Monday, December 29, 2014

Sunday, December 28, 2014

7 Things to do in celebration or observance of Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)

7 Things to do in Ujima:

1. Read/discuss/debate passages from your Holy Book of Guidance that illustrate collective work and responsibility. Here are two of my favs': Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two [are] better than one; because they have a good reward for their labor. Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpen'eth iron; so a man sharpen'eth the countenance of his friend.

2. Clean your house/office/ personal area together.

3. Have that difficult discussion lovingly to heal that emotional-wound.

4. Coordinate and develop a list of chores for the members of your household, organization, fellowship, office.

5. Meet with that person that you and yours have harmed and take responsibility for your collective impact upon that person/entity.

6. Become involved in an activity to improve the appearance of your neighborhood.

7. Donate to a cause collectively with your group of influence.

Happy-Merry Everything,
Brother Seko

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Hidden Colors 3 & Kwanzaa Celebration in Virginia Beach (12-30-2014)

 And then at 6:00 pm at the same location !!!!!!

7 things to do to observe and embodi Kujichagalia (Self Determination)

 
7 things in Kujichagulia !

1. Find yourself in your holy book of guidance.
2. Write 7 "I am..." affirmations.
3. Define what you will accept and allow in your relationships.
4. Design your lifestyle for 7 years in the future....
5. Define standards for you and your immediate family.
6. Define what you will and will not respond to.
7. Attend events and attend to work that defines you.
My family did #2 today. Happy Kujichagulia day of Kwanzaa !

Brother Seko VArner

Friday, December 26, 2014

December 30, 2014 Line Dance with Letitia - Virginia Beach, VA (FREE)


2014 Kwanzaa Events in Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach, Virginia

 
12/26/14 - The Annual Attucks Kwanzaa event
                The AttucksTheatre,
                Norfolk, Virginia
                06:00 pm - 08:00 pm
                FREE
 
12/28/14 - Essence Book Club's Kwanzaa event
                Chesapeake Indian River Library
                2320 Old Greenbrier Road, Chesapeake
               11:00 am - 04:00 pm 
                FREE
 
12/30/14 - Kuumba Fest 2014!
                Father 1st Fruits Kwanzaa Celebration
                Boys & Girls Club of Virginia Beach, VA
                 1505 Competitor Court,  Virginia Beach, VA 23453
                6:00 - 9:00 pm - FREE
       http://happilyeverafter.be/fathers1stfruits.html
       A $2 voluntary donation is appreciated !

Hidden Colors & FREE Photos & The I Am Me Project 12/30/14 Virginia Beach, VA









12/30/14 Virginia Beach, VA - FREE Family, Friends, and Solo photos from R2Z Photography


7 things to do in Umoja - Brother Seko Varner on Kwanzaa's 1st day

7 Things to do in Umoja - by Brother Seko Varner

1) Take a family/group/couple photo.
2) Work on a community volunteer project as a family or community.
3) Apologize to a family member or neighbor you harmed.
4) Accept the apology of a family member who harmed you.
5) Cook a family meal together, as a family, and eat together.
6) Do something fun, as a family. (Go see a conscious or fun movie)
7) Pray together to maintain unity as a family, community, nation, and race.


Umoja = (Transliteration) To strive for and maintain Unity as a family, community, nation, and race.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

