Amen Par Ankh is a Sacred Temple of Life- We are a KRST conscious Community. We Grow Food to restore balance in our relationship with the cosmos, earth and our Natural communities by increasing awareness of Life, Health and Environment. We are a Maafia a "Healthy Place To Live" Amen Ankh Urban Farm’s Mission is to produce, promote, and perpetuate food, resources and comfort and to grow local healthy Indigenous Foods in environmentally, respected, earth gentle ways. Call Us-816-281-7704
Umoja Karamu, meaning "unity feast" in Swahili, is an African American celebration begun in 1971 by Dr. Edward Sims, Jr., held on the fourth Sunday in November. Its purpose is to instill solidarity, Afrikan values, and appreciation of Afrikan heritage into Afrikan American families. It is heralded for a grand Unity Feast of Knowledge, with Historical presentations for 5 periods of African American Life, followed by a grand Unity Feast of Food and Family.
Umoja Karamu (pronounced Oo-mo-jah Ca-ra-moo) are Kiswahili words that mean “unity feast.” It is a ceremony of unity that highlights events and periods that have shaped the African Diaspora of families.
Like Kwanzaa, a popular holiday celebrated after Christmas by African American families in the United States, Umoja Karamu is becoming an alternative holiday for African American families who want to distance themselves from the European Holidays like Thanksgiving.
Umoja Karamu is a ritual for the Black families that was developed to create new meaning and solidarity through ceremony and symbolism. Now African Americans have an alternative to celebrate family that represents their own heritage.
Umoja Karamu was inaugurated as a holiday in 1971 and was founded by Brother Edwards Sims, Jr. When it was first introduced it was only celebrated in Philadelphia and in Washington, D.C. Our traditional roots were violently separated, repressed, and often forgotten during a process called Colonialism.”
Like Thanksgiving, Umoja Karamu also emphasizes family gatherings and feasts, but it also features unique ceremonies. Specific foods and colors on the table are used symbolically to represent meaningful historical periods and elements in the African American experience for the family’s hope for the future.
In the Umoja Karamu tradition, the feast is presided over by the head of the household or community Leader. The 5 Ceremonial foods are placed on a Shrine to represent the Ancestors, which is covered with African fabric. In a special purification rite, a Libation is poured over a plant or tree to invite the Ancestars.
Extended family members participate directly in Umoja by bringing prepared foods to the ceremony. Candlelight and incense provide ambiance and contribute to an atmosphere of calmness and reflection. Children participate by reading narratives commemorating each historical period while the 5 Ceremonial foods representing the era is passed around. After each narrative, the food is tasted by everyone, like an hors d’oeuvre. This process is repeated for each era. A benediction is given by the oldest person or elder that marks the end of the rite and signals the beginning of the feast itself.
Different families have their own ways of personalizing the holiday. Drums are sometimes played in the background to set the mood. A professional storyteller may also perform the narratives. Families have gotten creative when celebrating Umoja Karamu. Powerpoint presentations show pictures of the 5 periods. Some will play the music of New World music while others might learn a traditional dance.
Umoja Karamu is a way for African American families to celebrate their common history, ethnic experiences, and cultural heritage while tailoring this unique holiday to fit your family’s personality. Traditions that were once stolen can be recreated to strengthen family unity.
Thanksgiving is the American holiday of choice for many but more families are moving away from holidays that resulted in massacres of indigenous people and are seeking a cultural alternative. If you are questioning your support of Thanksgiving, Umoja Karamu might be the perfect celebration for your family.
Amen Par Ankh has presented the Umoja Karamu for more than a decade in Kansas City, Missouri. Our Local Celebration features African American Historical Presentations Edutainment, Libations, PowerPoint display, Historical Narratives, A shrine for Ancestors, Acknowledgment of our Local Ancestors and their Achievements, Music, and an abundant Potluck Feast: (We invite your Interactive participation for Family, Culture, and Community by bringing Photographs and Memorials of your Ancestors For our Display.) (We also encourage your contributions and donations to our feast! Fruits Veggies, desserts, Vegan, Halal, or Levitical Covered dish. -Please, NO Pork Products)
Historic Presentations and Dinner, Libations to honor ancestors, historical readings, music, and a potluck feast will mark this observance.
The celebration is based on five periods of African American life, each represented by a color and a symbolic food.
