Showing posts with label Black Pete. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Black Pete. Show all posts

Friday, June 6, 2014

Colonial Mentality

 

I have always been inspired by the music and the open candor of Fela Kuti.  He shared an episode, where he was checked about his colonized attitudes and schooled about human Rights and Black Empowerment. She taught him that his put downs about his African superiority had to be balanced by how far removed he was about his own original cultural connection to the Ancestors and how much he has assimilated to his European Colonizer. As Fela was receptive to her self awareness, he had an epiphany that challenged his thinking throughout his music career. Here is an excerpt from one of his many biographies...


"While in America, Fela met an African American woman named, Sandra Izsadore, a political activist and close friend of prominent members of the Black Panthers, who was to be a big influence on his thinking. She introduced Fela to the writings of Malcolm X, Eldridge Cleaver, and others through which he became aware of the link existing between Black peoples all over the world. With this insight, Fela also gained a clearer understanding of his mother’s fight for the rights of Africans under colonial rule in Nigeria, together with her support of the Pan Africanist doctrine expounded by Kwame Nkrumah, the Ghanaian head of state, who had negotiated independence for his country with the British."


This is the reality check for all colonized and invaded nations and those who are the freedom fighters to de-colonized the minds of our people of color, who are fighting for freedom all over the planet...
The Truth is, Black People were the FIRST to inhabit Europe! WE were the original Druids and the Le Pr Ra Khans! We built Stonehenge, before the Isfit came as cannibal pathological invaders, bringing their plagues to become the Jew-Gypsy thieves, perpetrators and culture bandits of our Way of life, expert knowledge, symbols and Colors! Red, White and Blue- Stands for the Trinity- Heru, Ausar and Auset!
Imperialism still has a stranglehold on the populations of people of color of this world and the destruction of the environment.


The deeper issues are between mentality and belief systems. You have Colonized Assimilationist, Fundamentalists vs Free thinking Afrikan Centered, vs Niggas. After AIDS, our people are now killing themselves in the Motherland over these adopted fundamental philosophies of their colonial invaders. This is the same pervasive divide and conquer syndrome happening all over the world. The media still presents the Bling-Bling sagging-Niggas or (neo-coonz) with the “hoochi mama” as the Stereotypes of the “Akata”. In Afrika, and the U.S., you have Fundamentalist one-up-manship of writhing on the floor, speaking in tongues, Mega Churches with their witch hunts, and Jihad Fundamentalist witch hunts, featuring Torture and chaining Pregnant Mothers to the floor to give birth- because they refuse to renounce their Imperialist, fundamentalist Christian beliefs! Yet Africans want to Imitate and model the media hyped “Niggas and Bs” standards, with their perms, weaves, cosmetics and other consumerisms- sayin “ Twerking comes from Afrika” Samuel Jackson’s Character said it best- about the contributions of U.S. Blacks… The standard that they love to hate…

Thomas Sankara was one of the great revolutionaries who took on the power struggle of Imperialism. We are counting on our youth to pickup the baton of global revolution.
http://www.redpepper.org.uk/thomas-sankara-an-african-leader-with-a-message-for-europe/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Sankara


http://nuta-ankh.blogspot.com/2009/09/house-nigroes.html


http://amen-parankh.blogspot.com/2014/02/ancient-origins-of-leprechauns-black.html