December 25th - Christ-mess Unwrapped



Hotep Brothers and Sisters,

Many of us have been raised to believe, as an article of the Christian religion, that Jesus Christ was born on December 25th, or Christmas day. But, not many of us are aware of the ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) origins of the December 25th religious festival, or what it truly represents, and the fact that it has nothing to do with the Christian religion, or Christmas. In fact, December 25th, is not, nor has it ever been, the birthday of the Christian god, Jesus Christ!
The verifiable historical facts surrounding the 25th. of December are as follows:
“In Egypt (Kemet) three thousand years ago, the birthday of the Sun-god (Ra) was celebrated in the temples on the 25th of December; it was the first day to lengthen obviously after December 21st (typically the shortest day of the year) the day of the Winter Solstice.”1 {Please understand that the ancient Kemites (Egyptians) have always believed in one Supreme “God”, as they have stated in their Book of the Coming Forth From Darkness Unto Light, written in revised state 6,000 years ago. Nevertheless, they believed that the spirit of life from the Creator existed in all things, and they therefore honored this manifestation of the Creator’s life-force (spirit) in the Sun, which they called Ra}.
“At the midnight hour, on the very first minute of the 25th of December, the birth of the Sun was commemorated.”1 (Beginning on the 21st , the period of sunlight in each day increased, thus the Sun appeared to have been “born” again from the short periods of daylight in the preceeding months.)
“At this time the Sun was in the zodiacal sign Capricorn, which was known as the Stable, so the infant Sun was said to have been born in a stable. Shining brightly on the meridian was Sirius (the Star from the East); while rising in the East was Virgo (the Virgin), the line of the horizon passing through her center. To the right of Sirius was Orion with three stars in his belt. These stars lie in a... line and point toward Sirius, and in ancient times they were known as The Three Kings. We meet them in the (Christian) gospels as The Three Wise Men, or Magi.1.
(Text shown in brackets, parenthesis or underlined is mine throughout)
This accounts for the origin of the Sun festival in ancient Kemet (Egypt) on the 25th of December, but how did this festival get translated into Christmas, or the Christian event called the birth of Jesus Christ?
“The birth of Jesus Christ has been set at Christmas... But up to the fourth century, the birth of the Christian Savior was celebrated on the sixth of January.2.
“Certain it is that the winter solstice, which (was)... assigned to the twenty-fifth of December, was celebrated in antiquity [by the ancient Kemites (Egyptians)] as the birthday of the sun, and that festal lights or fires were kindled on this joyous occasion. (The) Christian festival is. . .a continuation (corruption) under a Christian name of this old solar festivity; for the ecclesiastical authorities saw fit, about the end of the third or beginning of the fourth century, arbitrarily to transfer the nativity of Christ from the sixth of January to the twenty-fifth of December, for the purpose of diverting to their Lord the worship (recognition) which the (ancient Kemites) paid on that day to the Sun.” 3. As an aside, Christmas celebration on the 6th of January was also known as the “old Christmas.”
But who were these “ecclesiastical authorities”?
“Pope Julius I (fourth century) fixed December 25th as the birthday of Christ, but we know that Christ had no vital statistics, no one knows when (or if) the date of his birth. What could have inspired Pope Julius I to choose that date... unless it be the Egyptian tradition perpetuated by the Roman calendar? This becomes evident when the idea of a tree is associated with the birth of Christ. That would seem arbitrary if we did not know that Osiris (Asr, whose birthday was December 26th) was the (deity) of vegetation. Sometimes he was even painted green in the image of that vegetation, whose rebirth he symbolized. His symbol was a tree with cut branches set up to announce the resurrection of... life. Such then could be the remote origin of the Christmas tree. Once again we see, on retracing the course of time, that more than one feature of western civilization... loses its enigmatic (puzzling) character when linked with its... African source.” 4.
Further, “the Nativity itself is an Egyptian import. In the Temple of Amon (A-men) at Luxor (in Egypt,”Waset”) first built around 1700 BCE (Before the Current Era), there is a panel of four vignettes (carved in stone) depicting the birth of the infant pharaoh.” 5.
The Temple scenes show all of the essential elements of the ancient Kemetic (Egyptian) birth of the infant pharaoh, which would, 1700 years later be unfaithfully copied by the Christian event called Christmas. The scenes show:
- the announcement of the impending birth by Thoth, the messenger, of the Creator to the Mother-To-Be named Mut-em-ua, which means mother of one to come to rule over Kemet (Egypt). Christians call this the Annunciation;
- the holding of the Sacred Ankh (the ancient Kemetic symbol of Divine Life) to the mouth of the Mother-To-Be, called The Immaculate Conception;
- the Mother sitting on the birthing chair next to her Royal Child; The Birth;
- the Heavenly Host of the Kemetic pantheon gathering around the Child to pay homage, and the Three Divine Personnages offering gifts to the new born Child, called the Adoration of the Child.
You can travel to Egypt today and see these scenes for yourself, as I have done. Remember, these scenes were carved into the walls over 1700 years before the Christian event called the birth of Christ! 

