12 month Calendar, Afrika's gift to the world

It is estimated that, as early as 300 BC, the Borana/Oromo people of the upper Nile, in today's Ethiopia, had a highly advanced 12 month calendar, based on a sophisticated system of astronomy. The ability to create and interpret the calendar was the domain of specialists known as the Ayantu.  See links below:

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oromo_people

http://ardajila.com/?page_id=561

Awori Achoka


awori.achoka@gmail.com

Afrika, a youthful hidtorical continent

A draft concept note articulating the vision and purpose of a proposed African Youth Caravan to commemorate the 50th anniversary  of the African Union (AU),  in May 2014,describes Afrika as the "most youthful continent in the world". The AU states that at least 60 per cent of the  continent's one billion population is between the ages of 15 and 35. 

However, the document, like many contemporary documents on the continent's present and future, fail to mention or event refer to Afrika's rich historical and cultural heritage. A picture is created of this wonderful youthful continent--that has seemingly "dropped" from the sky---no history, no culture.

We call on those behind the wonderful idea of an Afrikan Youth Caravan, to include as a matter of priority, exhibitions, discussions and talks  on the continent's history and cultural heritage.

Viva Afrika!

Steal her genes through forced enslavement; throw strange germs and diseases at her; use the gun and deceit to rob her of her nationhood and resources; rob her of her history, religion and heritage---the mother continent survives. Why? Because of the indestructible power that lies in her diversity. Long live, mother Afrika!

A heritage of world beaters

The world's elite sporting events---are turning out to be nothing but a display of the prowess and depth of Afrika's sporting heritage. Watching the Afro-heritage line up of world conquering female athletes, during the women's 100 meters finals in Moscow--was a jaw dropping experience.  

Afrika should reclaim the Nile Heritage

Let us get it right. Human civilization (the Garden of Eden if you wish) began at the source of the Nile, it grew, developed and spread along the Nile basin up to the river's delta at its mouth on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. What is referred to as Egypt, in ancient history essentially refers to the land of the Nile. It is important to note that, in ancient Africa, regions and distant lands, were identified or defined by their geographical features or the type of peoples who occupied those lands.

The term Egyptians just like Hebrews, does not denote a particular tribal group---but a people of who owe their ancestry to the Nile Basin (my own definition). These were peoples from differing ethno-cultural backgrounds and civilizations---but who traded, intermarried and competed for political power within the spheres of influence along the River's Basin. This intercultural dynamism, took place in the zone along the River's basin, from her source in East Africa to her Mouth in the North.

Just as Nubian cultures of the Nile influenced their Neighbors in bordering lands, beyond the Mediterranean Sea, so did those cultures also influence the civilizations of the region.

How will modern Afrika rediscover, re-evaluate, re-value and reclaim, her Nile heritage? We have to begin by mounting continuous scientific, historical and expeditions---from the source to the Mouth of the river.