This paper seeks to examine the ancient Kemetic science known today as astrology and discern its usefulness in benefiting people of African descent in the contemporary era. Based upon documented historical evidence, research material, and theorization apprehended from an Afrocentric standpoint the author is attempting to succinctly present a body of scientific knowledge that can develop and advance the idea of astrology as a wholistic human endeavor conceived in ancient Africa which can be and has been useful to Africa and her people. Astrology has helped humanity to make sense of life, nature, seasons, movements of times, powers and is included within the discipline of astronomy, one the seven liberal arts, including, grammar, rhetoric, philosophy, logic, geometry, mathematics and the arts. These ancient disciplines are a necessary part of each other and are studied holistically, even today. However, Europeanization has created a problem in translating these ancient African ideas, castigating its intrinsic feminine elements, separating its mythological aspects from its astronomical parts, and despiritualizing the science. Using Cheikh Anta Diop’s Two Cradle Theory, that cultures distinguish humans and behavior, it will be argued that cultural orientation is a fundamental reason why Europeans have struggled from antiquity to the present to understand astrology, a science birthed from African culture. Moreover, it is argued that owing to the deep structure of culture, people of African descent can study ancient African episteme to awaken cultural memory to understand values and beliefs and potentially (re)turn (Sankofa) to the past and comprehend and appreciate a science culturally grounded in African episteme. Ultimately, it is hoped that in this translation of astrology, which embraces the significance of Ma’at in all life and existence, it is possible through viewing astrology in its ancient light, to restore Ma’at or balance, harmony, order, righteousness, and truth in the lives of people of African descent. The ultimate goal would be to foster peace, Ma’at among humanity. / African American Studies

As the direct descendants of the first human beings, African people are the supreme witnesses of Creation itself, and senior authorities regarding the earthly Creations. African people bear supreme witness to humanity, and the most effective methods of being human: the biology and chemistry of life, the physiological and metaphysical aspects of earthly existence, and the science of the cosmic Creations--observing all that is above and what exists there, beyond the sky. By definition humanity is African: the first human beings were African and the first defining innovations of humanity were birthed in Africa. Since history is necessarily a study of the origins of humanity, and the first humans were African, history then must initiate at the emergence of humankind, which took place in Africa. The records left and maintained by the oldest humans on earth--written, memorized, or otherwise--provide amazing clues as to the initial Creation and subsequent development of humankind. As each successive generation works to strengthen the collective memory of their own people's past before conquer, the struggle to remember memories and to keep traditions intact becomes even more evident. As with every epic turn of events, the conquered are forced to decide if they will remain as such or not. This paper explores the ways in which the African worldview provides a critical and otherwise impossible analysis of human history, by exploring the oldest contributions of the first human beings--who were African. I argue that the ancient Kemetic worldview--Mdw Ntr--provides a prototypical blueprint for every African's self-liberation, creating a context through which contemporary freedom struggles can ultimately be assessed and achieved. In particular, this paper examines how the ancient Kemetic worldview has, since its inception, presented a working method of thinking and doing--seeing with Sia--which not only inspired successive African generations, but also the freedom struggles of contemporary African communities. Mdw Ntr is both a theory and a methodology: it encompasses a way of seeing reality, while also providing exact methods for how to go about this process. I propose that the notion of Sia--or "exceptional clarity"--is an actionable blueprint exemplified in the Shabaka Text and The Great Hymn to Aten. Both texts provide a methodology for achieving Sia; both texts speak to the fundamental processes of Mdw Ntr; and both texts exhibit a working model for self-liberation through the ancient Kemetic worldview. In order for human beings to manifest power--to be empowered--they must ultimately think with "exceptional clarity" and speak their intentions into existence. To be effective, one cannot speak without thinking, or do without first thinking and speaking. According to the ancient Kemites, thinking is the first step in speaking and also doing. Thinking initiates all actions: the more exceptional the clarity, the better. Hence, self-liberation emerges and subsequently, the collective liberation of African people. / African American Studies

This study provides a foundational framework for Afrocentric translation. Afrocentric translation in which Afrikan languages and their Pan-Afrikan cultural context, transgenerationally and transcontinentally, are central in the interpretation of Afrikan texts (written or oral) and, thus, ensuring that Afrikan people are the subjects in the episteme of the translation process. The two languages of focus in this study are Medew Netcher, the Kemetic language, and the Jamaican language. The basic grammatical features of Medew Netcher will be explained from an Afrocentric perspective through Jamaican translations. More specifically, the analysis shows that the equational juxtaposition system reflects the Afrikan notion of ontological unity, the verbal paradigm is reflective of the Afrikan notion of time, and it also shows how Afrikan existential concepts of existence and knowledge manifest in the grammar of Medew Netcher and Jamaican. In addition, this study includes the first translation of a Kemetic text in an Ebonics language as an exemplar for large-scale Afrocentric translation of a text. Overall, this study provides a foundational framework for the Africological study of Afrikan language. / African American Studies