Amen Par Ankh (Sacred House of Life) and Amen Ankh Urban Farm; is a local Urban Farm nestled around a Spiritual Outreach and Education Center in the heart of midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Contact Us and become a member, as We Celebrate the Cycles of Life! Email: amen.parankh@gmail.com , or amen.ankh@live.com, to sign-up for courses and support: http://www.gofundme.com/amen-urban-farm , information:  http://amen-parankh.blogspot.com/ , Look for us on Twitter & LinkedIn. We Celebrate the Cycles of Life, Wellness and Balance in our everyday existence on earth. We assist in Wellness for Physical Fitness, Mental Health, and Spiritual Attunement - to realize the fullest capacities of life, health, prosperity and strength. We provide Whole Life Coaching, Energy work, A Par Ankh Reading Room, Org-Ankh Electric food Boxes, an Herbal Tea House & Juice bar, Outdoor Experiences, classes such as Cultural Headwrapping, Natural Hair oils, beading and Lox twisting, Cosmetics, and Herbal products. We offer Classes in ASCAC (The Association for the Study of Classical African Civilization), Art Healing Mandalas, Jewelry Making, Gentle Yoga, Canning and preserving food, Health and Wellness Study Courses. We make Gifts and Accessories. We Celebrate and show our respect of nature with Cultural Ceremonies, Workshops and special events. Amen Par Ankh means sacred House of Life. We Celebrate Life! We provide a space for your own personal discovery with quiet reflection and time for internal work, as well as an active space for expressions of our original ways of life. Ceremony, Counseling, Coaching, Cleansings, & Classes Amen Ankh Urban Farm is an urban agricultural enterprise with the goal of achieving environmental justice and sustainability by Healthy local food production and improving local neighborhood access to healthy Foods. We run Aquaponic Systems of farm raised fish, Herbs and microgreens. We sell Org-Ankh Electric Food Boxes! We also provide Farm-a-See tours of successful Local Farmers with the “Green Griot” Sasteh Meter Mosley. We grow selected local indigenous Herbs, Fruits, Vegetable and plant life of the Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, and Squash/Melons and cruciferous vegetables: Cabbage, and Kale, With Wheat Grass and other Sprouts, Herbs: Basil, Sage, Chives, Rosemary, Parsley, Peppers, with Moringa nutritional drink supplements, -From our foods we produce Baked Goods, cosmetics, & liniments to provide Healing and Sovereignty: Through the inspiration of Kujichagulia (Self-determination) for all original peoples. Feel free or Contact the Amen Ankh Urban Farm... amen.ankh@live.com or call: 816-281-7704 Please like our facebook pages: https://www.facebook.com/Green.Griot https://www.facebook.com/PARANKH , https://www.facebook.com/Amen.Ankh.Farm , https://www.facebook.com/Adenike.Art , https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ankh-The-Way-of-Life-Communities/
Dua (Th-ankh you!) ♥.

Monday, December 19, 2011

BES the Protector of the Home

Bes The Protector of the Home

 


 





I have noticed the similarities of the names of Bes and the Spiritual properties of Basil. Our Ancestors have often hidden our knowledge in children's stories and characters to engage our memories to hold onto and "Re-Member" wisdom. The similarities in the spiritual properties found in the old knowledge of herbs and their medicinal and healing applications were often the only remedies for people with no access to doctors or hospitals. These characters represent our mother's wisdom that was passed down from generation to generation.


Dr. Cheikh Anta Diop is an accomplished historian who warned 14 PhDs in Science, stated the first inhabitants of Africa south of the Sahara were the Twa and Khoisan, the later West African and Bantu came from the Sahara, the Nile Valley, and West Asia.

Mainstream historians never credited the Saharan for domesticating the horse and inventing the plow and chariot, yet Basil Davidson shows Africans migrating from the Sahara to West Africa and the Nile Valley.

The Twa people of Africa were among the first Africans to people the world. They created the first advanced civilizations worldwide.

Many Chinese, Japanese, and Mayans are the same 5’0″ size as the Twa because they are descendant of Twa people. If you look closely you can see their Twa phenotype. It looks like outside Africa the Twa and other African ethnic group mixed with other people and their descendants who are really the same African people.

Globe Trotting Twas:


The Twa aka Anu lived from the Nile Valley to Mali(called Tellen). They lived in Portugal, Germany, and England(called Picts and Lapps). They lived in Scandinavia where they are called Finns(Finland name after them).

The Twa lived in Groeland, Canada(called Skraelings), North America(called Mounds Builders). They lived in the tip of South America where they are called the Fuegians.

