NTAM KESE : SLAVE PLANTATION

FREEING, ATONEMENT, AND HEALING

Copyright By

Kwabena F. Ashanti, Ph.D.

Nana and Okomfo

North Carolina State University

_____________________________________________________________

The Million Man March of October 16, 1995, marked the modern beginning of the Atonement Movement in America. Nearly two million African American men, supported by their women, answered the call of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan's call on that day in Washington, D.C. It has since been declared a Holy Day. This is the first African holiday established without the permission of white leadership. Two years later, on October 25, 1997, African American women also called for a Million Women March in Philadelphia. An estimated two and one quarter million women answered the call. However, The African Centered world view, reveals that the most important people within our experiences in America, have been left out of these atonement processes -- our enslaved African Ancestors.

The Africentric world view, recognizes people that are the living, the dead, and those yet unborn. Two of the essential building blocks of society, theology, and rituals, determined the laws, customs, and taboos for us, the living, to follow and obey. For example, it is taboo to neglect your ancestors. The customs dictate that we must honor, thank, atone, and reconcile with the Ancestors annually. This is because the Ancestors are concerned with the welfare and behavior of the living. Because they live spiritually within the domain of the lesser Gods, when they are displeased with the living, they have the power to punish us. We must avoid punishment. In addition, we must worship the Creator God (Mawu, Nyame, ect.), the lesser Gods, and celebrate with their earthly representatives -- the Nanas or Obas ( kings and Queen Mothers ) of all ranks. These beliefs and rituals therefore serve to promote proper behavior and unity, and to insure the survival and protection of the independence of the people. The atonement, reconciliation, and

responsibility process among the living, from an Africentric perspective, can not be effective, or complete, without atoning and reconciling with our enslaved Ancestors. This process must include sacrifices and libations. Both are powerful forms of prayer. We believe that a sankofa ( return ) to a slave plantation of our Ancestors, would make the Million Man and Women Atonement marches complete in America.

On January 27, 1987, the first incorporated African lettered coed fraternity was organized, by this writer. Africentric philosophy and methodology dictated that we return, to undo the mistakes (Sankofa) made by black Greek lettered sororities and fraternities. As a result, the KEMETIC BENU ORDER ( KBO ) African fraternity was born. Black " Greek " sororities and fraternities are beneficial, in many ways, to its members. They often make great contributions to the campuses, and the black communities. However, these " black Greek " organizations were first created for males in 1906, and for females in 1908. This was long before the advent of Africentricity

( Afrocentricity ) and black self - definition. Unfortunately, they have not changed their names and loyalty from Greeks, to that which they are - Africans.

As an African Centered psychologist, it was easy to see that black Greek lettered organizations were, and are, under the psychological hegemony of white supremacy. The origins of much of the philosophy of white supremacy began in classical European Greece. Classical Greek culture and civilization is considered, by most white scholars, to be intellectually superior to that of black classical Kemet (Egypt). Like the initials KKK, the Confederated flag, and the cross, Greek letters for black fraternities can be viewed as symbolic of white supremacy. Further, Greek people are members of a white ethnic group of Europeans . Black Greek lettered organizations are also members of the Pan-Hellenic Council. The word "Pan" means world wide, and " Hellenic" means characteristic of white Greek history and culture. Thusly, the Pan-Hellenic Council, unintentionally, promotes white supremacy world wide. These organizational members even refer to themselves as "black Greeks". In other words, brainwashing and mis-education disposes them to call themselves "black white people". By definition, if one chooses to be African and Greek at the same time, one becomes "psychologically" biracial, multicultural, or an ambiguous person " ; two worlds, seeking dominance, in one warring soul.

The central elements of KBO, among others, are the re-establishment of the African world view and culture. This is done through identification and implementing the Power Elements of independent nations and communities. I have given these power elements the collective African name, Nyansa Tumi Sankofa System. There are seven building blocks within this system. They are as follows: Race, which produces a Philosophy, which produces an Ideology, that then produces a Theology ( religion), which produces a Culture, which then produces an Ethnic Group, that then produces Rituals, to educate the young, who repeats this cycle, over and over again. The Nyansa Tumi Sankofa System will create power and independence for African peoples. Any powerful social system, regardless of race, is intolerant of, and resists, any foreign or outside racial or ethnic world view from supplanting its own. It extends its power and control of other racial or ethnic groups, by exporting its religion and culture to others it seek to exploit.

It concentrates especially on the children of those it wishes to use, or to oppress, by building schools, mis-educating, and alienating them from their culture. It concentrates on the adults, by introducing missionaries to give religious indoctrination, and building churches to provide economic opportunities. From among these adults, individuals are selected and trained, by the missionaries, to become preachers to lead the masses. These are some of the reasons that in America, and many African countries, preachers are the largest group of black professionals.

