AbibitumiKasa Kongo Discussion Dikenga dia Kongo TRIBUTE TO KIMBWANDENDE KIA BUNSEKI FU-KIAU (https://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7942&thumb=1) (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7942)
Kongo Discussion Overview'"
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- The life and the work of Kimbwandende kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau
- The composition of the Kongo Cosmogram and its meaning
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- The Bantu-Kongo Concept of Time and its expression through the Dikenga dia Kongo
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- The life and the work of Kimbwandende kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau
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Bio : Dr. K. Bunseki Fu-Kiau is one of the most distinguished and insightful scholars of Kmtyw culture. Born in Manianga, Congo, he was educated in both Western and Kmtyw systems of thought.
He is initiated into three major traditional "secret societies", Lemba, Khimba and Kimpasi. These "secret societies" are in reality indigenous educational institutions. Lemba, is of particular relevance because it is the foundation for numerous Kmtyw based religions and practices in the Americas, including Palo Mayombe in Cuba, Vodou Petro in Haiti, and Candomble Angola in Brazil; brought about through the transport of Central Kmt's indigenous people to the new world during the slave trade.
While teaching in the city of Kinshasa, Dr. Fu-Kiau decided to return to his home, Manianga located in the countryside. There, he founded Luyalungunu Lwa Kumba-Nsi Institute, a pioneering education center dedicated to exploring and documenting traditional Kongo culture. His research and development work at the Institute laid bare the Kmtyw philosophy of ancient Bantu educational institutions, which has had a significant effect on major western scholars including Drs. Robert F. Thompson, John M. Janzen and Wyatt MacGaffey. Essentially, the cultural philosophy espoused by President Mobutu of Zaire on which he firmly established his national programme of Aughtenticite was based on the works of Fu-Kiau.
Dr. Fu-Kiau came to the United States to continue his education, and to educate Americans, particularly Kmtyw Americans, about the complexity and depth of Kmtyw philosophy. Since his arrival, he as done precisely that by means of various lectures and presentations. He has published numerous books and articles including
Kongo Cosmology, Kumina: A Kongo-based Tradition in the New World, Kindezi: The Kongo Art of Babysitting, and
Self-Healing Power and Therapy, Old Teachings from Kmt. He currently resides in Boston where he works as Director of Library Services at the Suffolk County House of Correction, and as Visiting Lecturer at the Tufts University Department of Anthropology and Sociology. He has also instituted two unique courses at the Suffolk County House of Correction: The Jail That Changed My Life and The Kmtyw World and Culture. These courses are currently being turned into manuscripts for publication.
Dr. Fu-Kiau's academic background includes degrees in the areas of Cultural Anthropology (B.A.), School Administration (M.Ed.), Library Science (M.S.), and Education and Community Development (Ph.D.). An insightful scholar with a profound knowledge of Central Kmtyw philosophy and Traditions, he is also a serious and committed educator with a wealth of experience, both in Kmt and the United States. Dr. Fu-Kiau is a person of character, dedicated to the betterment of human-kind through tradtional Kmtyw ideas and means.
Taken from this thread (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/37512-Kimbwandende-Kia-Bunseki-Fu-Kiau).
His Books : Self-Healing Power and Therapy, Old Teachings from Kmt
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Self-Healing Power and Therapy is based upon the Bantu-Kongo teachings on the art of healing, which is devoted to assisting the human being in understanding the key principles that govern life. Combining ancient practices with today's sophisticated methods of healing, here then, for the very first time, is a thorough exploration and explanation of an ancient art in a modern setting whose efficacy has survived the test of time. This book is also an excellent to learn the thoughts, words and concepts of Our ancestors in a language of Our own creation.
Taken from this thread (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/37525-Self-Healing-Power-and-Therapy). Kmtyw Cosmology of the BÂNTU-KÔNGO, Principles of Life & Living
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In the first chapter, "Kongo Cosmology in Graphics", Dr. Bunseki utilizes an ingenious series of geometric figures/diagrams to outline the cosmological/linguistic underpinnings of Bantu-Kongo society in the villages where he grew up and has lived for over 40 years. As in other Kmtyw societies, so-called societal and ritual categories often overlap in many different ways - things aren't always as they seem, but this is why things work so well and are expressive of so much vitality. Everything interpenetrates with everything else, in numerous ways, and on numerous levels, and from numberless standpoints.
Taken from this thread (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/33631-Kmtyw-Cosmology-of-the-Bantu-Kongo?highlight=kiau). « Simba Simbi », Hold Up That Which Holds You Up
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Are you looking to make sense of your world and how you relate to those around you? K.kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau presents traditional Kmtyw philosophy and its order to life-balance seekers in his book:
Simba Simbi: Hold Up That Which Holds You Up. According to this philosophy,
Simba Simbi is the guiding principle of everything in our universe, all things seen and unseen. It is a spiritual, key concept to life and living; all successes and failures depend upon it. Fu-Kiau asserts that men and women worldwide can become more satisfied with their lives once they become in tune with this attitude and perception of life. Study
Simba Simbi by K.kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau to gain consciousness of how you relate to the world around you.