Moving West to Hawaii where the Twa were called Menehune. In the Philippine Islands, they were called Negritos by the Spanish. In Indonesia on the Island of Flores, skeletons of Twa were called Hobbits. In India, we find the Twa in an island in the Bay of Bengals where they are called Andaman Islanders. Yes, The Twa are found all over the world.

In the book, The First Americans Were African by David Imhotep.


First Civilization:


The first Paleolithic man was the Twa who evolved in Central Africa at the source of the Nile Valley and from here all originated (civilization) and was carried throughout the world. The Twa created spirituality. They are the first humans. The connection between Twa, Khoi, and Masaba connected with the Nilotic black-created spiritual systems. The first Nilotic Egyptian Gods were Twa(Ptah, Bes) and the Goddess were Twa according to 

Albert Churchward and Gerald Massey, Authors of Occultic Understanding.

The Pygmy believed in a father God who was killed. A virgin mother who gave birth to a Savior son who avenged the death of his father. These become Asr(Osiris,) Auset(Isis,) and Heru(Horus) of Kemet (Egypt.)

The Pygmy had developed in the distant past a highly technical and advanced type of material culture and they built boats traveling all over the world. But civilization brought them nothing but bad luck, so preferring happiness to misery, they finally gave up this high material civilization. Pygmy fossils have been found in all parts of the world.

Christianity before Christ by John G Jackson.

Anthropological Studies:

Jean Pierre Hallet was a Belgian-born anthropologist who lived with the Twas and studied their history and culture for more than 20 years. Hallet’s Pygmy friends told him that in the distant past, they developed a highly technical and advanced type of material culture and that they built boats and traveled widely around the world, but that this technical excellence bought them nothing but bad luck, so, preferring happiness to misery, they finally gave up this high material civilization. There may be a lot of truth in these traditions, for Pygmy fossils have been found in all parts of the world.”

-John G. Jackson ‘Christianity Before Christ’



Found in Wikipedia: "Bes (pron.: /bɛs/; also spelled as Bisu) is a Kemetic (Ancient "Egyptian") Icon, symbolized as a protector of households, and in particular, of mothers and children and childbirth. Bes later came to be regarded as the defender of everything good and the enemy of all that is bad. While past studies identified Bes as a Middle Kingdom import from Nubia, more recent research indicates that he was present in Egypt since the start of Old Kingdom. Mentions of Bes can be traced to pre-dynastic Nile Valley cultures; however, his form appears to be found all over the world."

Ma Bes can be found all over the Planet


Within the center of the Aztec calendar is the symbol of Bes, wagging her tongue, as a protector, daring any challenge.

BES IS THE BLACK PRESENCE ALL OVER THE WORLD! 
BES IS THE BLACK TWA MAN APPEARING IN EUROPE. 
BES IS THE LEPRECHAUN, THE ELF, THE FAIRY,  AND APPEARING AS SWARTE PETE AND SINTER KLAS...




The Black Queen Mother is the Temple pillars and throne of all mankind and the origin of Civilization. Bes is her ambassador and protector.


Bes is the spiritual protector, promoter, and healer of the home and family. He/She encourages fertility and watches over and teaches parents and children in their growth and development. Bes holds all of the wisdom and knowledge of the earth. She knows the cycles of time and the seasons. She knows the healing properties of all herbs. She is familiar with gardens, forests, animals, insects, lakes, rivers, mountains, and caves. She knows the prayers, chants, lyrics, limericks, lullabies, bedtime stories, dances, mathematics, letters, formulas, recipes, and words of power. He symbolizes the Shaman healer of the Nome or Klan. He is chemistry and physics. She represents the Sage, guardian and spiritual intuitive energy to ward off hostile energy from your family, life, home, office or wherever it is present. Bes controls The weather, the rain and the wind, the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Bes is Majic. He loves gold and can draw wealth and prosperity to the home. You can find this symbolic image of Bes all over the world. The earliest images of Elves, Trolls, Leprechauns, Fairies and Gnomes from all over the world were Black. The people are all characteristic and symbolic of our ancient Ancestors -the Twa and Khoisan (also known as "Pygmy") Mother and Father, with their history and wisdom of nature and the universe.


