Garvey and the Harmonious and Complementary Afrikan Male-Female Union

Marcus Garvey organised and led the most prolific global organisation of Afrikan souls of the ages with membership into the multitude of millions. This was never an arena to step away from the vital importance of the Afrikan male-female union of harmonious complementarity. Rather, this fundamental living institution was to be rightly embraced. Such was his conviction for the betterment of his people, that despite facing the challenges of getting married once and it not working out, he never abandoned living knowingness of the progressive Afrikan man and woman in intimate union of oneness. Rather, this great hero learnt many necessary lessons and journeyed a second time, in fulfilment of this core Afrikan ideal.

His first wife was Amy Ashwood Garvey whom he married in 1919 after recovering from a futile assassination attempt: According to Garvey’s second wife:

“While he was in Harlem Hospital, Amy Ashwood, a Jamaican friend from Panama, then Secretary of the New York local, removed his belongings from his furnished room to her flat. At the end of December they were married.

The following year, about three months after the event, on his return from a trip, he called Miss Henrietta Davis, Assistant President-General and myself to a conference. He said he wanted us to know before the reporters had it their own way. He had decided to separate from his wife and get a divorce afterwards. He had given the matter deep thought and felt that he was acting in the best interest of his work – which came first in his life – and his own peace of mind”.

The exceptionally driven Marcus Garvey required his ‘peace of mind’ in his intimate relationship and would soon recognise the necessary harmonising qualities in Amy Jacques Garvey:

“One Sunday night during the summer I went to Liberty Hall, After the meeting was over, I went and congratulated him on his fine oratory. There were many points he did not cover in his speech; on these I questioned him for the answers; as I told him, I not only wanted to be convinced that he was right, but to be able to argue on my conviction. His answers seemed to call forth more questions, so he made an appointment at his office, where he would have more time to talk, and he could show me around the place….I kept the appointment, and Garvey convinced me on the worthiness of his program…I promised him I would come in the evenings and inaugurate the systems, and I did”

The relationship blossomed and grew in the context of the organised thrust for global Afrikan ascension.

“Garvey’s second marriage took place… to his private secretary Amy Jacques”.

Amy Jacques Garvey became the forever spouse of the great hero Marcus Garvey and continued to organise, inspire and inform the Afrikan world of this Afrikan mighty leader. She states:  

“Marcus Garvey in ecstasy of spirit shouted to his people – ‘Up, mighty race! Your homeland must be redeemed, and our people everywhere rehabilitated and working unitedly toward the goal of full freedom – which alone can bring unlimited achievements and happiness’. This was the almost superhuman task he set for himself and those who looked like him – the revival of the power of the human spirit in [Afrikan] people everywhere”.

There is surely no excuse for Afrikan souls in the world to give up on themselves, their people and their fundamental institution of male-female union of harmonious complementarity. Speaking in the context of his organisation’s programmes Garvey he became aware of that guidelines would be helpful. Thus, he recommended that people do not get married until they have, ‘enough time to see everything and understand everything’ in terms of marriage, roles and mission for Afrikan ascension. Of course, knowing is not absolute and there are important differences between the Afrikan man and the Afrikan woman to be considered in terms of time.    

Organisations influenced by, and intimately connected with the Garvey Movement would later articulate explicit guidelines such as:

“A wife’s ideal age was half the man’s age, plus seven…that no marriage could succeed where the woman did not look up with respect to the man”.

The union of the Afrikan man and Afrikan woman are at the heart of the self-determined and organised thrust for Afrikan betterment. Indeed, there is no Afrikan eternal continuance void of this union.

The exceptional thrust of Garvey lives in Afrikan souls throughout the world as the imperative of global Afrikan ascension is realised.    

The observance of Musa Msimu takes place during the month of so-called August and is a wonderful time to celebrate the mighty example of Marcus Garvey and the Movement that he created led in order for future generations of Afrikans to have their guide for complete freedom and nationhood. Musa Msimu is a part of the Afrikan Cultural calendar of the Universal Royal Afrikan Nation (URAN).

The Universal Royal Afrikan Nation (URAN) is an Afrikan-centred spiritual and cultural mission for ascendancy that embodies living spiritually and culturally rooted life. To find out more about URAN and its spiritual-cultural mission for liberty and nationhood click here. The exquisite URAN pendant can be obtained online by clicking here.

The important book entitled: From Musa to Afrikan Fundamentalism – The Afrikan Spiritual Essence of Marcus Garvey is available to purchase online here. The book trailer can be accessed by clicking here.

In his capacity as an Afrikan-centred spiritual cultural practitioner this author is available for further learning in this regard and also for the carrying out of ceremonies such as naming and name reclamation. For details please click here.

Afrikan World Studies programmes are important forms of study in understanding the Afrikan experience. There are a range of subjects covered on these programmes including History, Creative Production, Psychology and Religion. To find out more about these learning programmes please click here. For the video promo for these learning programmes click here.

At nominal cost, also consider acquisition of an a4 laminate poster of articulations by this author when visiting the Yemanja institution to enrol, consult, learn, gather or otherwise.

Also, visit www.u-ran.org for links to Afrikan liberation Love radio programme on Universal Royal Afrikan Radio online.