Mbôngi, An Kmtyw Traditional Political Institution
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From the Introduction...
"Modern Kmt is often a stranger to itself. Its so-called institutions are also alien to it. The national economic disease spreading to many Kmtyw states is not Kmtyw in origin. It is a disease generated by alien economic systems blindly adopted or being adopted by Kmtyw leaders who have never sat inside an Kmtyw "Mbongi", a truly indigenous political institution."
Kindezi, The Kôngo Art of Babysitting
(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7943&thumb=1) (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7943) Kindezi (the art of babysitting) and the ndezi (babysitter) provide an extensive amount of services for both the society at large and the idividual child, making for a cohesive, unified community. Kindezi serves to provide an early education for Kmtyw youth, therapy and feeling of purpose for the aged, and liberation and independence for Kmtyw women. In addition, Kindezi develops the moral and intelectual character of the young, thus ensuring a strong foundation for each new generation.
Taken from this thread (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/33347-Kindezi-%28the-art-of-babysitting%29-Fu-Kiau?highlight=kiau).
(http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/33347-Kindezi-%28the-art-of-babysitting%29-Fu-Kiau?highlight=kiau) You can get these books at:http://djelibooks.myshopify.com/collections/books/fukiau (http://djelibooks.myshopify.com/collections/books/fukiau)'"
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- The composition of the Kongo Cosmogram and its meaning
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The two worlds : Ku mpemba : LW : Lower World, spiritual world, abode of the ancestors :
nsi a bafwa : land of the dead
Ku nseke : UW : Upper World, phisical world :
nza yayi : this world
The two lines : Kalunga : the balancing plane-line of all energies
Mukula : to grow, to gain a full understanding of the principles of life (
N'kîngu miazîngila)
The intersection : Muntu Muntu Ya kilisu : to grow up in the cross
The four postions/stages : The
Musoni position is in the Ancestors' world. It is there that everything is first conceived/conceptualize/seeded.
The
Kala position marks the point of « coming out » of the ancestors' world and the « entry » into the physical world.
The
Tukula position marks the point of time where a planet, an individual, a society, kwk... reaches its peak, its mature state.
The
Luvemba position marks the point of « coming out » of the physical world and the « entry » into the ancestors' world.
The « V » zone : Lubata lwa Mpângulu : Zone of highest level of creativity : the most critical zone in the success of all biological beings, especially human beings.
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- The Bantu-Kongo Concept of Time and its expression through the Dikenga dia Kongo
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COSMIC TIME (Tandu kiayalangana)
«Each body (world, planet) in the universe has its own cosmic time, its own formation process.» (https://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7964&thumb=1) (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7964)
Musoni Time (Tandu kia Musoni): «
Musoni time is the beginning of all time »
« it is the collision of collisions (the big-bang) »
Kala Time (Tandu kia Kala): « During this era the Earth witnessed great changes. Life in its lowest form – microscopic « beings » (
zio), algae – began to exist/be (
kala) during this period »
Tukula Time (Tandu kia Tukula): « During this period of cosmic time, our planet matured (
Kula).[...] Animals also occured at one point during this
tukula era. »
«
Tukula incorporates the « V » zone »
Luvemba Time (Tandu kia Luvemba): « At this point the planet earth became a living whole, complete by itself[...] the circle of cosmic time was completed and a new stage of time began »
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VITAL TIME (Ntangu a zingu / Ntangu a moyo) « the vital time of life[...] is cyclical. It begins at a point and ends at that same point to close the cycle, and then, by undergoing transformation, a new cycle begins.[...] All living things, concepts, and systems undergo this temporal cycle.» (https://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7842&thumb=1) (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7842)
The four stages : Yakwa : conception/pregnancy
Butwa : birth
Kula : maturing stage
Fwa : death
« The Bantu-Kongo concept of death is very clear. Dying is not the end : « tufwanga mu soba » – we die in order to undergo change » NATURAL TIME (Ntangu yasemuka / Ntangu yamena) « Natural time[...] is the time that controls earthly things, their movement, growth, blooming, mating, and nesting.[...] Trhough its motion, natural time brings the four natural seasons to life » The four natural seasons : Nsungi a mvula : rainy season
Nsungi a sivu : cold season
Nsungi a lakumuka : « fall » season
Nsungi a mbangala : summer season
SOCIAL TIME (Ntangu amvukanana) « Social time is the time devoted to all activities of living beings » « As with all other arenas of time, social time, in all its divisions, is itself subject to dikenga, the cosmogramic altar, and to its main steps of life[...] »
(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7844&thumb=1) (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=7844) The four principal hours/time periods (lo bianene/biangudi) : n'dingu-a-nsi : midnight
nsekula : sunrise
mbata : noon
ndimina : sunset
The four « in-between » hours (lo biandwèlo) : makièlo : « the opening of the morning »
kinsâmina : between sunrise and noon
nsinsa : between noon and sunset
malo-ma-tulu : between sunset and midnight
The four Kôngo Market days : Bukonso/Konzo Mpika Nkoyi Nkenge/Nsona See also the Kikongo Calendar thread (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/80121-KIKONGO-Calendar).