Here is an excerpt of a great find of the manuscript below:



On the extreme right of the façade: A Pygmy in the court of Egypt.

Pepy II's letter to Herkuf

A fourth, unnarrated, campaign to the land of Yam must have taken place, during which Harkhuf sent a letter to the young king Pepi II to inform him, particularly, that he was bringing back a pygmy, which resulted in the rest of the inscription. In fact, Pepi II wrote a letter in reply to that of Harkhuf, who was so proud of it that he had the text inscribed on the façade of his tomb in Aswan. Since little space remained, he had to prepare a space for it at the extreme right of the façade. Thus, the only complete royal letter dating from the old Kingdom has reached us.:

“ Seal of the king Himself. Second year of His reign, third month of the season akhet, fifteenth day. Royal decree (to) the Sole Companion, Lector-Priest, chief of interpreters, Harkhuf.

I have acquainted myself with the words of your letter, which you addressed to the king in the palace to inform him that you travelled in peace to the land of Yam, with the army, which accompanied you. You said in your letter that you were bringing back all sorts of presents, important and beautiful, which Hathor, lady of Imaou, gave for the ka of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Neferkare- may he live eternally and forever! You also say in your letter that you will bring back a pygmy (for) the dances of the God and coming from the land of the inhabitants of the horizon and similar to the pygmy which the treasurer of the God, Bawerded brought back from Punt in the time of the king Isesi. cartouche of king Djed-Ka-Re (Isesi)

You also say to My Majesty: never before has such a (pygmy) been brought back by any of those who have visited the land of Yam. It is said that, each year, you accomplish that which your royal Lord wishes and praises. You pass your days and your nights thinking of doing that which your Lord wishes, praises and commands. So My Majesty will act such that the numerous and excellent honours which are yours shall also please the sons of your son for eternity and that men will say, when they hear what my Majesty has done for you“ is there any parallel to that which was done for the Sole Companion Harkhuf when he came back from the land of Yam, because of the diligence with which he carried out that which his Lord wished, praised and commanded.?”

Come back, then, to the north, to the Residence. Leave (everything) and bring with you the pygmy which you have brought from the land of the inhabitants of the horizon, alive, in good health and strong so that he may dance for the God and make cheerful and rejoicing the heart of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Neferkare- may he live eternally!

If you come with him in the ship, set well-advised men about him on both sides of the boat and take care that he does not fall in the water. If he lies down to sleep during the night, have wise men to sleep beside him in his tent; go and check, ten times in the night. Because My Majesty wishes to see this pygmy more than all the tributes of Sinai or Punt.

If you reach the Residence and the pygmy is with you, alive, in good health and strong, My Majesty will do great things for you, more important than those which were done for the treasurer of the God, Bawerded, in the time of the king Isesi, according to the desire which My Majesty has to see this famous pygmy. Orders have been sent to the chief of the new town, Sole Companion and steward of the priests to command that victuals be taken by his care in every warehouse town and in every temple, without exception.


https://www.inkling.com/read/traditions-and-encounters-jerry-bentley-5th/chapter-3/harkhufs-expeditions-to-nubia















Zwarte Piet/ Pieten(Black Pete) is a character who has deep roots in traditional Dutch and Netherlands folklore. He appears in The Netherlands as a Spanish Moor (common to southern Holland in the 1500s), in caricature, as a Black man, with gold earrings and colorful period costumes of a Spanish Moor.