In Africa ( Republic of Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, South Africa, ect. ), pictures of a long haired, blue eyed, white male, is presented as God ( Jesus ). They are every where. This is in contrast to America, where the philosophy of Africentricity (Afrocentricity) has caused Jesus to often be portrayed as a black man, or not at all, in the churches. In the USA, this has resulted in blacks rediscovering, and appreciating their African culture. They are even using the Black Heritage Bible. Meanwhile in Africa, the children, and many adults, are losing and disrespecting theirs. There is a relationship between the image that Jesus is shown and the behavior of the people.

In both cases ( Children and adults ), it attempts to destroy the existing social system. This is done by rewarding people to abandon their own religion and culture, and punishing those that do not accept the foreign religion and culture. This is what happened during the enslavement of Africans in the Western world, and the colonial period of Africa. It is still happening, only now blacks are doing it to themselves. This situation is the end product of brainwashing, oppression, and dependence. I believe only the Nyansa Tumi Sankofa System can undo it. This system will provide African substance, instead of African symbolism.

The Kemetic Benu Order ( KBO ) and the black community returned to cursed grounds, a historic slave plantation called Stagville. Stagville was once a 30,000 acre plantation, with over 3,000 African slaves. It is located in Durham, North Carolina, the former heart of the Black bourgeois of America. Stagville has some of the best maintained slave cabins, overseers homes, and the "Big House" mansion in America. Yet, few blacks know of, have ever seen them, or even want to be associated with them.

There would be no black professionals, politicians, wealthy entertainers and athletes, educators, or business owners, had it not have been for the sacrifices and struggles of our enslaved African Ancestors. The pain and shame of slavery has prevented us from honoring them. Yet, it is only because of our enslaved Ancestors, embracing their deep African spirits through unspeakable horrors, that we have many successful people today.

On October 17-18, 1997 we did something historic. We re-introduced a sacred Ancestor ceremony and political unity gathering at Stagville. This event was named Akwasidae Kesee. It is an Akan, especially of the Asante (Ashanti ) ethnic group, new years sacred Ancestor celebration from Ghana, West Africa. It was taught to me by my royal family, former paramount king, and occupant of the Silver Stool of Ashanti, Akuamoah Boateng Ababio, and present sub-king ( Nintinghene ), Kofi Abunyewa I. In addition, the royal orator, and human library, Baafour Akoto, the Queen Mother of Ashanti, Nana Afua Kobi Serwaa Ampem III, and the King of kings of all the Ashantis, Nana Otumfuor Opoku Ware, II, encouraged me. It is a mass event to : honor, express appreciation, to say "Thank you", and to atone and reconcile with the Ancestors. It is also a political gathering of : Nanas

( Kings and Queen Mothers ), Okomfos ( priest healers ), elders, political and community leaders.

We were determined to return to this former plantation where our ancestors were held, for hundreds of years, as Economic Prisoners

( slaves ). We would come from a position of strength, instead of bound and chain weakness. Symbolically, we were going to do something we could not do, a little more than a hundred years ago, to rescue and free our relatives.

We would say thank you, and ask them for blessing and guidance, and to restore our African world view and values. We also planned to show that our history and culture was not a story of "From slavery to Freedom". Instead, our story is one of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. Yesterday, we ruled Classical Kemet ( Egypt ), the Empires of Ghana, Mali, Songhai, Zulu, Yoruba, Dahomey, Zimbabwe, and many others. Yesterday, we served our own African God, Gods, and religions. We wore our African names, practiced African cultures, and rituals. Then Today, we became Economic Prisoners ( slaves ) in the West. Then Today, after our resistance, and civil war between the states, we were liberated of physical enslavement, while remaining in psychological, spiritual, and economic oppression.

The planning for this event occurred over a two month period. We did not have, nor did we seek, any money to observe this sacred ceremony. We were not planning a show, or providing entertainment. We going there to pray and to practice our African culture. Our Ancestors didn't have money; why should we ? We asked people to show their loyalty by providing volunteer services. Professional African drummers, and dancers, for the most part wanted to be paid. Most of them committed to participate, and then did not show up. In this case, they were all symbols of African culture for show and profit, but with no substance. Brainwashing still holds them. Anticipating this attitude and situation, we used audio tapes of African drums on big speakers, along with two live drummers, and dancing by children from two private Africentric schools ; things went just fine.

