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As highlighted in the previous show Afrikan (“Black”) History Month (AHM) in the UK was launched with the context of Afrikan Jubilee Year. The reasons for October being chosen are both practical and deeply rooted in Ancestral cosmology. (1)
The initial focus of AHM was largely on schools and academic institutions. Indeed:
“By the designation of October as Black History Month it is our expectation that “Africa’s ideals”, shall forever be manifested in the upliftment of the African Personality in our schools, institutions of higher learning, communities, borough councils and especially in the hearts, minds and deeds of politicians.” (2)
October is early in the academic year where students are fresh and the spectre of exams is not an immediate concern. The tenth month in the year also coincides with a number of sacred observances in the Ancient Kemetic (“Egyptian”) calendar such as: Feast Day of Ma’at (7th); Aset (“Isis”) goes forth (10th); Festival of establishing Heru as King; The appearance before Ptah (14th); Feast of the Three Noble Ladies (15th); Feast of Asr (“Osiris”) in Abydos (27th) and Day of Transformation into the Bennu Bird (Phoenix) (28th). (3)
Thus in essence AHM strives to combine the spiritual with the political. The declaration of Afrikan Jubilee Year, out of which AHM was established pronounced its support for just restitution (reparations) for Afrikans “both at home and abroad” in recognition that:
“Some of the root causes of racial discrimination, inequality of opportunity and poor relations between persons of different racial groups within their boroughs are imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism. The years in incalculable damage done to the African continent based on the myth of white supremacy bear witness to this fact.” (4)
As a corrective, Afrikan Jubilee Year declaration proscribes to:
· “Promote positive public images and an understanding of Africans and people of African descent and encourage the positive teaching and development of their history, culture and struggles.
· Encourage the naming of streets, buildings and parks after Marcus Garvey and other prominent personalities of the Pan-African revolutionary process, and the commemoration of historic connections between the Pan-African revolutionary struggle and London, including the erection of plaques, sculptures, and murals in honour of such connections.
· Support African organisations and liberation movements based in London.” (5)
However, it doesn’t appear that a great deal has changed (for the better) for Afrikans “at home and abroad” in the 29 intervening years since AHM/ Afrikan Jubilee Year was established. Political commentator, author and film maker Prince Justice explained a decade ago, “it is apparent that the blackworld is in trouble,” yet he suggested that “the trouble is probably not as desperate as it appears.”:
“Black people do not need to wage any new war for revenge, ideology, religion, or territory, apart from fully reclaiming the control of our rich territories and our own ideologies and beliefs… The key to personal and overall Black economic development is the efficient promotion of black culture and knowledge.” (6)
Prince Justice revisits these themes in his forthcoming epic documentary The Blackworld, which attempts no less than “to use both global ancient and contemporary knowledge systems to truly decipher human history, present and future” and whether this points to a coming era of global Afrikan economic ascendency. (7)
(1) Akyaaba Addai-Sebo and Ansel Wong (Eds) (1988) Our Story: A Handbook Of African History and Contemporary Issues. London Strategic Policy Unit. p. 6(2) Ibid.(3) Kiya (14/03/2006) The Festivals. http://the-dash-between.blogspot.co.uk/2006/03/festivals.html. See also: Ancient Egyptian Festival Calendar.http://panhistoria.com/www/AncientEgyptianVirtualTemple/calendar1.html(4) Akyaaba Addai-Sebo and Ansel Wong (Eds) (1988) Our Story: A Handbook Of African History and Contemporary Issues. London Strategic Policy Unit. p. 319(5) Ibid.(6) Prince Justice (2005) The Blackworld: Evolution To Revolution. AU Publishers. p. 412.(7) Prince Jusctice and Michael Onikoyi-Deckon (2016) The Blackworld, AU Media in association with Shutterbug Creative Media
So tonight we ask the question:
How can our history guide us towards liberation?
1. Which AHM event have you been to/will be going to?
2. After 29 years has AHM really enhanced our historical knowledge?
3. If so, How? If not, why not?
4. Does AHM reflect Afrikan spiritual traditions and concepts?
5. Are we really on the verge of an era of global Afrikan economic ascendency?
Our very special guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 30 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwindnewspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Guide To Excellence.
Prince Justice: was born in Europe, educated in Afrika and agitated in the USA he is the author of The Blackworld: Evolution To Revolution and Tutuoba: Salem’s Black Shango Slave Queen. He is also the executive producer of the forthcoming documentary The Blackworld.
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