The story goes that Zwarte Piet chose to work with Saint Nicholas as his engineer and magical accompaniment. Since the 18th century in Holland, he has been depicted as a companion to Saint Nicholas in all of his holiday travels. Zwarte Pieten is today commonly depicted as a black person in the colorful pantaloons, feathered cap and ruffles of a Renaissance Moor, This character and tradition was later recorded in a children's book published in 1850. Zwarte Pieten is often portrayed as a mischievous but rarely mean-spirited character, the character is believed to have been derived from Bes the spirit pagan after his traditions. Nowadays, Zwarte Pieten has become a much more respected assistant of Saint Nicholas, often humorous, self-determined, majical, and playful.

Wikipedia:

Zwarte Piet (pronounced ['zʋɑrtə pit], "Black Pete") is the companion of Saint Nicholas (DutchSinterklaas from which the American figure of Santa Claus is derived) in the folklore of the Low Countries. In its modern form, the character is commonly depicted as a blackamoor, with blackface make-up, and dressed in stylized colourful Renaissance attire, akin to Maures in European heraldry, and similar to Moorish characters in the "Moors and Christians" Iberian folk festivals commemorating the Reconquista.

Currently, the media is presenting articles about the many Black people who are protesting the public displays of Zwarte Piet by Dutch people wearing "blackface" and Moorish styled costumes. So now the Dutch, meet Globalization –We now exist in a global world and that means we have to expand our knowledge about other cultures and peoples that make up diverse societies. The festival of Black Pete does, appear to be the glaring elephant in the room in the face of the invasion of South Africa by the Dutch!.. I now reflect back as a child living in Germany, people were so fascinated by us when they saw us at public Shopping districts. They would sometimes approach me and touch my skin… Seeing us must have brought back childhood memories of Black Pete. Understanding that the depiction of Moors and Moorish people in Europe has been slanted as one of servitude, now there are more Black citizens in Europe that live as equals and in authority, all over Europe.

The History of the Moors in Spain goes back to a successful harmony of rulership for almost 1000 years.

Black Europeans were actually still in existence, living as Original peoples, up to their discovery by Nazis, who gave them the choice of sterilization or incarceration in a death camp.

Actually, Black Pete was free to voluntarily work with SinterKlass. He had the upper hand over his counterpart and was the essential agent in the success of this operation for children. Yet the perpetuation of the depiction of servitude, (which reinforces the idea that Black people should be always in that role,) together with the horrible history and tradition of blackface in the US, means that it is time to revisit some of the old traditions and change them. It does matter that the tradition of blackface was the most prominent and therefore most hurtful in the United States. But as with all things, we must find the balance between honoring what is important and adapting to the need to respect the human dignity of all. If we wish to remember or honor the tradition of "Black Pete", then let him be portrayed by willing black actors/celebrants and as the willing friend of Sinterklaas that he is, and not a comic figure, slave, or buffoon. I know that he has been portrayed by the Dutch for countless generations in blackface, as a celebration for the children, of a long-forgotten historical person, most likely a Moor. However, the time for blackface anywhere has come to an end.



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Sunday, May 15, 2011

BASIL & BES their Spiritual Metaphysical and Aromatherapy properties


BASIL BES- their Spiritual,and Aromatherapy properties



BES

Aromatherapy

Holy Basil - Tulsi

Basil is BES!

We often fail to recognize the multi dimensions of ourselves in nature. Nature/ Neteru provides all of the healing and balance that our spiritual, mental, and body needs to thrive. Spending time around The sun, water, the breeze of fresh air, nature and living things can keep us centered and balanced in an urban environment. To have plants, herbs and flowers around us in our environment as living entities, in our homes, around our children, and to visit the sick, can keep us connected to the the healing, nurturing, aspects of life.

Basil is a symbol of fertility and is also known as the symbol for love because the leaves resemble hearts (Akoma). The Basil (plant spirit) is also a protector of family, and burning basil oil will help to clear negativity from the home and bring blessings and happiness to a new home. Basil creates a sympathetic vibration and is often worn to assist in clashes with other people. Wear basil oil to protect you in crowds. The scent of basil causes sympathy between two people and is used to mend lovers' quarrels. Basil is used also to ensure fidelity between lovers. Basil stimulates the conscious mind to invoke happiness. Use it in a ritual bath to bring new love in, or to free yourself of an old love. Opens the heart meridian-clears energy movement between the heart and the hands.

