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> 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
>
>
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