Other Links: '"
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- You can find more information on Dikenga in this document: Flying Over Dikenga, The circle of new life (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/78148-Flying-over-dikenga-The-circle-of-new-life)
- 9 parts video (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/vbtube_show.php?tubeid=958&name=dr-fu-kiau-bunseki-part-1) of one of his lectures.
- Capoeira : According to pre-eminent scholar of Bantu culture, Dr. Kibwandende kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau the word Capoeira itself is Kmtyw and comes from the Kikongo word Kipura - to flutter around like roosters in cockfights. Taken from this thread (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/75314-Capoeira-History-of-an-Kmtyw-Fighting-Art?highlight=kiau).
- Be-Ing (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/33616-Be-ing-From-Kmtyw-Cosmology-of-the-Bantu-Kongo?highlight=kiau)
- Nkondi (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/37543-Nkondi-K-K-Bunseki-Fu-Kiau?highlight=kiau)
- Kundu (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/37539-Kundu-K-K-Bunseki-Fu-Kiau?highlight=kiau)
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:Kmt:
Meda ase, I look forward to study group:Kmt:
http://imixwhatilike.org/2014/03/25/tatafukiauwdrmarkbolden/ (http://imixwhatilike.org/2014/03/25/tatafukiauwdrmarkbolden/)
Absolutely pathetic that I haven't read Dr. Fu-Kiau's works, I just ordered 3 of his books, "Simba Simbi", "Self-Healing", and "Mbongi". I can't wait to get my hands on his books!
@Tenkamenin, once you read them, welcome to the family!
I read "Self Healing Power" in 3hrs and I'm blown away by the depth of the subject. This book is going to radically change the way I engage the world.
When I read it I felt like I was in a womb about to be reborn. One of the most life-changing books I've ever read.
A powerful book, it has helped change how I look at things.
QuoteTenkamenin;143522 wrote: I read "Self Healing Power" in 3hrs and I'm blown away by the depth of the subject. This book is going to radically change the way I engage the world.
QuoteObadele Kambon;143523 wrote: When I read it I felt like I was in a womb about to be reborn. One of the most life-changing books I've ever read.
QuoteAgya Kwaku;143596 wrote: A powerful book, it has helped change how I look at things.
That's a book about healing but that's also a book that heals.
We could regenerate the healing power of this thread (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/37525-Self-Healing-Power-and-Therapy) by posting our thoughts/ideas/analysis/quotes from the book in it, what y'all think ?
Also I plan on having another Dikenga discussion in the near future as I found out/learned a lot of new info, I hope you'll be able to join and share.
Manikongo, now that I've read the book I'm going to go through it again and study it. I will post my questions in this thread.
QuoteTenkamenin;143661 wrote: Manikongo, now that I've read the book I'm going to go through it again and study it. I will post my questions in this thread.
Great. I have questions myself.
I will start with my comments on this book. First off I just have to say WOW again after reading "Self Healing" for the second time. I truly believe that "Self Healing" and "Bantu Cosmology" should be the first few books read in every Kmtyw Studies 101 course. Although I'm still learning, I'm going to have to re-read all of my Kmtyw books with this new perspective on life.
On page 8, second paragraph, Dr. Fu-Kiau says,
"The birth of a child is perceived as the rising of a living sun in the upper world, ku nseke, the physical world or the world of the living community. This living sun, depending on the lendo kia tambukusu ("genetic power") passed on to it at the moment of conception, is endowed with or born without the fullness of the self-healing potential, ngolo zandiakina, innate in any human being, which constitutes the healing power, lendo kiandiakina, that generates electricity throughout the human body"
This very passage, now makes me appreciate some of the tips shared in Queen Afua's book "Heal thy Self". I recall in one section, Queen Afua recommended that before a couple makes love (Kembana), they purify their bodies by eating fresh fruits and vegetables, and drinking purified water to allow the body to detoxify. After all if conception is the aim, we as a couple are in the best health to pass this electricity to our kids. At the time when I read Queen's particular passage on love making preparations, I dismissed it as a burden to the end point, now 2 kids later I'm wondering what I ate.
