African wisdom profoundly revolves around deep soul searching discourses among the sages in a society in search of truth and the meaning of reality.
Among the DOGON people of Mali, discourse of phenomena and events in the society is so important, that in every village a 'Togu Na' - 'House of Words' is built. The Togu Na is the center for intellectual discourse and social meeting point for the men of each village. The house is built with a low ceiling, supported by carved or sculptured posts, to prevent heated arguments from turning into physical confrontations. So, while inside--you can only remain seated, listen and participate in the discussion.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
How Nubia (Africa) civilised the world.
Modern Law is often referred to as Judeo-Christian--based on its Judaic origins. But what is forgotten or never mentioned is that when (according to Bibilical accounts), Moses laid down the 10 commandments upon which this law is derived, the Jews or followers of Judaism--had come out 400 years of exile in Nubia.
During that time the successive generations of the Hebrew speaking peoples, acquired and were tutored in traditions, laws, philosophies and religious beliefs, of the Afro-Nubian civilizations.These traditions and philosophies formed the basis of what later came to be known as Judaism. In a nutshell Africa, gave the world its leading religious philosophies.
But just in case you still doubt the role Africa has contributed to world religion, what is considered to be the world's oldest religious site was recently discovered by archeologists in the Kalahari. The site is estimated to be 70,000 years old.
Just to demonstrate the depth and scale of how Africa has shaped world history and civilisation, here is a sample of modern technologies and practices that owe their origin to ancient Nubia:
1.Wine and wine making
2. Brewing technology
3. Coffee brewing
4. Mathematics
5. Astronomy--the astronomical knowledge of the DOGON people of Mali, is one of the most advanced ever among modern humans.
6. The modern 365 day calendar.
7. Day, hour measurements using a water clock
8. Hieroglyphics - the earliest known writing.
9. Black Ink
10. Paper manufactured from the fibers of the papyrus plant.
11. Population census
11. A Postal system and the use of Carrier pigeons
12. Cartography
13. Architecture and building technnology
14. The Pyramids
15. Rowed Ships
Dhows/ Sail boats and ships
The Navy
Mortar and cement
brick making
Construction of Arched ceilings
Irrigation systems
Obelisks
Man-made canals
Rope from hemp
Surveying techniques
Tunnelling techniques
Metalurgy--iron works, copper and tin mines
Development of Bronze by mixing tin and copper
Construction and use of copper piping
Metal tools for farming, hunting and weaponry
Jewelry
The flute
The Lyre -
The Clarinet
Trumpet
Ox-Drawn Ploughs
Sickle blades
Domestication of Cattle and the Donkey
Beekeeping
Knowledge of human anatomy
Surgical instruments
Surgical techniques
Medical specialisation
Medicines for various ailments
The Comb
Use of a hot hair straightening comb
Henna for nail paint and hair coloring
Scissors
Wigs
Cosmetics including eye makeup
Perfumery
Dental health tools--Toothbrush and toothpaste
Linen produced from flax
Textile looms
Dye making
Sandals
This list is only a synopsis the breath and scale endogenous Nubian innovations can not be exhausted here, but it gives one the depth and value of the heritage.
awori.achoka@gmail.com
During that time the successive generations of the Hebrew speaking peoples, acquired and were tutored in traditions, laws, philosophies and religious beliefs, of the Afro-Nubian civilizations.These traditions and philosophies formed the basis of what later came to be known as Judaism. In a nutshell Africa, gave the world its leading religious philosophies.
But just in case you still doubt the role Africa has contributed to world religion, what is considered to be the world's oldest religious site was recently discovered by archeologists in the Kalahari. The site is estimated to be 70,000 years old.
Just to demonstrate the depth and scale of how Africa has shaped world history and civilisation, here is a sample of modern technologies and practices that owe their origin to ancient Nubia:
1.Wine and wine making
2. Brewing technology
3. Coffee brewing
4. Mathematics
5. Astronomy--the astronomical knowledge of the DOGON people of Mali, is one of the most advanced ever among modern humans.
