily use of astronomical observatories; drawings of mechanical instruments; and mathematical equations written in stone. The book suggests eighty-four (84) pyramids stand today around the city that was once Meroe. In many literary circles, the Sudan is considered the lands of ancient Upper Kemet… sometimes also called Nubia.

#inter-tribal-unity

The author mentions that precolonial AfRaKans may have been the first to participate in inter-tribal unification to create powerful cities. Supposedly, their alliances and associations were unlike anything found anywhere else in the world at that time. And with the establishment of these powerful cities came about the chosen responsibility to provide for all its citizens. The book suggests one of the empire’s primary roles was to nurturing all its children.

#maternal-linealism

The book describes how before the invasions of Islam, maternal-linealism was the practicing guideline for leadership and inheritance. Maternal-linealism depicted the future ruler always come from the present ruler’s sister’s daughter or son (niece or nephew). This was very important for at least three reasons:

1. only the woman carries the true bloodline of a tribe; and therefore the ruling bloodline is secured in the ruler’s sister (you might want to study your chromosome and DNA truths to inner-stand this concept).
2. rulers were more capable and encouraged to inter-marrying to keep their communities fortified; and even if the sister by chance inter-married; the bloodline of her children would always still be stronger.
3. nieces and nephews make better servants of the people than princesses and princes.

And maternal-linealism was Not only practiced by the royals. Common people used the same system for inheritance determinations. To the point that traditional AfRaKan children many times carried the names of their aunt and uncles instead of their parents. The mother’s-sister’s name was considered sacred. I’ve always read how important aunts and uncles were to a village of AfRaKan children. Maternal-linealism makes more sense to me now.

#servant-rulers

The book suggests that roles and responsibilities of precolonial AfRaKan rulers was very different before the invasions. A ruler would be required to have a “vital life force” great enough to carry/protect their entire kingdom. Many precolonial rulers would be given a talisman in the form of a lion’s fang to concentrate their amount of life force. And when their level of vital life force diminished; the ruler was symbolically killed (or exiled from the kingdom) as to not weaken the community’s ontological forces with the superior universe. Many great precolonial empires of AfRaKa kept the Pharaohic traditions of Upper Kemet.

A statement is made in the book that precolonial AfRaKans be-lived a vacant throne created anarchy. But proper royal authority included a great responsibility to serve the people. And thus rulers led very “strictly regulated” lives. Royal traditional leadership practiced orthodox AfRaKan spirituality so they could perform all cultural rituals. Rulers of the people were trained to never raise their voices; and to control emotions that would impact their citizen’s sensibilities.

Examples are given in the book where it was common for queens and kings to raise the daughters and sons of other tribal communities to ensure comradery between the kingdoms. This comradery of princesses and princes many times prevent war; and provided for the sharing of ideas and innovation. And when the kingdoms were forced to fight the Asians; the princesses/princes would put themselves in harms way; taking up arms to lead the traditional AfRaKan armies.

#segregated-trade

The author claims the traditionals were not very much interested in travel and exploration because everything they wanted and needed was already provided for them on the continent. He suggests that mostly all innovation to travel long distances and over the high-seas was invented in Upper Kemet; the Sudan; and Nubia. And the technology was given to the Arabs and the Asians. To the point that most AfRaKans stayed home; and used Arabs and the Phonetician as trading contractors. As a result; all roads of travel across the continent were kept safe.

I already knew that before the colonial industrial atrocities began; gold was the major currency of trade for precolonial AfRaKans with foreign people. Gold was very plentiful for those of the Sudan, Ghana, Mali and Songhai empires. Any and all citizens could simply collect the precious metal from their rivers after the season of inundation. No mining needed. The author suggests very sought out items of precolonial AfRaKans included salt, copper and cowries from the Indian Ocean via Persia.

One interesting trade practice mentioned in the book describes how closed societies refused to physically interact with foreign traders. For these self imposed segregated traditionals, a unique trading method was necessary that included an honor system. With the system, the foreign trader would leave their goods in plain view, over nights for members of the closed AfRaKan community to evaluate. The traditionals would then leave amounts of gold near the foreign items as they deemed a fair trade. After the precolonial AfRaKan shoppers left; the foreign traders evaluated the gold left for acceptable trading terms. If the foreigner agreed to the trade; they took the gold and left the goods.

