Hon. El Hajj Khallid Abdul Muhammad Day-National Observance

Honoring "the life and legacy" of Dr. Khallid Muhammad, the Zulu Nation has announced an annual national day of observance on January 12th. Born Harold Moore, Jr in 1948 in Houston, Texas, the scholar, mentor, orator, lyricist and leader, joined the Nation of Islam under the leadership of the Hon. Elijah Muhammad after hearing a lecture by Min. Louis Farrakhan, then national representative of the NOI. It was Min. Farrakhan who gave him the name "Khallid" meaning "great warrior". While his accompishments are too numerous to list, many will remember him for the 1998 confrontation with the Klan in Jasper, Texas where our brother James Byrd was chained by white racists and dragged behind a truck until his body was dis-membered. The Klan rallied in support of the killers and were met by the New Black Panther Party for Self-Defense. Dr. Khallid was a founding member of the study group that created the holiday GYE Nyame..a culturally relevant means of giving thanks as an alternative to the traditional Thanksgiving Day. _{this info comes from: http:www.zulunation.com}

BLACK HISTORY MONTH-Month of February

"The Father of Black History" Dr. Carter G. Woodson started "Negro History Week" in 1926 in response to the dearth of information on the contributions of African people to the history of America.. During the 1970's Negro History Week (the 2nd week of February) became BLACK History Week and later was expanded to a month-long celebration, thus Black History Month. Through lectures, forums, school plays, community cultural festivities, participants seek to learn, educate the youth,and acknowledge the achievements of our local and national heroes, inventors, scientists, educators and freedom fighters. Museums, Encyclopedias, Documentaries and websites provide a wealth of inspiration for your own activity planning.AFRO-AM MUSEUM
http://www.afroam.org/index.html
http://www.grandeprairie.org/blackhistory.html
Do You Know These Faces ?

DAISY BATES

In 2002 and thereafter, Arkansas will honor Daisy Bates on the 3rd Monday of February for her historical contribution to the Civil Rights struggle to desegregate the Little Rock bus system and the public school system.
When the 'Little Rock Nine' entered Central High with an army escort because of the rioting hate filled segregationists, it was Daisy Bates who prepared the youth to walk into history.
Daisy Bates died in 1999 at age 84, yet lives on as a symbol of pride in our hearts.

AKOMA...February 13

A "wholly" day; a commemorative holiday when love is demonstrated through service, celebration, reconciliation. "Black Love Day" uplifts all our loving relationships, reflecting our spiritual values and cultural heritage.. During the 24 hour period, at least 5 loving acts must be performed showing love for

February 30th Job's Birthday...Job prayed to have the day of his birth blotted out ! Ancestor Honor Day,  March 29, 1999.  AAHA introduced a new national, commemorative holiday to honor the non-military, contributions of all ancestors, pre-Memorial Day

National Malcolm X Day May 19th National Malcolm X Day From Detroit Red to El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, to Omowale, Malcolm X was born May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska and was assassinated February 21, 1965 in the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. His life's story is told in the Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley. Today, Malcom X is remembered for founding the Organization of African American Unity and for his bold stance on behalf of Black people everywhere. The people do not seek the government's approval for this holiday, only the support of the African/African American community in honoring the life and the example set by our "Prince". National Malcolm X Day is observed every May 19th.

National Blackout Day

On MAY 20thBlack people across the USA are asked to refrain from spending money with the intention of sending the message that:

• We are not a minority

• Our dollars impact the economic system

"What a child says. he has learned at home" West African Proverb

African Liberation Day

African Liberation Day was founded in 1958 at the first Conference of Independent African States in Accra, Ghana, hosted by Prime Minister Kwame Nkrumah. When independent African countries formed the Organization of African Unity in 1963, May 25th was chosen as the new date to observe liberation struggles against colonialism. It is a Pan African concern, uniting Africans on the mother continent with Africans in the diaspora because the source of oppression is the same, racism and exploitation. The All African People's Revolutionary Party, headed by Kwame Toure (formerly Stokely Carmichael) has been instrumental in ALD observances world wide.http://www.globalafrica.com/Call2000.htm

June 19th

The oldest of African American holidays is celebrated in memory of the learning of freedom from chattel slavery in America. In 1860 and 1861 seven southern slave states seceded from the U.S. forming the Confederate States of America. More states joined later. In 1862, Pres. Abraham Lincoln notified those states that if they did not rejoin the Union he would free the slaves. The Emacipation Proclamation of 1863 freed the slaves of those rebel states but not in all of America.. The slaves rejoiced when word of their freedom reached them, but this freedom was not enforced until the Confederate states were defeated. The 13th Amendment which abolished slavery thoughout the country was passed by Congress January 31, 1865 and signed Feb 1, 1865 by Lincoln. Word reached the Africans gradually from 1863 to 1865 throughout the USA, thus the differing dates of celebrations. In Texas and western Louisiana it was in 1865 on June 19th or "Juneteenth".