I agree with you 1000%, I really was thinking the exact same thing about these two books if it's "Kmtyw Cosmology of the BÂNTU-KÔNGO" that you're speaking of. They really are building blocks. In the intro Marimba Ani writes that Fu-Kiau " puts flesh onto the bones of Kmtyw Nationalist ideology" (p. xii).
Every Kmtyw child should read these at least once a year. And what I like is that the Dikenga dia Kongo is always used and it even gives you a better understanding or overstanding sometimes. This symbol is powerful and a lot of knowledge is hidden inside of it.
I haven't read "Heal thy Self" but that's a good example of the interest in re-reading books with that new perspective/knowledge in mind.
The story of his mother and Ma Mukènto (p. 34) was deep. I know for a fact that dreams that tell you about the future can happen, but the thing here is that it's the baby in the womb who came to see her in a dream. One of the best stories I ever heard.
A couple of things that have stayed with me is that everthing is connected at we are what we are taught if i remember correctly. I wrote down a quote " It is unfortunate that Kmtyws must seek foreign approval for anything it's own son or daughter attempts." I will reread this book and add more thoughts to the thread.
Inga, i bôbo. We are what we're taught, we are what we eat/consume and we are what we see. He also talks about what we believe in but these are the three.
QuoteManiKongo;143952 wrote: I agree with you 1000%, I really was thinking the exact same thing about these two books if it's “Kmtyw Cosmology of the BÂNTU-KÔNGO” that you're speaking of. They really are building blocks. In the intro Marimba Ani writes that Fu-Kiau " puts flesh onto the bones of Kmtyw Nationalist ideology" (p. xii).
Every Kmtyw child should read these at least once a year. And what I like is that the Dikenga dia Kongo is always used and it even gives you a better understanding or overstanding sometimes. This symbol is powerful and a lot of knowledge is hidden inside of it.
I haven't read “Heal thy Self” but that's a good example of the interest in re-reading books with that new perspective/knowledge in mind.
The story of his mother and Ma Mukènto (p. 34) was deep. I know for a fact that dreams that tell you about the future can happen, but the thing here is that it's the baby in the womb who came to see her in a dream. One of the best stories I ever heard.
Agreed the story of Ma Mukento was deep, I learned a few lessons from the story,
1) Wisdom knows no age.
2) The story was a great example of listening to one's self, conscious and subconscious, and body/mind.
Our inability to listen to ourselves is the reason why we get sick. You feel a pain on your side and try to toughen it out but your kidney might be saying it's time to get a check up. Moreover If I have an out of character dream I should not immediately dismiss it, but rather I should reflect and draw lessons from it. Furthermore if I can't make sense of the dream, I should realize that my
Kinenga is out of order and should treat it appropriately.
QuoteTenkamenin;144066 wrote: Agreed the story of Ma Mukento was deep, I learned a few lessons from the story,
1) Wisdom knows no age.
2) The story was a great example of listening to one's self, conscious and subconscious, and body/mind.
Our inability to listen to ourselves is the reason why we get sick. You feel a pain on your side and try to toughen it out but your kidney might be saying it's time to get a check up. Moreover If I have an out of character dream I should not immediately dismiss it, but rather I should reflect and draw lessons from it. Furthermore if I can't make sense of the dream, I should realize that my Kinenga is out of order and should treat it appropriately.
1) A mukènto from Cameroon once told me that when she was a child back home, when her Tata was faced with a certain type of situation/decision he would asked her to come stand next to him and then tell him what she thought of the situation. He would often base his decision on her advice though she wasn't more than 10.
2) Indeed, "the complex web of the body's electrical waves"
I like that idea that if you can't make sense of a dream it means you are probably away from the didi (center) therefore disrupting the Kinenga and by doing so you're disrupting "the complex web", how can one kutula (decode) the information properly after that ?
I'm writing some of my my quotes over there:
http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/37525-Self-Healing-Power-and-Therapy
QuoteManiKongo;144177 wrote:
1) A mukènto from Cameroon once told me that when she was a child back home, when her Tata was faced with a certain type of situation/decision he would asked her to comes stand next to him and then tell him what she thought of the situation. He would often base his decision on her advice though she wasn't more than 10.
2) Indeed, "the complex web of the body's electrical waves"
I like that idea that if you can't make sense of a dream it means you are probably away from the didi (center) therefore disrupting the Kinenga and by doing so you're disrupting "the complex web", how can one kutula (decode) the information properly after that ?
1) Whoa! valuable tip on developing a childs critical thinking skills. I will keep this story in my tool chest.