Part 2: Turning Points for Destruction

#religion-replaces-spirituality

Many Pan-AfRaKans today do Not speak of how important matriarchy and spirituality was to the precolonial AfRaKan. And even as most consider the beginning of colonization in AfRaKa to have been the coming of the barbaric Gallo-Romans; the author gives examples how AfRaKa was first colonized quietly and non-violently by organized religion. Arabs peaceably moved to the most northern parts of the continent when the great AfRaKan empires showed no interested in the Saharan desert land. The author calls the traditionals who integrated with the Arabs of the north; “Arabo-Africans.” Many of the Arabo-Africans were from Mali and are known today as the Moors.

Some of the precolonial AfRaKans considered organized religion evolutionary progression. And when many of the traditionals refused to conform to religious affiliations; they were often scorned, mistreated and considered dirty outcasts.

From what I take from the book; precolonial AfRaKans converted to Islam from Arabia for mostly two reasons;

1. to align with the Arabs to fight the Europeans.
2. to follow the leadership of their rulers who where intimidated to convert.

But the “Black Muslims” integrated some of their spirituality into their conversion by continuing to honor their ancestors and other sacrificial rituals. Arabo-Africans would still perform circumcisions on their children; and send them through rites of passage that taught the secrets of the universe. They would continue to cover themselves with dust or flour as an act of humility when in the audience of a royal or other high official.

Another major reason why precolonial AfRaKans may have more easily converted to Islam over Christianity was for the supposedly writings in the Koran that forbid Muslims taking/making slaves of other Muslims. Where all a slave had to do to become free was to convert to Islam.

But with the invasion of organized religion; queens were replaced by male only kings. And the kings were relieved of their spiritual duties. Instead, kings became administrative principals with reputations for being tyrants. While Muslim leadership took over the influence of the AfRaKan people. With Islamization, justice was dispensed by the laws of the Koran. When precolonial AfRaKans followed natural universal law practiced in their spirituality.

Even after AfRaKans began to realized they had given away their essence of lay Republicanism; they refused to return to tribalism. Instead, colonized AfRaKans adopted materialistic politics that included the practices of individualism and centralization.

#open-door-slavery

Before major land-grabbing invasions of AfRaKa began; western Asians were already coming to AfRaKa for trade. During 990 AD, a group of Europeans called the “Berbers” lived within the Mali and Ghana empires in peace… ruled by AfRaKan queens and kings. Traditionals acquired slaves through markets and wars; as described in my first posting. Just as well, the Berbers began to take slaves… while living under AfRaKan political power. If only the leadership of those empires could fathom how leaving the door to slavery wide open would affect the continent…

On page 142 of the book is a VERY IMPORTANT statement on how much the European slave trade impacted AfRaKa:

“It has been estimated that the slave trade swallowed up one hundred to three hundred million individuals, dead or shipped to America. So, had it not been for slavery, the total figure of Black population on the continent would probably have been four times what it now is: it would have been in the vicinity of four hundred million. Otherwise, the estimate is 100-300 Million ripped from the land. What a sad state of affairs for the purpose of capitalism.”

#post-colonial capitalism

After colonization… capitalism and European constructs against natural evolution grew in AfRaKa… of and by its people. Due to the horrors of slave marketing; theft of land; and raping of resources; many AfRaKans lost cooperative economics. Money as currency became preferred over a worker’s ability to barter her/his skills as direct trade for services and goods. Centralization of all resources became controlled by the colonist. Traditional workers lost their livelihoods; and had to survive as vagrants. With colonist-rules instituting harsh penal policies to further oppress the AfRaKan.

The author does Not suggest the precolonial AfRaKan should have never evolved from the traditional ways. But there probably would have been a more natural progression of economics for the AfRaKan if not for colonization. Although many AfRaKans today sincerely reject the traditional ways of tribalism. Many leaders today agree that fair labor and trade comes from professional associations where as in traditional times households kept a monopoly on a specialty that was both valuable and needed to its village. Little to no direct competition for a household would provide generational opportunity to thrive economically.

Before colonization, resources were plentiful in AfRaKa. And there was no need for the hording of land and assets as with capitalism. A more “natural economy” exists when AfRaKans produced and consumed only what they need. But capitalism incites the AfRaKan to do business for the pure purpose of profits. Capitalism is designed to create unnecessary busyness to create more wealth. For the AfRaKan, forms of excessiveness only brings social anxiety. The book is the only mention I’ve ever read describing Chaka, king of the Zulu, as a pawn for the English to infiltrate other South AfRaKan clans.