We invited 10 African American Nanas ( Kings and Queens ) to come dressed in full royal African regalia, along with their royal entourage. They did. Each Nana was lead by an Akan Ancestor Stool. In addition, we had vendors, tents, chairs, and major free media publicity for this event. I was asked to appear on several local radio talk shows, including the nationally syndicated, Tom Pope Show. As a result, several people from Detroit, under the leadership of a woman in a wheel chair, came down to attend. The political component included inviting the Honored Elders. Dr. Jacquelyne J. Jackson, the distinguished Sociologist at Duke University Medical Center, assisted with selecting elected officials, civic leaders, ministers, and community persons, who best represented the qualities we should emulate. Most accepted and attended. The Akwasidae Kesee was organized into two sections. Friday was designed for mostly children and youth, and Saturday for mostly adults and senior citizens. On each day, Alice E. Jones, a scholar of the Stagville Plantation, presented and gave demonstrations of the relationship of this plantation to the people.

The weather was rainy and chilly on the days of the event. We were worried about attendance, and shelter on Saturday. However, we remembered that our enslaved Ancestors had to go out to work, in the rain and cold, with no shoes, to pick cotton. We didn't have to do that. Were we weaker than they ?

We were not asking the " overseer " for permission that morning, instead, we were taking. In my role as Okomfo on the day of the Sacrifice, and the pouring of Libations, as I entered one of the slave cabins, I "saw" the Ancestors. They were sitting there, looking up at me with surprise and tears in their eyes. They were saying ; " Thank you for freeing us ". I was shaken at first. I saw myself sinking, then rising as on an escalator in a trance. Then the vision of them faded. I was there and in Africa. I became a spirit as I prayed at each cabin. Afterward, under the big tree, I offered the blood of a chicken to the Spirits. An African Priest ( Kofi Amakye Maafo ) poured the sacred libation and assisted me with the sacrifice ( chicken ) at these slave cabins.

In my other duties as the Paramount Nana ( King ), I led the whole royal group of kings and queens to occupy the white " Big House " of the once plantation owner. We existed the house, and the Ancestor Stools, along with the royal umbrellas were over the heads of all the Nanas. Each one being announced. We were joined by an official entourage of over 80 people in the procession. We triumphantly walked to the sounds of pulsating African drums, calling the Ancestors. The following parts of the program consisted of introducing the Honored Elders, brief talks by the Nanas, and a presentation on Stagville. This was followed by a lecture on African religion and spirituality, and a speech by the king. Sacred and cultural African dances were performed following the speech. The final special event was the Enstoolment ( installation ) of a new Queen Mother, and king. They took the Sacred Oath. This was officiated by a delegation of individuals from Ghana. On this day our Ancestors blessed us. Our people saw and understood, for the first time, the true connection between the enslaved relatives - Africans and African Americans.

The people also saw African religion ( Abosom, Hebrew, Islam, Orisha, and Vodu ) and rituals for the first time, and were not afraid. In fact, they became empowered and self defined. They confronted their past hurts and physic wounds, and were healed. It prepared our young for the challenge that lies ahead, the hopes of the elders, and those yet born. The various preachers and ministers were supportive, and sought to learn more. We redefined once taboo evil lands ( former slave plantations ) from monuments to white supremacy, to memorials of our strengths and struggles. Remember, without racial and cultural rituals, a people will become powerless, and oppressed by those that do. Jewish people do not let the world forget their concentration camps, and they build holocaust memorials for their people. This is so they will never forget, and will not let it happen again. This gives them power, identity, unity, and respect.

In the same manner, as the slave forts in Africa, we must make former slave plantations in America, our world symbols of NTAM KESE ( Nnn - tam Kay - see ). These Twi Akan words mean : A historical clamity that caused death and great misfortune in the lives of African people. They stir up our national grief. One should not use these words in a common manner. Custom generally requires a sacrifice at the mere reference to it.

Those of us who profess Africentricity must move forward now, from theory to substantive practice. Our external behavior must become consistent with our internal desires. We must move from the stages of identifying and explaining what white people have taken away from us. We must take them back. Whom do you have to ask permission to take back an African first and last name? White people would not keep their imposed African names if they had been freed from slavery by blacks. They would simply select white names, first and last. Learn and take back your African religion, it is coming back fast anyway. Learn and take back your African culture and rituals, before the " Promise Breakers " have you serving theirs more properly. By doing these things your health and wealth will improve. The educational achievements of our youth will soar, crime, drugs, and murders, will drop like rocks in our communities. Yet, our people keep trying the same old remedies to address the ills of our communities. The problems have only become worse.