1. The color black- Pre Invasion – (Black Beans or Black Eye Peas) Black families before slavery
2. The color white- Maafa – (Brown Rice) scattering of black families (during slavery)
3. The color red- Emancipation – (Red Juice) Black Liberation struggle
4. The color green- Struggle for Civil Rights – (Green veggies)
5. The color gold- Looking to the Future – (Yellow Corn) Hope for the Future Bright)
For More Information Call us: 816-281-7704
*EMWOT and Amen Par Ankh and Adenike's Arts Reduce Reuse Recycle, are now collecting Winter Work Wear, tools, and Equipment, as well as Hygiene Items and Educational Materials for At-Risk Youth, homeless Teens and Incarcerated re-entry Young Adults for Amen Ankh Akademy and You G.R.O.W.W. Girls programs. We are looking for Blankets, Coats, Hats, Gloves, Scarves, Socks, Sweaters, Boots, Drinking Water, Natural Snacks, Work Gear and Tools ...
*STEAM (Science Technology Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) items and Tools, Work Gear *Educational supplies and Equipment like, Laptops, Tablets, Whiteboards, paper, Artistic materials, Paint, Science materials, and Sculpture, Welding equipment, etc... You can drop off your items at the Amen Par Ankh KCMO 64130 Contact Sistar Nuta Adenike AmenRa El 816-281-7704
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Nuta Beqsu AmenRa Moses
I am available for Lectures, Libations, Griot Spoken Word Presentations, KMT Wedding, Birth and Ascension officiant, Salutations and Blessings for new beginnings, Home and Businesses, Afrikan Storytelling, Conferences and Workshops Contact: amen.parankh@gmail.com or amen.ankh@live.com
Phone: 816-281-7704
The information on this website has been put together for general information, education, reference, Spirituality Current Events, and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any specific condition. Ask your doctor for his professional advice before making radical changes in your diet and lifestyle.
Amen Par Ankh (sacred temple of life) and Amen Ankh Akademy; is a local home school network, and Urban Farm nestled around a Spiritual Outreach Ministry and an Education Center in the heart of midtown Kansas City, Missouri. Contact our Minister and Director: Sistar Nuta Beqsu Moses aka Adenike Amen-Ra El and become a member of our Gnome Maafia- as We Celebrate the Cycles of Life! Email: amen.ankh@live.com ,and Call: 816-281-7704 to sign-up for courses and support: PAYPAL: amen.parankh@gmail.com , information: http://amen-parankh.blogspot.com , also Look for us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
We acknowledge our Great Ancient Ancestral history and heritage of First People Spiritual Ways. We provide an Online Homeschool Curriculum network and Afterschool STEAM (Science Technology, Vocational Arts, Mathematics and Natural Medicine) careers with hands-on Agriculture Experiences. –You GROWW Girls and Amen Ankh Akademy Economic Literacy study group.
We Respect Mother Earth and acknowledge the natural sciences and ecology with recycling.
We provide Ancestor Libation Ceremonies, KMT Readings for Destiny, Health, Career and Relationship Consultations using the Ausar Auset Method, We perform Home Blessings, African Naming, KMT Ordained Weddings and Wedding planning, We celebrate and observe the Equinox and Solstice events, where we celebrate and show our respect for the wonder of nature with Cultural Ceremonies, Song, music, dance, Workshops, and special events.
We Grow and make Org-Ankh Electric foods, Gifts, and Accessories.
We provide an Online Radio Call-in show for Outreach ministry: Amen Communications http://www.blogtalkradio.com/amencommunications
Newborn Blessings, Home and Business Spiritual Cleansing and Blessings, Ancient Funeral rites and Ascension ceremonies, Par Ankh Reading Room, Herbal Teas and Juice bar, Nature walks and Outdoor camping Experiences, classes such as Spiritual Jewelry making, Sewing and other handcrafts, Henna Healing designs, of Head wrapping arts, Making Natural Hair oils, beading and Lox twisting, Cosmetics, and Herbal products. Also Envisioning, Dream Catchers, Vision Boards, Art Healing Mandalas Sip-And-Paint Events, Spiritual Jewelry Making, Gentle Yoga, Canning and preserving food,
We assist in Wellness for Body Mind and Spirit for Spiritual Attunement - to realize the fullest capacities of life, health, prosperity and strength.
We provide an active space for expressions of our original wisdom ways of life.
Ceremony, Counseling, Coaching, Cleansings and Classes
The information on this Blogsite has been put together for general information, education, reference, Spirituality Current Events and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific condition. Ask your doctor for his professional advice before making radical changes in your diet and lifestyle.
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 are growing orchards and constructing Aquaponic Systems of farm raised fish, Herbs and microgreens. We also provide Farm-a-See tours of successful Local Farmers with the “Green Griot”. We grow selected local “Org-Ankh” electric 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 Fresh produce we create canned and Baked Goods, teas, cosmetics, & liniments to provide Healing through the inspiration of Kujichagulia (Self-determination) for everyone. Feel free or Contact the Director: Queenma Nuta Beqsu Moses aka Adenike Amen-Ra Please like our facebook pages: 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/ https://www.facebook.com/Green.Griot