2) You ask a great question on decoding information, since I do not have the luxury of being trained in a school or learning from a master, the road to decoding is going to be approached scientically. Trial and error is my method, and although more mistakes will be made than usual, eventually I will get there.
QuoteTenkamenin;144263 wrote: 1) Whoa! valuable tip on developing a childs critical thinking skills. I will keep this story in my tool chest.
2) You ask a great question on decoding information, since I do not have the luxury of being trained in a school or learning from a master, the road to decoding is going to be approached scientically. Trial and error is my method, and although more mistakes will be made than usual, eventually I will get there.
I'm now conscious that Ngânga Fu-Kiau's books (the 5 that are mentioned in this thread) give a true didi not to move away from whether you're an individual, a family unit, an organization/institution. If you stay focused on these principles you will not drink the poison of white culture, if you ever do you will feel/see/hear in some way that the Kinenga is disrupted. And you have a list of fundamental deviations that are simple and clear: http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/112119-Nkondo-mi-Nzambi-God-s-Prohibitions?p=144178&viewfull=1#post144178 (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/showthread.php/112119-Nkondo-mi-Nzambi-God-s-Prohibitions?p=144178&viewfull=1#post144178)
Of course that's not all there is in the world but there is a lot more to this knowledge also.
One other part of the decoding aspect is the fact that speaking your Kmtyw language opens up "doors" in your mind and in your dna. We'll be closer to the truth when speaking/reading words created by our people b/c they created/used words that were in tune with their spirit and their environment, it can not be compared to speaking/reading it in any foreigner's language. That's simply impossible.
Manikongo, all great points, language is essential to unlocking the mysteries of this unifying force.
Question, is Simba Simbi Maat?
I don't know. I would say that Kinenga (balance) is but Maat is more than just that.
"Sîmbi is the power behind all life" (page 1).
QuoteManiKongo;144390 wrote: I don't know. I would say that Kinenga (balance) is but Maat is more than just that.
"Sîmbi is the power behind all life" (page 1).
Agreed, I re read Simba Simbi and it's not MAAT.
I don't know enough about Maat and next to nothing about Mdw Ntr to correctly make good comparisons/connections but some of the concepts in SHPT do make me think of Maat like the deviation aspect and the "negative confessions" which are about saying that one has not committed a number of specific deviations during his/her life.
I keep these definitions in my mind when understanding Simba Simbi : The key word is Simbi whose root verb in Kikongo is Si^mba = to hold up, to keep, to bless, to treasure, to touch, to retain.
Simbi = has 3 meanings; a keeper. a watch over, someone with power to protect and a living power/energy that holds up everything. Simbi is the power behind all life. pg 1 in Simba Simbi
QuoteAgya Kwaku;144759 wrote: I keep these definitions in my mind when understanding Simba Simbi : The key word is Simbi whose root verb in Kikongo is Si^mba = to hold up, to keep, to bless, to treasure, to touch, to retain.
Simbi = has 3 meanings; a keeper. a watch over, someone with power to protect and a living power/energy that holds up everything. Simbi is the power behind all life. pg 1 in Simba Simbi
Very deep Agya Kwaku, I too keep those words in my head. When I meditate in the morning I allow the flow of thoughts to come through, when the negative thoughts or worries become persistent I say Simba Simbi and they all go away.
I've read a few books on Kmtyw cosmology and this is the first time where I'm moving from memorization of concepts to becoming one with it. I'm more aware of my energy, balance, diet etc.
The great thing about our various Kmtyw Spiritual systems is that they can be integrated with one another. At the root, the cosmology between the various Kmtyw groups are the same, however we have different ways of getting to the didi (center). So in essence,
-I can pour libation in the Akan language
-Say Simba Simbi to generate energy.
- Read Ptah Hoteps words of wisdom
-Dance traditional Ga dances
And still reach the core.
QuoteAgya Kwaku;144759 wrote: I keep these definitions in my mind when understanding Simba Simbi : The key word is Simbi whose root verb in Kikongo is Si^mba = to hold up, to keep, to bless, to treasure, to touch, to retain.
Simbi = has 3 meanings; a keeper. a watch over, someone with power to protect and a living power/energy that holds up everything. Simbi is the power behind all life. pg 1 in Simba Simbi
Inga, i bôbo Tâta Kwaku. The "someone with power to protect" and "a living power/energy that holds up everything" are powerful. The linguistic aspect makes "holding up what holds you up" easily understandable: you need to keep it, treasure it, retain it, kwk. On a scientific level, there are forces that do hold up all of our atoms together, that's a good example.
QuoteTenkamenin;144997 wrote: Very deep Agya Kwaku, I too keep those words in my head. When I meditate in the morning I allow the flow of thoughts to come through, when the negative thoughts or worries become persistent I say Simba Simbi and they all go away.