Basil aroma is also associated with clairvoyance, used to enhance visions and direction, and to promote honesty and positive outcomes and development.

Characteristics: There are many varieties of basil, and basil can include many color variations, but basil can easily be identified by its large, thin oval and easily bruised leaves. Basil, is in the same family as peppermint and is used to season sauces, soups, salads and pasta dishes all around the world.

Flavor: Basil is sweet, peppery and offers a slight anise-like aftertaste. Basil pairs with: tomato, garlic, onion, cilantro, mint and fennel.Basil also offers many important health benefits.

Medicinal Uses: One of the primary medicinal uses for basil is for its anti-inflammatory properties, making basil an ideal treatment for people with arthritis. Basil has strong antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. It is traditionally thought to stimulate the appetite and ease stomach upset. In Chinese medicine, basil is thought to support kidney function and ease gum ulcers. In classic Indian medicine, basil has been used to treat everything from earaches and itching to malaria, arthritis and anorexia. Like tarragon, one of basil’s major volatile oils is estragole that blocks enzymes in the body that cause swelling.

Basil, especially as an extract or oil, is known to have exceptionally powerful antioxidant properties that can protect the body from premature aging, common skin issues, age-related problems and even some types of cancer. The herb also contains the flavonoids orientin and vicenin, which are plant pigments that shield your cell structures from oxygen and radiation damage.

Both fresh basil and basil oil have strong antibacterial capabilities. In fact, basil has been shown to stop the growth of many bacteria, even some that had grown resistant to other antibiotics. Basil can be applied to wounds to help prevent bacterial infections. So, by adding basil oil to your salad dressings, you can help ensure your vegetables are safe to eat.

Basil oil can be used to assist in constipation, stomach cramps and indigestion as well as the cold, flu, asthma, whooping cough, bronchitis and sinus infections. It is also a great source of magnesium, an essential mineral that helps the body’s blood vessels relax, which can improve blood flow.

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are not from the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure or prevent any disease. We recommend that you consult with a physician from the American Medical Association especially when using prescribed medications or treatments. This notice is required by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Bes and Basil

I noticed the similarities of names of Bes and Basil. Our Ancestors have often hidden our knowledge in children's stories and characters to engage our memories to hold onto and "Re-Member" wisdom. The similarities in the spiritual properties found in the old knowledge of herbs and their medicinal and healing applications were often the only remedies for people with no access to doctors or hospitals. These characters represent our mother wisdom that was passed down from generation to generation.

Found in Wikipedia: Bes (pron.: /bɛs/; also spelled as Bisu) is a Kemetic (Ancient "Egyptian") Icon, symbolized as a protector of households, and in particular, of mothers and children and childbirth. Bes later came to be regarded as the defender of everything good and the enemy of all that is bad. While past studies identified Bes as a Middle Kingdom import from Nubia, more recent research indicates that he was present in Egypt since the start of the Old Kingdom. Mentions of Bes can be traced to pre-dynastic Nile Valley cultures; however, his form appears to be found all over the world.






Bes is the spiritual protector, promoter and healer of the home and family. He/She encourages fertility and watches over and teaches parents and children in their growth and development. Bes holds all of the wisdom and knowledge of the earth. She knows the cycles of time and the seasons. She knows the healing properties of all herbs. She is familiar with the gardens, forests, animals, insects, lakes, rivers, mountains and caves. She knows the prayers, chants, lyrics, limericks, lullabies, bedtime stories, dances, mathematics, letters, formulas, recipes, and words of power. Bes epitomizes the Shaman healer of the Nome or Klan. He is chemistry and physics. She represents the Sage, guardian and spiritual intuitive energy to ward off hostile energy from your family, life, home, office or wherever it is present. Bes controls The weather, the rain, and the wind, the earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Bes is Majic. He loves gold and can draw wealth and prosperity to the home. You can find this symbolic image of Bes all over the world. The earliest images of Elves, Trolls, Leprechauns, Fairies and Gnomes from all over the world were Black. The people are all characteristic and symbolic of our ancient Ancestors -the Twa and Khoisan (also known as "Pigmy") Mother and Father, with their history and wisdom of nature and the universe.

