TENDAI MWARI
The Afrikan world received a monumental jolt on the second day of Mosiah (Aug) 6261 (2021), when the family of Baba Runoko Rashidi Okello announced his transition into the Ancestral Realm:
“Family, it is with our most sincere and deepest regret that the family of Dr. Runoko Rashidi announced the sad news that he has transitioned into the ancestral realm on today, August 2nd, 2021. He was on tour in Kmt, doing what he loved most. He will be greatly missed. Please allow his family the time and privacy needed during this difficult moment. We will be posting more information and updating this website as it becomes available.
Bro. Yirser Ra Hotep
Bro. Vernon
Sis. Teresa Dobson
Sis. Althea Cooper” (1)
Aged 67, Baba Rashidi had been in Kemet since July 31st for his annual tour that was scheduled to finish on Mosiah 13th. (2) He is known fondly throughout the Afrikan world as one of our most travelled (if not the most), consistent and beloved warrior scholars as well as being “the world’s leading authority on the African Presence in Early Asia.” He was indeed a giant and he cut his scholastic teeth walking in the footsteps of giants like Baba Chancellor Williams, like Baba John G Jackson, like Baba John Henrik Clarke, like Baba Yusef Ben-Jochannan, like Baba Edward Scobie, like Baba Jan Carew, like Baba Cheikh Anta Diop,, like Baba Asa Hilliard, like Baba Ivan Van Sertima. For many, he first came to prominence as a contributor and editor of the Journal Of African Civilizations, volumes such as African Presence In Early Asia; African Presence In Early Europe; Black Women In Antiquity and Egypt: Child of Africa, published by Ivan Van Sertima. (3)
The seeds of his future Afrikan-Centred orientation were well planted while still a student. It was in his late teens that he reclaimed the name Runoko Rashidi (some decades later the name Okello was bestowed on him while visiting northern Uganda). (4) That orientation blossomed as he became a much-travelled historian truly endearing himself to the Afrikan world. By his own account he visited 124 countries (although there a few of these he still needs to account for). (5). He was a frequent visitor to the UK and was renowned for his avuncular demeanour, his accessibility, humility and especially his ability to spectacularly illuminate little known aspects of the global Afrikan presence – with an abundance of documentary proof! (6)
Perhaps less well known was his political activism and ideology. In a 2010 interview with journalist Sis. Molara Wood he proudly declared:
“I can only be with a Black woman, and the reason for that is: I think of all those sisters who went through the Transatlantic Slave Trade, all of my ancestors who were raped and who were assaulted. And for me to be with anything other than a Black woman, I think, would be disrespectful to my African ancestors. I have a great respect for Black women… I view them as my equal at every level.” (7)
Baba Rashidi had been an Garveyite for over 40 years, serving as an active member of the UNIA-ACL for many of them. He also undertook Associate Editor duties for the UNIA-ACL Journal Garvey’s Voice. In July 2011 he was publicly sworn in as UNIA-ACL Traveling Ambassador by the then UNIA-ACL President General Senghor Jawara Baye.
Among his published books are: Introduction to the Study of African Classical Civilizations; The Global African Community: Travel Notes; Black Star: The African Presence in Early Europe; Uncovering the African Past: The Ivan Van Sertima Papers; My Global Journeys in Search of the African Presence; Assata-Garvey and Me: A Global African Journey for Children (with the Uncovering The African Past Research Group) and The Black Image in Antiquity: Beautiful, Royal and Divine, published in 2020.
Baba Rashidi took his legacy very seriously, indeed in 2010 proclaimed:
“I want people to mention my name in the same breath as people like John Henry Clark and Chancellor Williams and others. I want people to say that he was a great African, that he was a lover of Africa and that would be quite enough.” (8)
It must surely be the case that Baba Rashidi’s wish will be granted and he will nestle in the firmament of the greats. Moreover, many have noted the significance of him passing on the Motherland which has added poignancy given his own contemplation of his mortality:
“I want us to love Africa with our dying breath. As God is my witness, I hope my last words on earth are: Long Live Africa.” (9)
Thus, may the spirit of Baba Runoko Rashidi Okello rise on the wings of Ma’at after a favourable judgement in the council of Asar. AṢẸ! AṢẸ! AṢẸ-O!!!
TENDAI MWARI
(1) Dr Runoko Rashidi (02/08/21) From the Family of Runoko Rashidi. http://drrunoko.com/support/08-02-2021-from-the-family-of-runoko-rashidi/
(2) Olivia Olphin (03/08/21) Runoko Rashidi’s death announced: Academic community mourns scholar and historian. https://www.thefocus.news/culture/runoko-rashidi-death/
(3) Runoko Rashidi, Ivan Van Sertima (Eds) (1985) African Presence In Early Asia, Transaction Publishers; Ivan Van Sertima (Ed) (1985) Nile Valley Civilizations, Transaction Publishers; Ivan Van Sertima, Larry Williams (Eds) (1986) Great African Thinkers: Cheikh Anta Diop, Transaction Publishers; Runoko Rashidi (2005) The Global African Community: Travel Notes. Runoko Rashidi. p. 63
(4) Lola Balola (26/09/10) Runoko Rashidi Speaks in Nigeria (Interview). http://drrunoko.com/african-history/runoko-rashidi-speaks-in-nigeria-interview/
(5) Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan on Galaxy Radio (13.01.20) Interview with Runoko Rashidi during the show, How do we get POWER? Tribute to Amos Wilson. https://www.mixcloud.com/AfrikaSpeaks/how-do-we-get-power-a-tribute-to-amos-wilson-130120/
(6) Rashidi (2005) Op. Cit.
(7) Molara Wood (18/09/10) Runoko and the search for Africa. Next On Sunday
(8) Balola. Op. Cit.
(9) Wood Op. Cit.
We ask the question:
Runoko Rashidi: How can we best safeguard his legacy? A Tribute.
1) How do we assess Runoko Rashidi’s contribution to the Afrikan World?
2) Do you have a favourite book or essay?
3) What is the best way to make use of his scholarship?
4) Where does passing leave Afrikan-Centred scholarship?
Our Special Guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of almost 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.
Baba Senghor Jawara Baye: is the 1st Assistant President-General Government of the UNIA-ACL RC2020. He has been a member of The Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League, the organization founded by Marcus Mosiah Garvey in 1914 for over 40 years and served as its President General between 2008 and 2016. That period saw the profile of the UNIA-ACL raise significantly around the world. Baba Senghor is the author of A Garveyite’s Whirlwind Journey 1980 to 2016, for which Baba Runoko Rashidi wrote the introduction.