SANKOFA TUMI HOLY DAYS
FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS
Sankofa Tumi (Sank -O- fa Tu - me) are
West African words meaning "return to power. " These words are
taken from the Twi language of the Akan (Asante) of Ghana. This area, formerly
known as the Gold Coast, contributed heavily to the African American
population. This Sankofa Tumi celebration
is designed for people of African heritage as non-denominational sacred religious holy days. It pays tribute to our
Creator, Gods, Ancestors, and religions. It is also a time we honor our enslaved ancestors in America, and to
return to the wisdom, values, morals, and sacred rituals of our fore parents.
It is a time that we renew ourselves, and undo our mistakes (sankofa) of the
past year. We instill into our children, and those yet to be born, their
African identity and great potentialities. When your children ask you,
" What do you mean by this service?" you shall say, " It is the
remembrance and sacrifice of God, and the Lesser Gods, for sparing our
ancestors to live during the Middle Passage from Africa and enslavement in
America."
Sankofa Tumi is celebrated for nine (9) days, beginning at
sundown on September 11. During this time the communities come together in
unity to praise the Creator, assess their inner spirituality, celebrate the
progress of the past year, and to plan for the coming year.
2.
At sundown, on each September
11, the sacred symbols and decorations are placed and arranged. The required
symbols or objects are the Sankofa bird,
the Akan Ancestor Stool, and a Kente Cloth. The bird is called Sankofa (Sank-o-fa), the stool is
called Adwa (ah.jwa), and the kente
cloth is called Nsaa (Un-saa ). The
Sankofa, and the Adwa, sits on the Nsaa Alter (table). This time shall be for you a
memorial period, and you shall keep and observe it through out your
generations. You shall observe it as a commandment forever.
You can order these official required sacred symbols,
directly from Africa ( Ghana ), through Nana
(king) Kwabena F. Ashanti. The address is TONE BOOKS, INC., 5119 Lansdowne
Drive, Durham, North Carolina, 27712. The Fax number is (919) 309-1088, phone-
(919) 383-5941. I should not have to tell you to buy from those that look like
you.
3.
THE SACRED DAYS
** For nine days no pork shall be
found in your houses. You shall eat no pork.
Afri Hyen (Ah. fre. Sheng). This day is set to remember the unprecedented events
of our African ancestors being torn and taken away from Africa on slave ships
to America. It symbolizes the courage and resistance of our people.
Gye Nyame (Gee Um-yah-mee). The omnipotence, and immortality of the Supreme
Being. God is everywhere and I fear no one except God. On this day you shall
hold a holy assembly .
Babadua (Ba.ba.due.ah). Symbolizes spiritual protection, growth, and personal
healing.
Abusua Kro Ye (Ah. bou.see.ah Kro. Ye). We
are family. Symbolizes our family unity even in our diversity (physical, color,
class, beliefs).
Ntam Kese (Nnm. tam Ka.sea.ea). A great
calamity of death, grief, oppression, and misfortune, caused by our
enslavement. A time to call for and demand Reparations.
Akoben
(Ah. ko. ben). A call to action, readiness, and volunteerism. Symbolizes self
defense, political vigilance, economic unity, and spiritual bravery.
4.
Ntabon
(Nun. ta. bon). Represents unity, perseverance, achievement, productivity, and
progress in the coming year.
Adwa Fofo (Ah.jwa. Foo.foo). The stool and seeds. Represents welcome, hospitality,
and warning against false accusations, gossip, and jealously. A day of
atonement.
Sika Futoro (Seka. Fu.to.ro). Gold dust. Symbolizes royalty, our desires for
wealth, elegance, economic achievements, and honorable behavior. On this day
you shall hold a holy assembly.
I am asking all of the
members of the Sankofa Nation to join us in celebrating our very own HOLY DAYS.