4th of July or 4th of 'You Lie" ???

BLACK AUGUST Observed in honor of freedom fighters in the diaspora and political prisoners; during the 70's in the California prison system, the founding Brothers and Sisters wore black arm bands on their left arm; fasted from sunrise to sunset; shunned tv and radio in favor of seriously studying revolutionary works. Great emphasis is placed on discipline, resisting oppression, unity, organization, political education and physical training. "They made it as hot for the enemy as the month of August" writes Sundiata Acoli. "Carry on the tradition" Haitian Rebellion 8/1791 Nat Turner Rebellion 8/1831 Underground Railroad began 8/1892 Marcus Garvey b. 8/1887 First Africans Arrived in chains 8/1619 The March on Washington 8/1971 REDBLACKGREEN OUR FLAG 8/13/1920

Hon. Marcus Mosiah Garvey

Aug 17, 1887


Poems of Marcus Garvey

"Life and Lessons"

UNIA-ACL Org.


ATLANTAMarcus Garvey Day 2000..Saturday August 19, 2000 3-8 pm Mozley Park 1655 MLK Jr. Drive Atlanta...Drumming, Dancers, Market Place, Artists, Edutainers..Be there !


Harlem August 2000

"Redeem The Dream" March on Washington August 26, 2000

This date is observed in commemoration of the August 28, 1963 March on Washington, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who delivered the famous "I Have A Dream" speech before 300,000 people.

Thirty-seven years later, Martin L. King, III, now President and CEO of the < a href="http://sclcnational.org"> Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) , and Rev.Al Sharpton, head of the National Action Network, led a March on Washington that focused on police brutality and racial profiling. "Police misconduct, brutality and racial profiling are tarnishing the dream," said Rev. Sharpton. We do not think all police are bad, but we do think bad police must be punished."

In 1957 Dr. King co-founded the SCLC to promote human rights, the end of racial discrimination and segregation, non-violence and voter registration.

"We all need to be reminded that the dream my father lived and died for has not yet been attained," said Martin Luther King, III
For more information about SCLC programs or membership: http://sclcnational.org

Happily Natural Day Saturday, August 23, 2003 @ Noon Black History Museum & Cultural Center 00 Clay St. Richmond, VA A celebration in Black Beauty. Admission is $5.00 per person. There will be a Natural Hair Exhibition, a series of lectures & workshops ranging in emphasis from the cultural importance of an African Centered aesthetic to how to take care of your natural hair. Special guests include Queen Quet-Chieftess of the Gullah/ Geechie Nation, Eric Ture Muhammad revolutionary activist/ Final Call correspondent and son of the late revolutionary Kwame Ture, Dr. Llaila Afrika, plus many more. Join us for a day of edutainment, complete with vendors, music, spoken word poetry, food, and fun as we challenge the myth that natural hair is socially unacceptable. Contact: Duron Chavis 804-780-9093 or duronchavis@yahoo.com

EMANCIPATION DAY

Many communities celebrate emancipation from slavery on different dates throughout the diaspora.

GHANA..."Ghanaian Pres. Jerry Rawlings called... for a bond between Africans on the continent and in the diaspora to ensure unity and progress of the Black race" Reported Reuters July 1998. "Among us, we have many complimentary resources, skills and talents. Divided, we can achieve ony relatively modest gains.Together, we can create prosperity and address the causes of poverty, ignorance and strife." At this, the first Emacipation celebration hosted in Africa,the theme was "OUR HERITAGE. OUR STRENGTH". The 9 day event included drumming, music, a sketch, "Musu", told the story of how Africans betrayed other Africans into slavery, a march along a slave route, reburial of two slaves of Ghanaian origin from Jamaica and the USA. Previously, this celebration has been held only in the Caribbean.

Gallipolis, Ohio...September 16 & 17, 2000 at ther Gallia County Fairgrounds...has been celebrated continuosly since 1863 and is reported to be the longest continuously running celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation in the USA. Expect food, vendors, speakers, many fun activities . Bring your lawn chairs and umbrellas as most activities are planned for outdoors. For more info...call 740-446-6471, or email lwf@coax.net. See website 137th Annual Emancipation Day Celebration

NEW BEDFORD, MASS...August 1, 1834 the Brittish West Indies Africans were freed.Some travelled to New Bedford, which was already a stop on the Underground Railroad. The Black Professionsal Association is considering the possibility of renewing observance of this celebration which predates, Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.
Way to go !