I've read a few books on Kmtyw cosmology and this is the first time where I'm moving from memorization of concepts to becoming one with it. I'm more aware of my energy, balance, diet etc.
The great thing about our various Kmtyw Spiritual systems is that they can be integrated with one another. At the root, the cosmology between the various Kmtyw groups are the same, however we have different ways of getting to the didi (center). So in essence,
-I can pour libation in the Akan language
-Say Simba Simbi to generate energy.
- Read Ptah Hoteps words of wisdom
-Dance traditional Ga dances
And still reach the core.
[Say aloud as follows: "Hold up that which holds you up, X (insert your name). But it is preferable if you learn to say it in the original language as:
Sîmba Sîmbi, X). Do this anytime and place you want. You will notice some changes in your life.] p.5
That's what you're talking about, that's one of the first thing I remembered from the book. In the research I did to prepare our next Dikenga discussion I've seen similarities with many other Kmtyw symbols/concepts all throughout the continent. Nice list too, and I do believe that this type of alliance of teachings/sciences is what made Kmtyws in places like Ayiti and Palmares this strong and this powerful.
Thank you both Tâta Kwaku and mpângi Tenkamenin for sharing all these thoughts, you're making this thread a very Kongopowerful one, ntôndélé bèni!
I was reading Karenga's translation of Kemetian literature and in the Book of Khun-Anup the author says,
"The balancing of the land lies in Maat- truth, justice and righteousness. Do no speak falsely for you are great; do not act lightly for you have weight; be not untrue for you are the balance and do not swerve for you are the standard. You are on the level with the balance. If it tilts, then, you will lean too. Do not drift, rather steer."
After reading that passage I immediately thought of this thread. :sankofa:
That's what the Mdw Ntr say? Are you speaking of "The Eloquent Peasant" ?
That's what came up first when I searched Khun-Anup and the story makes me think of the Mbôngi book, the Kinzônzi aspect in particular.
@Tenkamenin (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/member.php?u=4877) That passage made me think of a passage in Self Healing Power and Therapy " A word, a teaching, a gift, a laughter or an explanation from a violent and bloody mind has a impact on it's consumer. We are what we consume, learn, hear, see and feel.
Also I think Maat is Simba Simbi. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts
@Tenkamenin That passage made me think of a passage in Self Healing Power and Therapy " A word, a teaching, a gift, a laughter or an explanation from a violent and bloody mind has a impact on it's consumer. We are what we consume, learn, hear, see and feel.
Also I think Maat is Simba Simbi. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
QuoteManiKongo;146363 wrote: That's what the Mdw Ntr say? Are you speaking of "The Eloquent Peasant" ?
That's what came up first when I searched Khun-Anup and the story makes me think of the Mbôngi book, the Kinzônzi aspect in particular.
Yes I forgot to mention that Dr. Karenga renamed the Kemetian books, so yes the book of Khun-Anup is the Eloquent Peasant.
QuoteAgya Kwaku;146458 wrote: @Tenkamenin (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/member.php?u=4877) That passage made me think of a passage in Self Healing Power and Therapy " A word, a teaching, a gift, a laughter or an explanation from a violent and bloody mind has a impact on it's consumer. We are what we consume, learn, hear, see and feel.
Also I think Maat is Simba Simbi. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts
If Simba Simbi is to hold up that which holds you up then MAAT is certainly rooted in it. To me it seems as if Simba Simbi is the force that activates or holds up our entire cosmology, which includes MAAT. As you know in the Akan culture we believe that before one takes a body on this earth the Creator endows in us a message a purpose which we relentlessly try to fulfill. In essence it's Simba Simbi that holds up our divine message/purpose. MAAT governs us, however it's Simba Simbi that holds MAAT up. Our family, Simba Simbi holds that up too, etc.
QuoteTenkamenin;146569 wrote: Yes I forgot to mention that Dr. Karenga renamed the Kemetian books, so yes the book of Khun-Anup is the Eloquent Peasant.
Dr. Jacob Carruthers has the name transliterated as Khun Inpu in his
Mdw Ntr. I think Inpu (transliterated as Inpw) is correct as that is the indigenous name of Anubis, which is said to be part of his name.
(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmedu.ipetisut.com%2Fupload%2F-date07-25-2013time08%3A02%3A20.jpg&hash=d0df3c0fd65fba01e99e5263dfb22256671c0ce8)
QuoteTenkamenin;144282 wrote: Manikongo, all great points, language is essential to unlocking the mysteries of this unifying force.
Question, is Simba Simbi Maat?