We have seen and documented how all of the components of the ancient Kemetic spiritual festival including the date (December 25th), the Stable, the Star in the East, the Virgin Mother, the Three Kings, the Tree and Lights, gift-giving, and all of the elements of what is called the Nativity, have been stolen and corrupted by western culture from their original meanings to an event called Christmas! 

Further, western culture/racism/white supremacy has used our own forgotten traditions to cause us to dishonor our own history, and our ancestors, ourselves, and our ancient conceptions of The Creator! As Dr. Marimba Ani said, “The deep spirituality that we have inherited from the Motherland encourages us to practice a religion that demeans our heritage.” 6
 
This is true! As an Afrikan proverb says, “The higher the monkey (western culture) climbs into the tree, the more he shows his ass.”

One of the most destructive things done to the Afrikan by European colonization is that, "they colonized the Image of God. (but) With this knowledge we can change the world, if first we change ourselves. -Dr. John Henrik Clarke 

SHM HTP! (May You Go In Peace) 
Kwasi Imhotep (kwa708@aol.com) 

REFERENCES:
Jackson, John G. “Introduction to African Civilizations”
Jackson, John G. “Christianity Before Christ”
Fraser, Sir James George. “The Golden Bough”
Diop, Cheikh Anta. “The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality”
Finch, Charles S. III, MD. “Echoes of the Old Dark Land”
Ani, Marimba “Let the Circle Be Unbroken-The Implications of African Spirituality In the Diaspora”

Saturday, December 20, 2014

Dec. 30th - Hidden Colors #3 and Kuumba Fest (Kwanzaa Celebration)

 And then at 6:00 pm at the same location !!!!!!

Winter Solstice - Kemetic Observance and Purpose

Solstice and Equinox Cycles


Hotep Brothers and Sisters,

The Ancient Kemetians (Egyptians), your ANKHcestors, observed the astrological and universal movement of the stars, moon and the sun.  They understood that if these same forces had such a profound effect on the natural forces on the earth, they must exert that same energy and force to our beings mind, body and soul since we all were created from the same universal "ALL."

On December 22nd, the Sun reaches its farthest point in the southern hemisphere as it travels on its yearly journey from north to south.  It is at this point and only at this point that the Sun theoretically becomes still or (Dies) for 3 days (Dec 22-25).  At 12 midnight on Dec 25th the Sun (is Born) and begins its northern journey; actually moving 1 degree per minute.

In Kemet (Egypt) they called this astronomical act ... The rising or elevation of Heru/Asar (Sun) the anointed KRST.


Also, during this time the new moon is also born on this 3rd day.  The new moon on the Winter Solstice has been observed for thousands of years; before the Solar Age of the Sun.  The 'Crescent' stage of the new moon takes the shape of an 'Ark.'  

Metaphorically, the Sun (Heru, the Son of Ausar and Auset born of immaculate conception) rising on the midnight hour of December 25th (Winter Solstice) rose inside of this Ark.

Also, on the predawn of December 25th the three stars of Asar (Osiris - Greek) -AKA- Orions belt, directly align with the 'star of the East' (SepDet -AKA- Sirius) on an angle that points directly to the Sun as the Sun (Son) rises on the morning of December 25th.  December 25th is the "shortest or smallest" day of the year.  It is for this reason that the Sun, metaphorically (Heru the Son) was born an "infant" or smallest individual.