#intellectual-culture-destruction

The great Mali empire once hosted Timbuktu, the greatest institution of learning on Earth. The city was once filled with determined, curious minds lead by Master Educators who didn’t take pay. These teachers and trainers main focus was to ensure future generations of AfRaKans were trained to evolve the noble practices of traditional AfRaKa.

But after colonization, the city de-volved to a hybrid of people that “only concerned themselves with hatred, envy and discord.” It is suggest their interests in gossip, slander and covertness became the post-colonial path of the modern AfRaKan. The author describes how the Moroccan army of Spanish mercenaries looted gold and artifacts from the great institution; and ripped wood from the walls to use for boats. Destroying intellectual property was among the many atrocities committed to destroy the city of Timbuktu. Supposedly, in an effort to save some scholastic artifacts from Timbuktu; hundreds of documents of science “lay dormant” in dis-organized arrangements across the continent; and in European museums. The documents are evidence to the intellectual level of precolonial empires that no modern AfRaKans seems interested in.

Other innovation stolen after colonization include architecture and medical advancements. Precolonial AfRaKan structures built with rounded walls and entries are thought to have come from the Arabs. But the book emphasizes that traditional Sudanese style buildings were never square. Instead precolonial structures from precolonial Sudan were constructed oblong. At lot of medical science is attributed to the Greeks. But precolonial sciences of AfRaKa included successful cataract surgeries and cauterization of wounds.

The book is a total gem. I’m so fortunate to have read it. The author’s narrative was written with a very pro-masculine voice. But I could tell he had a sincere respect for the role of precolonial AfRaKan women.

I hope Pan-AfRaKan communities will greatly consider the points made in the book. The slavery of precolonial AfRaKa was so very different in how chattel slavery was conducted here in America. Private land ownership is just a crazy concept for excessive gains and selfish profits. The sooner we free the land; the sooner Mother Nature can help us and heal. And AfRaKans across the world would do themselves well to learn and inner-stand how early empires worked together to keep their power using maternal-linealism and servant-rulers. Foreign trade should never go as far as to completely destroy the natural progression of economics for an entire group of people. All those points can be used to make AfRaKa great again.

Asante Ashe.

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Caste in PreColonial AfRaKa

My Commentary from the book

Chapter One: ANALYSIS OF THE CONCEPT OF CASTE

KEY COMENTARY POINTS:

1. Division of Labor vs Supremacist Slavery

2. No Nobles No Caste

3. Matriarchal Tribes Evolve

4. Prisoners of War

5. District Communities

6. Land Ownership Feudalism

There have been many misconceptions taught and accepted that pre-columbian AfRaKans of the motherland captured and sold each other for profit. This confusion has created anxiousness between Pan-AfRaKans across the world. But slavery, as exercised in the United States and other lands of abusive colonization; was not the norm practiced in pre-columbian AfRaKa by the children of the Sun.

Point1: Division of Labor vs Supremacist Slavery

Pre-columbian AfRaKans mostly practiced something better described as a caste system that arose for distinguishing the divisions of labor. So that, as high civilizations evolved; villagers organized themselves by the career paths they chose or inherited. There were basically two divisions of labor: Slaves and Free-PherSuns (persons). The free pherSuns were even more distinguished by descriptors like “gor”, “ger”, and neno.” The Ger were nobles; manual professionals; and agriculturist (a sacred activity). Neno described artisans; shoemakers; blacksmiths; and goldsmiths. And unlike the abusive behaviors of supremacist slave owners; the ger could loose respect for exploiting others in a different caste. Because all caste, including slaves, were associated with some sort of power structure.

Point2: No Nobles No Caste

There are pre-colonial writings that describe that before the invasions of North Africa; no kings were found of the clans or tribes. I’m going to take privilege here to make an assumption that this may have been the case where a Euro-centric thinking author totally disqualified matriarchal ruler-ships. But either way; where there were No nobles; there was no caste system.

Point3: Matriarchal Tribes Evolve

The book suggests tribal systems began to be delineate as early as 1352 AD. And as groups of AfRaKans expanded into vast communities and societies; they organized into specialized professions that created a division of labor. Before then, the clans were indeed purely matriarchal. PherSuns were named after their mothers and father’s sister. Male inheritances went to the nephews. And names included a description of their clan.