We must understand that the majority of our people are trained and programmed to reject black experts, and to turn to people outside of our community for advice and leadership. Why is it that, with a few exceptions, most of our African-centered experts are found in white universities, instead of the black ones ? Most of the administrators at black colleges, reject them like Noah was, and will not hire them.

" If black people continue to go to the same

place on the river to get water too often,

they will end up in the belly of the alligator "

Akan Proverb

As mental health professionals, religious leaders, and educators, we do a disservice to our people to not practice what we preach, except at Kwanzaa, or an Afrocentric conference. Sometimes the healers must be healed, and FEAR must be overcome. We must first learn the Psychotechnology of Brainwashing, and how to undo it, for the Africentric Passage. We must use our oral "grapevine" to get the word out. The media will not do it for us. We must become the new type of missionaries. We must become the Definers, not the defined. In many of our institutions and communities, some of the people are like Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, attempting to hide their error and shame behind fig leaf aprons. Their eyes of fear, and psychological blindness, prevents them from seeing the " divide and conquer " tactics used by those who oppress us. Those behind their fig leaves become the first to agree with the oppressors of our freedom. They become our attackers for a few pieces of silver. Some of them are selected and labeled as " public intellectuals " and given mass exposure to speak for us, and are given forums on national white conservative talk shows. Others are known only within the small local ponds they occupy. However, these

" proper Negroes " are popular among whites only. They give credibility to racism.

Why are African centered experts not consulted by those who profess to lead segments of our communities ? It is because of one of two reasons. One, brainwashing prevents them, or two, they fear losing their positions and incomes. Afrocentricity teaches us to define ourselves, see the enemy within, as well as, the enemy outside. Dr. James L. Bevel says that " we must remove from ourselves and from among ourselves anything ( any one ) that causes us to hide wrong and shame ." Those who are hiding behind fig leaves are members of cliques and closed societies. They falsely accuse others of misconduct and divisiveness so that those they, envy or fear, can be replaced by those who will sell their souls and dignity for rewards.

What can we do to off-set these negative things ? We have to identify African - Centered experts at the local and national levels. Exalt them, and raise their status as educators, scholars, business people, politicians, religious leaders, ect. Pay tributes to them and make them heroes. Promote, defend, and protect them. These types of women and men work hard for all of us, with little rewards. These have been our own acts of failure that we now can correct. All other races do these things to promote their viewpoints and strengthen themselves. Now we must do the same.

In our communities, most blacks believe that they have always been westernized Americans, with a " Black culture ". It is not true. So-called black culture is no more than white culture, with a residual African cultural expression to it. They even think that practicing African culture promotes racial separation. Instead, it actually improves race relations. It is only

" Diversity ". They also believe that their family names have always been : Williams, Gates, Crouch, Sowell, Hooks, West, Wilson, Alvarez, or, Michelet. This is the result of being " defined " through mis-education.

Too many others of us have not yet looked upon our en-slaved Ancestors faces. No spiritual encounters, no ritual unveilings have freed us. Our NTAM KESE have not healed yet. We ignore Sankofa and the ancestors at our peril. The site of grievous wounds. Wounds unhealed because untreated. Beneath our consciousness, our lies, self-delusions of " Jack and Jill " and "Cinderella", our distorted history, our denials of racism, our humanitarian disease, lies chaos.

Akwasidae Kesee was a huge success. Almost 600 people came, including 215 children. 45 of these children were white; they came with their white teachers and parents. People came not only from Durham, but other cities in North Carolina as well. The spirit and theme for this Sankofa ( return to your past to find your future ) was for celebration, not anger, sadness, or depression. We said thank you, atoned, reconciled with our enslaved Ancestors, and healed ourselves. It was powerful. One female college student with a serious stuttering problem asked the Ancestors, while at Askwasidae, to stop her from stuttering. She has stuttered very little since. Even a cursed ground can produce a miracle. Gye Nyame ( Fear no one but God ).

Next year we look forward to returning annually to the grounds where our NTAM KESE occurred, so that it will never happen again. I am asking you to locate other sites of our NTAM KESES in your region, and do likewise.

" Even if the rats were the sizes of cows,

they would still be the cats slaves "

Akan proverb

" Will lame men lean on our bones

when vultures end their revels

Or will our dry bones rise again

To fight for the Golden Stool "

Chimalum Nwankwo

Kwabena F. Ashanti, Ph.D. is the author of : Psychotechnology of Brainwashing: Africentric Passage; Rootwwork and Voodoo In Mental Health; and, Empowerment For Black Women. He is a staff counselor at North Carolina State University, and a Scholar of African and African American Studies. He is also a licenced Traditional Healer in the National Association of Traditional Healers, Ghana, West Africa.