Spiritually, the winter solstice is a time of rebirth or refocus on the past in order to strengthen the future.  It is a time of refocus on purpose of purification, procreation and the proliferation of life.  It's also a time to recognize opposition energy that exist inside and outside our lives and strategize to eliminate these opposition energies.

So ... brothers and sisters...truly overstand and get a grip of what this time of the year is truly about and learn how to nourish your mind, body and spirit to truly cultivate success within your person.  Our ANKHcestors didn't create the greatest civilization in the world without direct understanding of Self and the Universe.  Connect yourself with the "All" and the "All" will energize your Mind, Body and Spirit more than you can ever imagine.

Ankh, Snb, Uja
Asar Maa Ra Gray

"Every Man and Woman has two educations, that which is given to him or her, and the other that which he or she gives himself."
    Carter G. Woodson

AlkeNatuals - Winter Solstice Special (Order Today)


It's almost time for the Winter Solstice.  Start your new year off right with a new body.  
Order one of AlkeNaturals Detox packages today !
 Sale Ends on Dec 31, 2014

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

AlkeNaturals - 2014 Winter Solstice Detox Special


It's almost time for the Winter Solstice.  Start your new year off right with a new body.  
Order one of AlkeNaturals Detox packages today !
 Sale Ends on Dec 31, 2014

 
 

Monday, December 15, 2014

Hampton Virginia: Ile Nago Monthly Fellowship: December 21, 2014 at 2pm

To: Ile Nago <ilenago@gmail.com>



Blessing and Greetings,
 
Please note that we will be gathering at Ile Nago on Sunday, December 21 at 2pm for our "Monthly Sunday Fellowship".
 
Sunday Fellowship is Ile Nago's monthly community gathering where we greet and honor the Ancestors and the Orisha and then openly share and discuss learnings about spirit and our traditions. This is a learning group where we can actively grow and build community.
 
Afterwards, we socialize by sharing a meal over casual conversation and laughter. This fellowship lasts into the evening.
 
***Please bring a dish or drink to share if you are able.
 
All of good faith and intention are welcome. You are welcome to bring a friend.
 
RSVP is not necessary but is appreciated.
 
Members of the Ile donate a monthly dues of $10 for the Ile maintenance, supplies, upkeep, and event planning. Friends and Guests of the Ile are asked to consider donating an offering when they attend an Ile event, but it is not required.
 
2108 Shell Road, Hampton, VA 23661
 
 
Consider Joining the Ile Nago Facebook Page:
  
For updated information about the upcoming Fellowship, RSVP on Facebook:


Saturday, December 13, 2014

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Colonialisms Mandate - Enslaving the Black Mind

A speech by King Leopald told to missionaries headed to Africa..." Teach the niggers to forget their African Gods ....


Letter From King Leopold II to Colonial Missionaries Heading to Africa, 1883

AFRICANGLOBE – Below is a letter written in 1883 by King Leopold II of Belgium to Belgian Christian missionaries being sent to Congo. These  Christian missionaries would eventually become the spearhead of Belgian colonialism only to be followed by Belgian traders and lastly the Belgian army.
Reverends, Fathers and Dear Compatriots:

The task that is given to fulfill is very delicate and requires much tact. You will go certainly to evangelize, but your evangelization must inspire above all Belgium interests. Your principal objective in our mission in the Congo is never to teach the n!ggers to know God, this they know already. They speak and submit to a Mungu, one Nzambi, one Nzakomba, and what else I don’t know.

They know that to kill, to sleep with someone else’s wife, to lie and to insult is bad. Have courage to admit it; you are not going to teach them what they know already. Your essential role is to facilitate the task of administrators and industrials, which means you will go to interpret the gospel in the way it will be the best to protect your interests in that part of the world. For these things, you have to keep watch on dis-interesting our savages from the richness that is plenty [in their underground. To avoid that, they get interested in it, and make you murderous] competition and dream one day to overthrow you.