6. The modern 365 day calendar.
7. Day, hour measurements using a water clock
8. Hieroglyphics - the earliest known writing.
9. Black Ink
10. Paper manufactured from the fibers of the papyrus plant.
11. Population census
11. A Postal system and the use of Carrier pigeons
12. Cartography
13. Architecture and building technnology
14. The Pyramids
15. Rowed Ships
Dhows/ Sail boats and ships
The Navy
Mortar and cement
brick making
Construction of Arched ceilings
Irrigation systems
Obelisks
Man-made canals
Rope from hemp
Surveying techniques
Tunnelling techniques
Metalurgy--iron works, copper and tin mines
Development of Bronze by mixing tin and copper
Construction and use of copper piping
Metal tools for farming, hunting and weaponry
Jewelry
The flute
The Lyre -
The Clarinet
Trumpet
Ox-Drawn Ploughs
Sickle blades
Domestication of Cattle and the Donkey
Beekeeping
Knowledge of human anatomy
Surgical instruments
Surgical techniques
Medical specialisation
Medicines for various ailments
The Comb
Use of a hot hair straightening comb
Henna for nail paint and hair coloring
Scissors
Wigs
Cosmetics including eye makeup
Perfumery
Dental health tools--Toothbrush and toothpaste
Linen produced from flax
Textile looms
Dye making
Sandals
This list is only a synopsis the breath and scale endogenous Nubian innovations can not be exhausted here, but it gives one the depth and value of the heritage.
awori.achoka@gmail.com
Sunday, March 21, 2010
The Emergent afrika
The new Afrika--Nubia, has no borders. It is linked by peoples, languages, cultures and visions of the young and future generations--and wisdom of the ancient sages.
In Nubia men respect women, women respect men, the youth respect the aged, the elders respect the intellect of the young.
Nubia is proactive, not reactive, it sets the agenda and dictates global events, it does not wallow in the misery brought on it by exploiters, looters and human traffickers--it is emboldened by the vision of its future and the heritage of its past.
Nubia will be shaped and molded in cyberspace--but lived in communities, villages, cities and homes of generation Nubia. Among generation Nubia, nothing shocks us--we create and live through our own challenges. We innovate to surmount challenges create new realities.
Through our innovations we shall be linked. Through our ingenuity we shall once again rule the world. Be part of the making of a new Afrika, be part of generation Nubia. Do you have an idea? Share it!
In Nubia men respect women, women respect men, the youth respect the aged, the elders respect the intellect of the young.
Nubia is proactive, not reactive, it sets the agenda and dictates global events, it does not wallow in the misery brought on it by exploiters, looters and human traffickers--it is emboldened by the vision of its future and the heritage of its past.
Nubia will be shaped and molded in cyberspace--but lived in communities, villages, cities and homes of generation Nubia. Among generation Nubia, nothing shocks us--we create and live through our own challenges. We innovate to surmount challenges create new realities.
Through our innovations we shall be linked. Through our ingenuity we shall once again rule the world. Be part of the making of a new Afrika, be part of generation Nubia. Do you have an idea? Share it!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
African philosophy of utu
The Dogon people of Mali in West Africa practice one of the most complex and complete forms of human co-existential philosophies.
A peace loving people--believe, the DOGON believe in the famed African co-ex9stential philosophy of Utu (Kiswahili term for, love and respect for fellow humans) An excerpt of their culture in the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, states as follows:
The Dogon are strongly oriented toward harmony, which is reflected in many of their rituals. For instance, in one of their most important rituals, the women praise the men, the men thank the women, the young express appreciation for the old, and the old recognize the contributions of the young. Another example is the custom of elaborate greetings whenever one Dogon meets another. This custom is repeated over and over, throughout a Dogon village, all day. During a greeting ritual, the person who has entered the contact answers a series of questions about his or her whole family, from the person who was already there. Invariably, the answer is sewa, which means that everything is fine. Then the Dogon who has entered the contact repeats the ritual, asking the resident how his or her whole family is. Because of the word sewa is so commonly repeated throughout a Dogon village, neighboring peoples have dubbed the Dogon the sewa people.
A peace loving people--believe, the DOGON believe in the famed African co-ex9stential philosophy of Utu (Kiswahili term for, love and respect for fellow humans) An excerpt of their culture in the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, states as follows:
The Dogon are strongly oriented toward harmony, which is reflected in many of their rituals. For instance, in one of their most important rituals, the women praise the men, the men thank the women, the young express appreciation for the old, and the old recognize the contributions of the young. Another example is the custom of elaborate greetings whenever one Dogon meets another. This custom is repeated over and over, throughout a Dogon village, all day. During a greeting ritual, the person who has entered the contact answers a series of questions about his or her whole family, from the person who was already there. Invariably, the answer is sewa, which means that everything is fine. Then the Dogon who has entered the contact repeats the ritual, asking the resident how his or her whole family is. Because of the word sewa is so commonly repeated throughout a Dogon village, neighboring peoples have dubbed the Dogon the sewa people.
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