Kwanzaa – Celebrating Good Character

The following is an account taken from the important text: From Ajar to Omowale – The Spiritual & Garveyite Journey of Malcolm X. It includes quotations from those of the Afrikan wisdom tradition inspired by or close to a magnificent hero of exceptional character:

“Marcus Mosiah Garvey in his astounding capacity for leadership and wisdom described a profound quality that he articulated as being sterling character. This term related to dedication, commitment, upstanding and exemplary conduct. He engendered this ideal with the members of the massive UNIA via his leadership training programme. This powerful character traits of the Afrikan that Garvey was clear about had to be reclaimed and were being made manifest in the children of Earl and Louise Little.

‘In both Earl and Louise Little then we see traits that will reappear in Malcolm’s character, a spirit of independence, a refusal to be intimidated, an innate Black pride and a resourcefulness. Obviously, such a Black man as Earl Little who would not ‘stay in his place’ and who spread the racial gospel even after Garvey had been deported and after himself had been warned was risking his life.’

Given that Omowale’s (Malcolm’s) experience as a child was rooted in the organisational activities of the Garvey Movement via the sterling efforts of his mother and father: it is surely a natural progression (even predestined) for him to have inherited the sterling qualities of character and to have those qualities unfold in his life.

‘It is written…that ‘to do that which is of value for eternity. A man called forth by his work does not die for his name is raised and remembered because of it.’ Surely the imperishable character of Malcolm X and his meaning to us and the world has unavoidably in his tireless and self-sacrificing work and [fight] to transform himself, liberate his people and bring good into the world.’

Omowale’s (Malcolm’s} character was of such propriety that his example engendered betterment in others.

‘It should be remarked that Malcolm’s honesty, sincerity, and forthrightness in dealing with the problems posed by racism, imperialism, neo-colonialism endeared him to Afrikan radicals and gave to many who had seen or heard him a sense of dignity and pride often lacking in many of their leaders.’

From his early years raised  in a Garveyite family, during his incarceration and throughout his later life, the commitment to learning was an ever-present facet in the shaping of his character. Omowale (Malcolm) read avariciously and this was reflected in his deeply informed articulations and actions.

‘When visiting Uncle Malcolm, Ma and I would meet him at Brother Micheaux’s bookstore, where he was welcomed any time of day or night. He spent more time there than anywhere else in New York city. I believed at times Malcolm may have actually lived in the bookstore. Sometimes he would fall asleep while reading in one of its back rooms. Brother Micheaux would usually have a pile of phone messages or mail for Malcolm when he stopped by since people who wanted to contact him would often phone or write the store.’

There were occasions when Ma, Malcolm and Brother Micheaux would talk all night about local, national and international events and people while I slept peacefully among a cavern of books.

A profound aspect of Omowale Malcolm X’s character – [Ukweli]  truth, was and remains a lasting legacy and a most powerful ally in the righteous effort to uplift a people. Omowale had the ability to express precisely the issues that confronted Afrikan people and also what was required in order for the Afrikan to organise him or herself for liberty. Here, [Ukweli] truth carries ancient validity that emanates from the earliest tradition – Afrikan tradition.

‘He is important because he is what…people in West Afrika call a truth teller. They say every one thousand years one is born and they tell the truth regardless of the cost. He told the Black people of America the truth about themselves in an unvarnished, ruthless, eloquent manner. He analysed the situation of the dispossessed Blacks and that analysis is still a valid one. That’s why the memory of him lives in the way it does.’”

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Unfortunately, alien forces of Anti-Afrikan agency seek to destroy the superlative character of the Afrikan. Whether through miseducation, mess-media propaganda or other vile ills enemy forces consistently attempt to inflict character assassination upon Afrikan souls of progressiveness.

However, the Afrikan spirit substance that gives rise to exceptional character is divinely ascribed by the Creator Supreme. Thus, through spiritual and cultural living- self-determined effort - the Afrikan can nurture and develop natural character to the full. Of course, in the context of alien enemy onslaught character development is not simply about the onward thrust of nurture. The enemy is forever poised to sink his ravenous talons of regression into Afrikan flesh. Thus, it is also necessary to safeguard and protect the glorious manifestation of the Afrikan character in its ever-upward rise to victory. This is true for the great and eternal Afrikan character physically present or otherwise.

During the wonderful observance of Kwanzaa the nurturing, development and indeed bountiful harvest of manifest Afrikan character goodness that has been cultivated throughout the year is celebrated. This glorious crop is a vital part of Afrikan life from the very young to the more senior. It is a crop is grown with Afrikan loving self-care and must be protected from alien parasites for glorious yield.

Living the Afrikan spiritual and cultural way is an imperative collective mission of ascension and the natural home for goodness of character. The Universal Royal Afrikan Nation is an organ of spiritual and cultural fabric that carries all-year-round character development cycles from observance to observance. This is a wonderfully blessed yield to celebrate during the Kwanzaa period.  

 The wonderful observance of Kwanzaa takes place from the 26th of so-called December to the 1st of so-called January. It is seven-day period of Afrikan celebration and spiritual-cultural enrichment. Based upon the harvesting traditions of the Afrikan world this celebration of first fruits has at its core the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) together with an beautiful array of deeply meaningful symbols established elevate the Afrikan world community to its fullest flourishing.

Kwanzaa is one of the essential cultural observances of life within the Universal Royal Afrikan Nation. 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.

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 an 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.

Also, in the approach to the important cultural observance of Kwanzaa, the text: From Pert-En-Min to Kwanzaa - A Kuumba (Creative) Restoration of Sacred First Fruits by this author is available to purchase online here. This publication provides informative detail on the of the Kwanzaa celebration. You can also visit the institution of Yemanja to pick up a copy.

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.