Here is an excerpt of a great find of manuscript below:

On the extreme right of the façade: A Pygmy in the court of Egypt.

Pepy II's letter to Herkuf

A fourth, unnarrated, campaign to the land of Yam must have taken place, during which Harkhuf sent a letter to the young king Pepi II to inform him, particularly, that he was bringing back a pygmy, which resulted in the rest of the inscription. In fact, Pepi II wrote a letter in reply to that of Harkhuf, who was so proud of it that he had the text inscribed on the façade of his tomb in Aswan. Since little space remained, he had to prepare a space for it at the extreme right of the façade. Thus, the only complete royal letter dating from the old Kingdom has reached us.:

“ Seal of the king Himself. Second year of His reign, third month of the season akhet, fifteenth day. Royal decree (to) the Sole Companion, Lector-Priest, chief of interpreters, Harkhuf.

I have acquainted myself with the words of your letter, which you addressed to the king in the palace to inform him that you travelled in peace to the land of Yam, with the army, which accompanied you. You said in your letter that you were bringing back all sorts of presents, important and beautiful, which Hathor, lady of Imaou, gave for the ka of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Neferkare- may he live eternally and forever! You also say in your letter that you will bring back a pygmy (for) the dances of the God and coming from the land of the inhabitants of the horizon and similar to the pygmy which the treasurer of the God, Bawerded brought back from Punt in the time of the king Isesi. cartouche of king Djed-Ka-Re (Isesi)

You also say to My Majesty: never before has such a (pygmy) been brought back by any of those who have visited the land of Yam. It is said that, each year, you accomplish that which your royal Lord wishes and praises. You pass your days and your nights thinking of doing that which your Lord wishes, praises and commands. So My Majesty will act such that the numerous and excellent honours which are yours shall also please the sons of your son for eternity and that men will say, when they hear what my Majesty has done for you “ is there any parallel to that which was done for the Sole Companion Harkhuf when he came back from the land of Yam, because of the diligence with which he carried out that which his Lord wished, praised and commanded.?”

Come back, then, to the north, to the Residence. Leave (everything) and bring with you the pygmy which you have brought from the land of the inhabitants of the horizon, alive, in good health and strong so that he may dance for the God and make cheerful and rejoicing the heart of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt, Neferkare- may he live eternally!

If you come with him in the ship, set well-advised men about him on both sides of the boat and take care that he does not fall in the water. If he lies down to sleep during the night, have wise men to sleep beside him in his tent; go and check, ten times in the night. Because My Majesty wishes to see this pygmy more than all the tributes of Sinai or Punt.

If you reach the Residence and the pygmy is with you, alive, in good health and strong, My Majesty will do great things for you, more important than those which were done for the treasurer of the God, Bawerded, in the time of the king Isesi, according to the desire which My Majesty has to see this famous pygmy. Orders have been sent to the chief of the new town, Sole Companion and steward of the priests to command that victuals be taken by his care in every warehouse town and in every temple, without exception.

https://www.inkling.com/read/traditions-and-encounters-jerry-bentley-5th/chapter-3/harkhufs-expeditions-to-nubia






Zwarte Piet/ Pieten(Black Pete) is depicted annually, as a profound Character who has deep roots in traditional Dutch and Netherlands folklore. He appears in The Netherlands as a Spanish Moor (common to southern Holland in the 1500s), in caricature, as a Black man, with gold earrings and colorful period costumes of a Moor.