I've been following this thread. Ngânga Fu-Kiâu explained the concept to us in Kikôngo class around 2003-2004 before the book was written and I understood sîmbi to be broad enough to incorporate various aspects of Kmtyw spirituality inclusive of, but not limited to, (https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_U5.png&hash=70af1e1cd8922a7c03d4b057f98285f72fe24289)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_D36.png&hash=bfbd9d7133b7caff06b6dc8fb740bafd19c810fe)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_X1.png&hash=91a758b5ad5624bca7003225060840906bcc79b1)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_C10.png&hash=a82d6f02f53a912594ba8af1b2e47553b3147e16) "Maat". Because Sîmbi is that which holds you up, in the course of one's life path, (https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_U5.png&hash=70af1e1cd8922a7c03d4b057f98285f72fe24289)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_D36.png&hash=bfbd9d7133b7caff06b6dc8fb740bafd19c810fe)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_X1.png&hash=91a758b5ad5624bca7003225060840906bcc79b1)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_C10.png&hash=a82d6f02f53a912594ba8af1b2e47553b3147e16) could be what holds one up. At another point along the path, it could be one's own
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"ba"
or one's own
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"ka". I think Sîmbi is broad enough to incorporate these and more, yet specific enough that at any given point in time, one can focus on that specific spiritual (or even physical) phenomenon which is holding one up and is the source of power in one's own life and, in the extended sense, life itself. Sîmba, in turn, is an action, an exhortation, a command for one to hold Sîmbi up and to keep it at the forefront and, in doing so, be actively engaged in choosing life which is the first choice that all Kmtyws chose as a sperm. Any time we violate that first choice that we made, we are going against that which holds us up and life itself and we always face the consequences of choosing incorrectly by choosing death in its various forms.
Dr. O,
Thanks for the clarification, it's empowering to connect all of the dots. Here is another dot I've connected, when an Akom pours libation they start by dropping a bit East, West, North, South and proceed to the center. It's the Didi in which we invoke God, Earth, Abosom, Ancestors, etc.
QuoteTenkamenin;146790 wrote: Dr. O,
Thanks for the clarification, it's empowering to connect all of the dots. Here is another dot I've connected, when an Akom pours libation they start by dropping a bit East, West, North, South and proceed to the center. It's the Didi in which we invoke God, Earth, Abosom, Ancestors, etc.
When you say an "Akom" are you referring to an Ɔkɔmfoɔ?
QuoteObadele Kambon;146792 wrote: When you say an "Akom" are you referring to an Ɔkɔmfoɔ?
Yes I mean an Okomfoo
QuoteTenkamenin;146088 wrote: I was reading Karenga's translation of Kemetian literature and in the Book of Khun-Anup the author says,
"The balancing of the land lies in Maat- truth, justice and righteousness. Do no speak falsely for you are great; do not act lightly for you have weight; be not untrue for you are the balance and do not swerve for you are the standard. You are on the level with the balance. If it tilts, then, you will lean too. Do not drift, rather steer."
After reading that passage I immediately thought of this thread. :sankofa:
On page 80 Part B of Chapter 7 " Keeping One's Balance", what is written there all the way up to the introduction of the deviations is connecting to that.
QuoteAgya Kwaku;146459 wrote: @Tenkamenin (http://www.abibitumikasa.com/forums/member.php?u=4877) That passage made me think of a passage in Self Healing Power and Therapy " A word, a teaching, a gift, a laughter or an explanation from a violent and bloody mind has a impact on it's consumer. We are what we consume, learn, hear, see and feel.
Also I think Maat is Simba Simbi. I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
Inga, i bôbo. I like the connection you made with this passage.
QuoteTenkamenin;146574 wrote: If Simba Simbi is to hold up that which holds you up then MAAT is certainly rooted in it. To me it seems as if Simba Simbi is the force that activates or holds up our entire cosmology, which includes MAAT. As you know in the Akan culture we believe that before one takes a body on this earth the Creator endows in us a message a purpose which we relentlessly try to fulfill. In essence it's Simba Simbi that holds up our divine message/purpose. MAAT governs us, however it's Simba Simbi that holds MAAT up. Our family, Simba Simbi holds that up too, etc.
It really makes me think of the Mbôngi. Since the Mbôngi is the Governance Institution, kedika, kinènga amongst others are fundamental elements of the Mbôngi which points to "MAAT governs us". Sîmbi definitely holds the mbôngi up too.