Point4: Prisoners of War

What is usually not emphasized to AfRaKan-Americans is that AfRaKan slaves brought to the Americas; via the trans-atlantic slave trade; were mostly the result of becoming a prisoner of war, POW. As a result of their tribe/clan loosing a major battle; the defeated would be brought to the village of the victor after their own village was dismantled. Because their home became a conquest; they could be traded, gifted or sold. Many times, the leadership of a defeated clan would be purposely sent/sold far away as to not resurrect an uprising. While those with more passive attitudes could take on labor duties for the victor.

But the book makes it very clear that slaves to the mothers households were never POWs. Instead natives of the clan took on roles to serve the mothers. Whereas POW slaves could be used in fathers activities. This distinguishes further evidence how important the womben of any tribe or nation was. That the pre-columbian AfRaKan safe guarded its womben from potentially dangerous pherSuns.

Point5: Districts Communities

The book lists 7-classes of free pherSuns in Kemet, ancient Nubian Egypt. The households lived in districts (nomes) associated with their class: -priest, -warriors, -herdsmen, -swineherders, -tradesmen, -interpreters, and -pilots. Since the book did not explain the roles of the classes; I’m going to provide what I’ve learned of Kemet:

Priest – Before the union of Upper and Lower Kemet, spiritual guidance was the role of the Sibyls. The Sibyls were all womben dedicated to the Great House or Pharaoh. After the union, male priest from Lower Kemet; which had already been integrated with Euro-centric thought; were allowed to provide guidance. I’ve read and viewed images of Kemetic locations; and re-member areas described as districts. One area that is of particular interest is situated near the Amenhotep III temple in Luxor; an abandoned area desribed as the District of MU or Womben’s District where statues of Goddess Sekhmet were found and stolen.

Warriors – The armies consisted of both a cavalry and infantry. PherSuns trained in the art of military and war made up the cavalry like the officer ranks we are familiar with. And non-professional laborers, including POW slaves, served as infantrymen. These warriors lived in a specific district; not unlike the military bases of today.

Herdsmen – This is most likely who we call ranchers that tend to domesticated animals. Like today, these districts were probably far from the cities; and included housing in the midst of grazing land. Since agriculturist are not pointed out; I’m assuming they lived in these rural districts as well.

Swineherders– This group was considered of the most un-pure and lowest of the classes by “Muslim religious” standards. But they were not any less wealthy or powerless than any other herdsmen. No other classes intermarried with the swineherders. Superstitions insisted Egyptians not touch pig or anyone who touched pig. It is my assumption the Muslims of Lower Kemet insisted on making the distinction between herdsmen. Swineherders districts were probably located in rural areas with other Upper Kemetic herdsmen who hadn’t converted to Islam.

Tradesmen– Sales pherSuns and market managers might have made up the tradesmen district. I can imagine community activity centered around this district for pherSuns to purchase goods and services.

Interpreters- From what I’ve learned about Kemet; interpreters would be todays master teachers. I’m also going to assume those practicing medicine and other science lived in these districts. In Kemet; medicine was considered an art; and every physician practiced a specialty by disease.

Pilots- Even though some would think aircraft didn’t exist during Kemetic ages; there are indeed words and art left in the stone that describe very advance means for transportation.  So that a pilot’s district probably included those in roles for transporting pherSuns and goods whether it be by land, water or air.

Point6: Land Ownership Feudalism

Every caste system was involved in cultivation of the soil; even the ruling classes. But the pre-columbian AfRaKan believed land could Not be owned or conquered. Instead, the respected poor of the village were entrusted with the spirit of the land. Earth was considered divinity; and it would be “sacrilege” to try and own it. The book suggests concepts of private land ownership didn’t begin on the continent until a sea port was developed by Europeans at the Cape Verde peninsula. And thus feudalism entered AfRaKa.

As I continue reading the book; I’m glad the author provided an analysis of pre-columbian caste systems in the first chapter. He makes it clear that slavery in AfRaKa was not as we know it in the Americas. But rather more so a division of labor… even though POW servants don’t seem to have had an easy life.

Looking forward to the next chapters.

Asante Ashe.

Euro-Academia Not 4 the AfRaKan

“Though we have the ability to be independent, we’re almost mentally enslaving ourselves to dependence.” – Dr. Marimba Ani

Just about to complete my third year working in the schools and I’m finally innerstanding why the system is failing our community.  After my first few assignments; I knew there was something very wrong. And it wasn’t because the teachers don’t care; or behavior issues from the students.

