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By Metimaat, on February 14th, 2010
The concept of Kuumba, creativity, means to do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.
The founder of Kwanzaa, Dr. Maulana Karenga, incorporated this term as part of the seven Kwanzaa principles. In evaluating the definition of Kuumba, there are many questions that should be answered before one can begin to become creative, such as: What is the goal of the community? When this question is answered, one can begin to focus on what needs to be done in order to benefit to community.
 The majesty of Kemetic creative expression is unmatched by today’s standards but it is the values and concepts upheld by these expressions that set them apart from the meaningless expressions of modern culture. A community needs cohesion in order to be successful at achieving a common goal. Although African Americans have similar skin color, it should not be assumed that everyone shares the same goal. Within the history of African Americans we can see how those of similar backgrounds share similar experiences, yet formulate different goals. In this regard, even today, different people expect the same community to develop towards their respective goal. One person may have a goal similar to that of Booker T. Washington which was the idea that blacks need to learn trades, accept jobs given to them by the governing class of citizens, and accept racial superiority. Another person may have a goal similar to that of W.E.B. DuBois which was the pursuit of academic excellence and political power for black citizens. Yet another person with a goal similar to Marcus Garvey who was interested in getting everyone of African ancestry together (I’m not sure what they were suppose to do). Still another person with a goal similar to that of Elijah Muhammad who focused on education and the “resurrection” of the black man and woman. And maybe another person with a goal similar to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who advocated integration as a form of racial equality.
Continue reading Kuumba: A Guide for Our Creativity
By Baheru, on February 14th, 2010
 Traditional cultures have an age old history of producing high quality individuals, strong families and tight-knit communities as shown in these photos. Unfortunately, increasing numbers of traditional people are being drawn to the glamour of modern culture at the cost of the values that define them
Through extensive investigation and analysis, history has revealed that most native people of any land, regardless of location, were able to survive for centuries because they had a system set in place that worked. Protecting which is of value, such as culture and tradition, entails a level of responsibility and commitment in order to maintain harmony. Whether it was in relation to the spiritual (non-material) or practical (material) world, they were able to adapt to their environment, regardless of its internal or external conditions. Despite their struggles, they were successful at preserving their values while living in harmony with the existence. If we assess these once stable and powerful cultures today, we will find that most no longer exist.
The conditioning that we have may immediately lead us to “believe” that traditional lifestyle is backwards, for savages, and that it is more comfortable to live life in the way the modern system has constructed it. These are some of the stereotypes that those who are trying to preserve traditional culture are faced with. We have to understand that in order for any culture that has ever existed to go from great splendor to squalor and ruins, it must have been influenced by either internal or external forces.In M’TAM, (the oldest initiatic education known to mankind), we are taught that a structure is only as strong as the people who uphold it. A society of highly developed individuals is necessary for achieving the goal of having a stable structure. For tens of thousands of years, the Kemetic structure (commonly known as Egyptian by the modern world) has given the world a model to follow for all aspects of life. The cultures that followed the Kemetic spiritual model were able to maintain themselves.
Highly developed people with the same collective goals are what make a harmonious society. The Kemetic structure is very demanding and requires those that follow it to be morally upright. From the Pharaoh to the commoner, everyone was expected to exemplify the Kemetic structure, because they all had the same objectives, which were to constantly improve their human qualities with the goal of building a world that resembled the divine world. This wasn’t just some notion, it was a reality.
Continue reading Preserving Traditional Culture
By Imy, on February 14th, 2010
I think of Kwanzaa and I think of the great things it represents for our community, and then I think of our ancestors and the greatest of the communities of ancient times. These communities have not been rivaled in their splendor or compassion in the modern era.
 Monuments such as this obelisk and the pyramids (below) are still a mystery to our modern culture. The meanings behind them and the methods used to construct them are still topics of debate, but the secrets behind them may only be revealed to those who honestly return to their culture.
The Seven Principles of Kwanzaa are linked to our past and are stepping stones to reclaiming not just our dignity but also our greatness. For the first time in literally thousands of years, we have a chance to conquer our pride and take back our cultural values that were once shared by everyone in the world that were known to be good or “on the side of Ra.”
Dr. Maulana Karenga has earned his place in history as one of the individuals responsible for our survival of the holocaust of slavery. His name is mentioned along with those of Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. We thank our heroes for helping us to survive, now it’s time for us to take up the struggle to thrive.
Continue reading Kujichagulia: Self-Determination in the Colonial World
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The Sidereal Calendar
Year 410
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Philosphy Podium
Volume 1:
A Dogon Perspective
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