It may have been noted that the terms 'Jegna' and 'Mentor' have been used in describing our program. Some culturally concerned scholars have advanced the term Jegna when describing our activities. While The Golden Fold describes our movement as a Jegna, we may still use the term Mentorship to aid those who are unaware of the roots of the term 'mentor' or those who are not concerned with the roots of the term as opposed to it's current use.
Jegna is an Ethiopian (Amharic) word that means "a very brave person who is a protector of a culture, the rights of his or her people and their land." A jegna is more than a "leader." She or he is someone who is not afraid to speak truth to power, is uncompromised, full of integrity and at the very core of his or her being sees the welfare and protection of their people as paramount. They are literally prepared to die for the community they represent. It refers to those who are altruistically commited, out of an unqualified duty to their people and nation, to teach our children the art an science of a politically concscious adulthood.
Jegna (Jenoch, plural form) are those special people who have (1) been tested in struggle or battle (2) demonstrated extraordinary and unusual fearlessness, (3) shown determination and courage in protecting her/her peoples, land and culture, (4) shown diligence and dedication to our people, (5) produced an exceptionally high quality of work, and (6) have dedicated themselves to the protection, defense, nurturance and developement of our young by advancing our people. place, and culture.
-Wade W. Nobles ("From Na Ezaleli to the Jenoch")
Mentor is derived from the mythical Greek character Mentor who Odysseus left to care for and educate his son Telemachus in his absence. As was the reported culture in ancient Greek society, and as was the relationship between Mentor & Telemachus, a significant part of his role as a teacher and guardian (mentor) was to become physically intimately involved with the male boy. Those who distance themselves from the term 'Mentor' do so to distance themselves the aspect of the historical term 'Mentor' which would be considered today to be male-on-male statutory rape.
The Golden Fold Movement serves boys aged 11 – 17 as mentees and males aged 18 – 23 as movement interns by providing seminar based guidance activities in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Participants enjoy a structured, supervised Jegna (mentoring) relationship with men of the community who have guidance, and life experiences to share with the youth. We employ a Bonding-Presentation-Guidance model in most sessions. Contact: thegoldenfold @ yahoo (dot) com or call/text message 757-353-7008.
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Sunday, October 23, 2011
Re: [T.G.F.] Jegna or Mentorship ?
I also would like to point out that, in many west Afrikan countries, it is current and accepted practice to refer to older/married men and women as "Uncles/Aunts/Aunties". This practice likely stems from the cultural tradition that I mentioned previously of the
"male-mother" (mother's brother or Uncle) and the "female-father" (father's sister or Aunt/Auntie) who played a very major role in rearing/guiding/initiating young children in many west Adrikan cultures. It was the "male-mothers" (Uncle), not the biological father, who was primarily responsible for the Initiation (Rites of Passage) which transformed the young boys into the status of men with all of the rights, privileges and obligations thereof in the village. Similarly, it was the "female-fathers" who taught and guided the young girls the things they needed to know and understand in order to be transformed into adult women in the village setting.
I use those terms "Uncle/Aunt/Auntie" frequently when addressing indigenous Afrikans that I meet on the continent, or in restaurants, cultural affairs, etc. and I have never been frowned on for doing so. I also may point out that even the euros, many times, referred to older Afrikan captives as "Uncles/Aunts", instead of the customary derogative terms "boy/girl". (see the book, "Deep Like The Rivers"). Tis custom still survives as evidenced by products such as "Uncle Ben's Rice" or "Aunt Jemima Pamcakes".
Many of use refer to each other today as "Brother/Sister" even though we may not be direct blood relatives, but we are recognizing each other as extended family members. Similarly, for the current west Afrikan use of "Uncle/Aunt/Auntie" who traditionally were the primary agents in rearing/guiding/initiating young children. This is a significant point that community members. we need to keep in mind when we use those terms to refer to non-direct blood
With this historical background, it would be in keeping with our west Afrikan cultural norms to use the term "Uncle/Aunt/Auntie" instead of the Greek-derived "mentor" in your organizational setting. Also, it may be easier for the children to grasp the way the terms "Uncle/Aunt/Auntie" is being used in your organization, than it would be to use the term "Jegna". But, that reason alone should not be a major factor, because I firmly believe we need to educate our selves and especially our children about Afrikan-derived words and language..
Finally, the above is only a suggestion; I'm sure you will use your own best judgment to determine which way forward.
Htp,
Kwasi
In a message dated 10/22/2011 1:01:05 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, thegoldenfold@yahoo.com writes:
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