No wonder my children never considered education a serious matter.

The joke is on Us.  We have been trumped again; now that I’ve learned that the whole Euro-centric education system, here in the United States; was never meant to empower Us.

Truth is… Euro-centric Education is training the AfRaKan student to work against themselves. A European reality is an illusion to the AfRaKan. Euro-academia is designed to be objective, meaningless and de-spiritualized. With Euro-centric education, Afro-Americans are being mentally exterminated.  We don’t always consciously recognize it; but we live it everyday.

Don’t know the difference between Afro-centricism and Euro-Asian thought?  Here is a chart to help:

It’s NOT too late to remove the conditioning.

But the FEAR has to go.

We Must Love 2 Evolve.

Asante Ashe

My Neo-Kemetic Break Fast – Updated

So… sitting here eating bar-b-que chips at 10:30a; I’m compelled to update this post.  Please see changes/updates in red text as follows:

—————————–

Just wanting to share a little ritual I do most every morning nowadays.

I’ve been told a healthy bio-body is one that can fast every once in a while.  Well, I fast almost everyday doing what most formally call “breakfast.”  The objective is to allow the bio-body to properly cleanse before introducing any heavy foods.

I once read that our digestive system wants a schedule to fully and properly cleanse in the mornings (restroom); grab nutrients during our waking hours  (mid-day to 8p); and do digesting while we are sleep.  So that  if we are eating at all times of the day; our system can get its syncronozation off and cause us distress.

Nowdays, I actually break my fast using a daily morning ritual as such:

1st – When I wake up; and before putting any thing else in my mouth… I drink at least 2-glasses of water.  One glass may be coconut water.  Drinking water is my tool for being able to fast without getting hungry until morning is over.  It is said many times when we think we are hungry, we are actually thirsty.  So drinking the two glasses usually takes any hunger pains I have when I wake; it replenishes any hydration I need; AND it gives my body the green-light to start cleansing (by releasing my bio-wastes).  So during the early parts of the morning, I’m just drinking water, tea or coffee as part of my fasting ritual.

By 10a, I have used the restroom about twice (including a good bowl movement) and my bio-body may begin to ask for some nurishment.

Quick Note on Bowl Movements:  Never Strain…Drink More Water

So instead of eating any kind of processed foods between 10a and noon (or mid day); I go for a piece of fruit and/or nuts… so I’ve not formally broken my fast at this time.

I am ready to Break my Fast as close to noon (Re or  mid day) as I can.

But the KEY IS NEVER DIS-EASE YOURSELF.  If you want to try and Break Fast each morning; but some mornings it just doesn’t work out… Keep Kalm and try again the next day.

Eventually, my bio-body has synced up with the Break Fast; and my digestive system is feeling a lot better nowadays.

This is Just my Journey, I’m willing to share.

Lots of Light and Love, Asante Ashe.

7 Basic Neo-Kemetic Root Word Energies

the Ta Het Ra Ma Da Ka Ba

To Be Neo-Kemetic is to inner-stand Self and Oneness; and to embrace the source of our origins and life-force. Being Neo-Kemite is seeking personal evolution by personal journey using personal truth. And in my truth, I seek to change my thinking by using terms from my Neo-Kemetic culture. So after meditation and study, I’m adopting the following 7-basic root terms to describe my energies:

the Ta – Matter

From my studies, in ancient Kemet, the term Ta Ma Ra is used to name our planet Earth. The Ta stands for land or matter… such as in nature that includes water, wind, air and fire. These are truly the elements of our planet. When I’m rooted, I’m connected to the Ta.

the Het – Creativity

The attributes of GodIs Het-Heru help me inner-stand any word using the root “Het.” GodIs Het-Heru is usually symbolized by the cow spirit… representing mother’s milk. Every bio-organism comes from a mother. Thus the importance of the root Het to describe sacral energy for creativity. Het can also be associated with sympathy, empathy, compassion and caring; all great attributes for fostering co-partnerships.

the Ra – Solar

Not only is Ra associated with the Sun and the Krist (Christ); but the Ra is the energizing force to drive passion for purpose. The day the Sun stops shinning on me; will be the last day I have for natural evolution on Earth… because the Ra is an integral part of the source of my life-force (along with all other natural Beings.)