The story goes that Zwarte Piet chose to work with Saint Nicholas as his engineer and magical accompaniment. Since the 18th century in Holland, he has been depicted as a companion to Saint Nicholas in all of his holiday travels. Zwarte Pieten is today commonly depicted as a black person in the colorful pantaloons, feathered cap and ruffles of a Renaissance Moor, This character and tradition was later recorded in a children's book published in 1850. Zwarte Pieten is often portrayed as a mischievous but rarely mean-spirited character, the character is believed to have been derived from Bes the spirit pagan after his traditions. Nowadays, Zwarte Pieten has become a much more respected assistant of Saint Nicholas, often humorous, self-determined, magical and playful. 

Wikipedia:

Zwarte Piet (pronounced ['zʋɑrtə pit], translated to "Black Pete") is the companion of Saint Nicholas (DutchSinterklaas from which the American figure of Santa Claus is derived,) in the folklore of the Low Countries. In its modern form, the character is commonly depicted as a blackamoor, with blackface make-up, and dressed in stylized colorful Renaissance attire, akin to Maures in European heraldry, and similar to Moorish characters in the "Moors and Christians" Iberian folk festivals commemorating the Reconquista.


Currently, the media is presenting articles about the many Black people who are protesting the public displays of Zwarte Piet by Dutch people wearing "blackface" and Moorish styled costumes. So now the Dutch, meet Globalization –We now exist in a global world and that means we have to expand our knowledge about other cultures and peoples that make up diverse societies. The festival of Black Pete does, appear to be the glaring elephant in the room in the face of the invasion of South Africa by the Dutch!.. I now reflect back as a child living in Germany, people were so fascinated by us as a family, when they saw us in public, at Shopping districts. They would sometimes approach me as a child, and touch my skin… Seeing us must have brought back childhood memories of Black Pete. Understanding that the depiction of Moors and Moorish people in Europe has been slanted as one of servitude, now that there are more Black citizens in Europe, due to the colonization of Africa and the rest of the world, We now see people of African descent living as equals and in authority, all over Europe.

The History of the Moors in Europe goes back to a successful harmony of rulership for almost 1000 years.
Yet, Black Twa /Khoisan were actually the first to populate early Europe. Their presence was still in existence, living as Original peoples, as Twa Khoisan, up to their discovery by Nazis, after WWII. The Nazis gave these remaining Original Europeans the choice of sterilization or incarceration in a death camp.

Actually, Black Pete was a free man who voluntarily worked with "Sinterklaas." He had the upper hand over his counterpart and was the essential agent in the success of this operation for children. Yet the perpetuation of the depiction of servitude, (which reinforces the idea that Black people should be always in that role,) together with the notorious and horrible history and tradition of black-face in the US, means that it is time to revisit some of the old traditions and change them. It does matter that the tradition of black-face was most prominent and therefore most hurtful in the United States.

Black-Face was worn by Caucasian men, in the United States in the late 19th through the 20th Centuries of the U.S. For more than 100 years, an act of domestic terrorism against people of African descent, was cast as the laws of Jim Crow. The United States actually created domestic State laws against people of African descent, as a backlash to the reconstruction period, after the domestic Civil War of 1891.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_the_American_Civil_War
The American Civil War was a war fought in the United States from 1861 to 1865, between the North and the South. The Civil War is the most studied and written about episode in U.S. history. Primarily as a result of the long-standing controversy over the enslavement of black people, war broke out in April 1861
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface
But as with all things, we must find the balance between honoring what is important and adapting to the needs to respect the human dignity of all. If we wish to remember or honor the tradition of "Black Pete", then let him be portrayed by willing black actors/celebrants and as the willing friend of Sinterklaas that he is, and not a comic figure, slave or buffoon. I know that he has been portrayed by Dutch for countless generations in black face, as a celebration for children, of a long forgotten historical person, most likely a Moor. However, the time for black face anywhere has come to an end.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/15/black-pete-arrests_n_6163926.html


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