QuoteObadele Kambon;146781 wrote: I've been following this thread. Ngânga Fu-Kiâu explained the concept to us in Kikôngo class around 2003-2004 before the book was written and I understood sîmbi to be broad enough to incorporate various aspects of Kmtyw spirituality inclusive of, but not limited to, (https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_U5.png&hash=70af1e1cd8922a7c03d4b057f98285f72fe24289)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_D36.png&hash=bfbd9d7133b7caff06b6dc8fb740bafd19c810fe)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_X1.png&hash=91a758b5ad5624bca7003225060840906bcc79b1)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_C10.png&hash=a82d6f02f53a912594ba8af1b2e47553b3147e16) "Maat". Because Sîmbi is that which holds you up, in the course of one's life path, (https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_U5.png&hash=70af1e1cd8922a7c03d4b057f98285f72fe24289)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_D36.png&hash=bfbd9d7133b7caff06b6dc8fb740bafd19c810fe)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_X1.png&hash=91a758b5ad5624bca7003225060840906bcc79b1)(https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_C10.png&hash=a82d6f02f53a912594ba8af1b2e47553b3147e16) could be what holds one up. At another point along the path, it could be one's own | (https://www.abibitumikasa.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbits.wikimedia.org%2Fstatic-1.25wmf21%2Fextensions%2Fwikihiero%2Fimg%2Fhiero_G53.png&hash=a4c1198b4022311cc7ea145d07165e113a4e70ad) |
"ba"
or one's own
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"ka". I think Sîmbi is broad enough to incorporate these and more, yet specific enough that at any given point in time, one can focus on that specific spiritual (or even physical) phenomenon which is holding one up and is the source of power in one's own life and, in the extended sense, life itself. Sîmba, in turn, is an action, an exhortation, a command for one to hold Sîmbi up and to keep it at the forefront and, in doing so, be actively engaged in choosing life which is the first choice that all Kmtyws chose as a sperm. Any time we violate that first choice that we made, we are going against that which holds us up and life itself and we always face the consequences of choosing incorrectly by choosing death in its various forms.
The "first choice" makes me think of the part of SHPT that I mentioned above. "Every action committed by a human being has an indicating needle that oscillates[...]" p.81
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHkxP4VFLJw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHkxP4VFLJw)
"Ghanda is to join the circle of nganga and become, oneself, nganga, a doer"
This particular passage made me think of all the college graduates I run into with MBAs that can't create employment for themselves. A Master in the Kmtyw context is to be a doer....period!
QuoteTenkamenin;149126 wrote: "Ghanda is to join the circle of nganga and become, oneself, nganga, a doer"
This particular passage made me think of all the college graduates I run into with MBAs that can't create employment for themselves. A Master in the Kmtyw context is to be a doer....period!
In Kôngo society, "Everyone is a free individual and a doer/specialist," Muna Kôngo mfumu na mfumu, ngânga na ngânga. A Mukôngo was accepted as such, as an Ngânga in his community if he only could be a doer of something for the well-being of the community; kala ye salu, to have "métier". (ACBK p.32)
I was on youtube searching for videos on Dr. Fu-Kiau and I came across this clip
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND-DgU7x4Zo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ND-DgU7x4Zo)
After viewing the clip I did a quick search on Dharma and this is what I found,
"The word dharma comes from the ancient religions of India and is found in Hindu and Jain teachings as well as Buddhist. Its original meaning is something like "natural law." Its root word, dham, means "to uphold" or "to support." In this broad sense, common to many religious traditions, dharma is that which upholds the natural order of the universe."
If only our people knew about the richness of our religions instead of promoting stuff like Kmtyw Buddhisim.
QuoteTenkamenin;149785 wrote:
If only our people knew about our rich religions instead of promoting stuff like Kmtyw Buddhisim.
Inga, i kedika! (Yes, it is true). No need to go outside for anything at all. That definition of dharma is quite interesting especially if you take in consideration that the most ancient inhabitants of these lands were Black. Some things just make you scratch your head once you have read Fu-Kiau's works, for example muslims circle the ka'ba 7 times counter-clockwise...
In Kmtyw Cosmology of the Bantu Kongo, Dr. Fu-Kiau lists 11 daily expressions of the Muntu, I need help in understanding 2 of them:
1) Kala/ba kimpa mu bimpa-be a system within systems
2)Kala/ba diela mu bimpa muntu-be wise and sensible to human systems
Thanks
Here's another daily expression I need help understanding,
Kala/ba n'kongo ye n'konguludi a kanda-be a Mukongo and judge of his community.
QuoteTenkamenin;149952 wrote: In Kmtyw Cosmology of the Bantu Kongo, Dr. Fu-Kiau lists 11 daily expressions of the Muntu, I need help in understanding 2 of them:
1) Kala/ba kimpa mu bimpa-be a system within systems
2)Kala/ba diela mu bimpa muntu-be wise and sensible to human systems
Thanks
1) In page 42 it says that the Mûntu is "a system of systems, the pattern of patterns in being".
QuoteManiKongo;149995 wrote: 1) In page 42 it says that the Mûntu is "a system of systems, the pattern of patterns in being".
If I'm reading it right, expression 1 and 2 complimemt each other. To be a system within a system is another way of saying be wise and sensible to human beings.