the Ma – Nurturing

My Mother Nature is the Ma. But the Ma is not just divine feminine energy. All of the NTR can be associated with the Ma’at… a matriarchy where feminine and masculine energies are well balanced. The Ma helps me align Self (Ta, Het, Ra) with Oneness.

the Da – Knowing

From my studies, the word/terms “Da’at” means knowing; and “Da’ath” means to die without knowing. So that, I will associate the root “Da” with knowing AND sharing. Because knowing without sharing is another form of greed and hording.

the Ka – Soul

The word Soul is very similar to the Moorish Latin word Sol meaning sun, light, brightness or energy from the sun. And since the word Soul adds the letter “U” (you) to the word Sol; I derive the meaning for the word Soul to be “my enlightenment.”

If we associate matter with elements of the Earth and the Ether that provides connections to those elements…when the Soul connects to matter it ignites Essence. And Essence holds the keys to unlock the coded strands of our DNA. Our DNA is the blue-print for our consciousness instructions. Because consciousness determines how I choose life pathways:

-I choose my life-style;
-I connect 2 Spirit;
-I energize from Ra;
-I evolve through love;
-spirit connects me to other Ka.

And when my choices are fueled by “source energy” (Ra); ascension activities are enhanced; and my Essence is attributed to my “Life-Force” or Sekhem. Other cultures call it Kundalini Energy or Chi. When the Ka is joined with the Ra; I activate Solar (SolR) energy.

the Ba – Spirit

Ka + Ba = Spirit

Spirit creates connections for me to other Ka in diverse dimensions using the Ba. Even though Ka alone can represent “self”; joined with Ba, I achieve Oneness. People refer to their “spirit animals” when their Ka connects to someone/something in the Animal Kingdom. In prayer, I connect to my ancestors, in a different relm, using the Ba.

From these 7-root words, I now link the 7-Kemetic Intelligence Centers (ChakRa) with known medical science:

Root – the Ta – Spleen Gland- blood filtering;
Sacral – the Het – Gonad Gland – creativity and reproductive functions;
Solar – the Ra – Adrenal Gland – super natural growth for strength;
Heart – the Ma – Thymus Gland – T cells that protect immunity;
Throat – the Da – Thyroid Gland – metabolism;
1^st Eye – the Ka – Pineal Gland – melanin synthesis;
Crown – the Ba – Pituitary Gland – nervous system.

As always, I pray you stay on a peaceful path for your personal enlightenment. Please feel free to use my Kemetic studies on your journey.

Stay Well, Stay Woke, Stay Warm

Asante Ashe.

US Historical Amnesia

Part 1 – My notes from the book,

“An African American and Latinx History of the United States”
by Paul Ortiz

I met Dr. Paul Ortiz back in February when he did a book signing at Texas Christian University. I hate to admit I just finished the book I started more than nine months ago… but it seems appropriate I can now publish a blog from my notes… as I camp on the Rio Grande River.

You may wonder why this text belongs in my Kemetic Studies blog space? And I say… it makes sense that just like the ancient philosophies and science of Kemet have been left from main stream American textbooks; we must demand history not more than 400 years young be part of modern history books.

I loved the book from the first page. It brought to me bold and clearly exemplified examples how US American history is written from an elitist perspective. I hadn’t thought much about it; but now I can clearly relate to how major contributions by the poor and working-class of our country are left out… a form of “historical amnesia.” Just as mentioned in the book, also in my history classes, Abraham Lincoln was glorified as a hero to Afro-Americans for “putting an end to slavery”; in his Emancipation Proclamation. But the entire narrative on how the US was founded on racial economics is not taught. It seems Dr. Ortiz is suggesting a “new origin narrative” for American history. A narrative that would include people like Carl Hansberry; an Afro-American, who in 1945 presented at a conference in Mexico to propose ending racism and militarism in the Americas.

And how Geoconda Arguello Kline left her home land of Nicaragua in 1983; to help organize a labor union in Nevada that supported workers in 48-nations.

I agree with Dr. Ortiz. Traditional US history has most often been written with emphasis that stretches to and from European lands. Hardly much of any details are found from the origins of Africa, the Caribbean and the rest of the Americas… what the author refers to as the “Global South.” How can the US declare itself a body of democracy; when its historical aspects of diversity hardy reach beyond Europe?