Your knowledge of the gospel will allow you to find texts ordering, and encouraging your followers to love poverty, like “Happier are the poor because they will inherit the heaven” and, “It’s very difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.” You have to detach from them and make them disrespect everything which gives courage to affront us. I make reference to their Mystic System and their war fetish – warfare protection – which they pretend not to want to abandon, and you must do everything in your power to make it disappear.

Your action will be directed essentially to the younger ones, for they won’t revolt when the recommendation of the priest is contradictory to their parent’s teachings. The children have to learn to obey what the missionary recommends, who is the father of their soul. You must singularly insist on their total submission and obedience, avoid developing the spirit in the schools, teach students to read and not to reason.

There, dear patriots, are some of the principles that you must apply. You will find many other books, which will be given to you at the end of this conference. Evangelize the n!ggers so that they stay forever in submission to the White colonialists, so they never revolt against the restraints they are undergoing. Recite every day – “Happy are those who are weeping because the kingdom of God is for them.”

The letter which follows is Courtesy of Dr. Vera Nobles and Dr. Chiedozie Okoro.

Letter from King Leopold II of Belgium to Colonial Missionaries, 1883.

Convert always the Blacks by using the whip. Keep their women in nine months of submission to work freely for us. Force them to pay you in sign of recognition-goats, chicken or eggs-every time you visit their villages. And make sure that n!ggers never become rich. Sing every day that it’s impossible for the rich to enter heaven. Make them pay tax each week at Sunday mass.

Use the money supposed for the poor, to build flourishing business centres. Institute a confessional system, which allows you to be good detectives denouncing any Black that has a different consciousness contrary to that of the decision-maker.

Teach the n!ggers to forget their heroes and to adore only ours. Never present a chair to a Black that comes to visit you. Don’t give him more than one cigarette.

Never invite him for dinner even if he gives you a chicken every time you arrive at his house.

“The above speech which shows the real intention of the Christian missionary journey in Africa was exposed to the world by Mr. Moukouani Muikwani Bukoko, born in the Congo in 1915, and who in 1935 while working in the Congo, bought a second hand Bible from a Belgian priest who forgot the speech in the Bible. – Dr. Chiedozie Okoro

Africans Should Note:

1] that all missionaries carried out, and still carry out, that mandate. We are only lucky to
have found King Leopold’s articulation of the aim of all Christian imperialist missionaries to Africa.

2] Even the African converts who today manage the older churches in Africa (the priests, bishops, Archbishops, Cardinals etc of the Roman and Protestant sects), and especially also those who evangelize Born-Again Christianity, still  serve the same mandate. Which is why they demonize African gods and Anglicize African names, and drop the names of African deities which form part of African names; and still attack and demolish the African shrines that have managed to survive, e.g. Okija.

3] Those Africans who voluntarily converted to Christianity  before the colonial conquest such as Affonso I of the BaKongo in the 15th century probably did not discern the purpose of the brand of Christianity that was supplied to them. Which was probably why they fell easy prey to the missionaries and the White traders and pirates who followed them.

But their Japanese counterparts probably did discern the game, even without access to some version of Leopold’s letter. But even if the Japanese Shoguns did not intuit what Leopold makes explicit, they clearly realized the danger of Japanese converts to Christianity forming a fifth column within Japanese society and state, a fifth column loyal to their co-religionists in Europe.

Asar Maa Ra Gray

"It's Ok Not to Know, It's a Shame Not to Want to know"
  Dr. Clarke

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

The Black Candle - FREE Showing Dec. 14th in Norfolk, Va.


 Free showing of ....The Black Candle on December 14, 2014 @ Pretlow Anchor Library 111 W. Ocean View Ave. Norfolk, Va. From 2-4pm...757 441-1750....bring the family to view this Kwanzaa documentary. Narrated by the late Maya Angelou.......for questions please call 757 6450 8942.