I learned from the reading… Mexico was the first country, in the world, to fully “frame in” a social democratic constitution. And unlike the US; that constitution of Mexico was realized With-Out racial economics (slavery). Latin America’s highest accomplishments for civil rights include: a Right to Organize; a Right to an Education; and a Right to Health Care. These aspects have been added to the UN Declaration of Human Rights. But the book author suggests Latinx have yet to be given credit for sharing their early accomplishments for providing opportunities for quality of life with the rest of the world.

The book is great about explaining how Afro-American and Latinx communities have more in common from an American Global perspective than what is originally thought. It has been widely noted that both groups of people have indigenous, African and European blood running through their veins, (Afro-Latinx, Indo-African, Moreno, Mestizo). Some Latin American countries consider Africa “Nuestra Tercera Raiz”; meaning “Our third root.” However, traditionally accepted historical literature make sure the two people’s events and activities stay distinctively separate. And modern day leadership seems to be attempting to widen the gaps for divisiveness. Truths must be known, to every generation; there are deep rooted connections between Afro-American Anti-Imperialist, Mexican Labor Unions, Central American Workers, and Caribbean Anti-Colonialist.

Dr. Ortiz suggests his book is an attempt to “chip away at the barriers that have been placed in the way of understanding between people, between nations.” He uses many examples of Fredrick Douglass’ speeches and writings to express Douglass’ insistence, that the center of the United States development has been imperialism and economic slavery. For instance:

-the US focused on Florida when a war was waged with the Native and Indigenous Americans of the Seminole tribes… concluding with the brutal Trail of Tears to a reservation that would later be taken away from them again and named Oklahoma;

-the Louisiana Purchase took away ancient lands from more Native/Indigenous Americans and further disenfranchised free Afro-Americans with hateful,greedy policy that intensified racial economics (slavery);

-the Annexation of Texas waged war with Mexico for rich resourceful lands;

-the Missouri Compromise consists of broken promises to keep slavery south and east of the Mississippi river;

-and the Pacific Railroad projects effectively created additional labor abuses by corporations… to Asian communities at that time.

The truths behind these and other racial capitalism is left out of history books; and can be described as historical amnesia.

The United Farm Worker Organizing Committee (UFWOC), co-founded by Cesar Chavez; is an excellent example of how Filipino and Chicana/o farmer workers came together with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on occasions. Together, they emphasized the struggles of working-class people for international liberation. Some suggest Dr. King’s anti-Vietnam War stance lead to his assassination when his movement’s attention began to highly focus on labor issues. King called for an end to slaughtering Vietnamese farm workers by US military. Ortiz suggest both Douglass and King believed “oppression and militarism” destroys attempts for the US to become “truly democratic.”

Some of the worse misrepresentations in US history involve how slave owning “Founding Fathers” attempted to write “civil liberties” in the Constitution of the United States. A constitution that developed policy for Racial Capitalism… where slavery is historically ignored as “mythological innocence.” The world should agree with the Colored American who can legitimately question the US as a “Model Republic.” A county with policy of buying a man for money; and hanging and burning him alive does not give the impression that the US is the freest county in the world.

It is eye opening to realize while reading the book, that in every expect; poor people have had to organize and fight for “civil liberties” that are not automatically granted in US policy. Therefore, “Self-Emancipation” must embody everyone in America… no matter their color, nationality or wealth bracket to “Make America Great.” The book quotes Dr. Coretta Scott King’s notes to explain… just as skin color hues of every American make us different; oppression for being colored and poor make us the same.

Afro-American civil rights workers believed the victory of Cuba’s revolutionary war against Spain would “enhance freedom’s march everywhere.” Literature on these beliefs, and others, are available to be integral to US history textbooks on how early colonist fought many a battle against their European opposition. In a similar manner, there seems to be a double standard on what is good foreign policy when its appropriate for US military zones to start international migrations; that later classify those impacted as illegal aliens.

So what is the solution to US historical amnesia? For one, we must embrace the theme… There is More than One Way to be American. And US school curriculum must include the historical aspects of Afro-Latinx-Caribbean culture, pride, and struggle to enhance the traditional American history they already receive. The sooner we put an end to our historical amnesia. The sooner we are on the road to “Making America Great Again.”

Side Note: It is not my intention to steal any wording or phasing from the book. I hope I was careful enough to not misrepresent the author or any content of the writings. Asante Ashe.