Clarksburg, WV Black Heritage Festival celebrating Emancipation Day annually on the 2nd Saturday and Sunday..September 9,10 2000. Food, art, free entertainment and more. Where: E.B. Saunders Way (formerly Water Street) Clarksburg, WV. For more info: 304-623-2335

May 9, 1862 The Proclamation of General David Hunter, Commander of the Dept. of the South, freed Africans enslaved in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

BLACK FAMILY DAY

On the first Sunday of October, the Black community will celebrate the coming together of family. We will remember the ancestors, the Bloods lost defending their own countries against colonialism, those martyred in the struggle, elders and family members present and separated by miles and/or broken relationships. It will be a day of forgiving and seeking forgiveness; contacting those we have lost touch with; celebrating accomplishments and offering encouragement where needed. Although, this celebration originates in the UK, we would like to see the ONE LOVE spread throughout the diaspora. Family is important ! Too many of us are cut off from family support. Let us re- create and welcome the age old tradition of extended family. Aid adoptees making connections with biological families. Become a Big Sister- Big Brother- Big Mama to our younger generation who would benefit from experiencing a loving family support system. Re-visit and rekindle family values and family traditions. Share our history with the youth. Plan family activities with our children in mind. For more info: go to http://www.blacknet.co.uk/familyday/ or click here

MILLION MAN MARCH October 16, 1995

At dawn drumbeats called together, in greeting, the convergence of one million Black men to disprove the largely held belief that we,as a people, can not/will not unite, organize, work together, for our common good. Over the hurdles that separate this great nation within a nation--geographical, social, economical, political, denominational, physical, philosophical, generational--one million men travelled to D.C. called by Nation of Islam leader, Minister Louis Farrakhan and organized by grassroots organizations nationwide. The purpose and general theme, atonement, self determination, reconcilation and restoration, attracted approximately 12,000 busloads, & thousands more by car, train and plane. The city's 20,000 hotel rooms were all booked but many brought backpacks anticipating sleeping under the stars. 40 recovering addicts and their counselors had set out on foot from Philly enroute to the historic event. The Million Man March-not just a march but a movement.

After distress, solace.Swahili Proverb

UMOJA KARAMU In 1971, Dr. Edward Sims introduced the "Unity Feast" ritual as a way of teaching solidarity, Black values, appreciation of our heritage and knowledge of our history. The ritual is based on 5 periods of African American life, each represented by a color. The Black Family: Prior to Slavery (black) In Slavery (white) Upon Emancipation (red) Struggle for Liberation (green) Looking to the Future (gold) During the ceremony, each period is discussed or taught and the five colors are represented by the foods chosen. Emphasis is placed on the commitment to strive together in harmony, never losing our understanding of the value of family unity. Umoja Karamu is celebrated on the 4th Sunday of November.

"Christmas Gift ! "

December 25th A greeting in the south; began during our enslavement- On Christmas morning, instead of Merry Christmas, whoever said "Christmas Gift" first, received a gift. Later, it was heard through out the Christmas season by the elder Souls, the keepers of our traditions.
There have been stories told by the elders, from the days of the Maafa, describing the celebration
of "Old Christmas" on January 5th or 6th on which our enslaved ancestors were given a day off from their labor. And there is " Chilmers Day " observed December 28th in Maryland, during the Maafa, in honor of the infants Herod slaughtered in search of the infant Jesus. No work was done on this day. Animal Christmas / Praise Day / Ole Christmas - At midnight on Old Christmas the catlle are said to kneel to pray. On this day many strange things are reported to happen: fox hounds won't hunt; day breaks twice;; the enslaved didn't work.
John Kuner On Christmas Eve in parts of North Carolina during antebellum days the John Kuners, dressed in colorful rag costumes, masks, parade singing and dancing and playing of triangles, cowbells and harmonicas.

only when lions have historians will hunters cease being heroes. -- african proverb

MUAT READING HOUR

The weekly gathering of the Patrusi (African descended people) in homes, libraries or ParAnk (cultural center) to read for one hour. Other activities may be planned prior to and/or following the 7p.m. Muat Reading Hour and the each community chooses the reading material. While not a religious observance, the principles of Maat (truth, justice, righteousness, order,balance, harmony, reciprocity) are embraced and esteemed and open to adherents of "traditional" beliefs. Observed weekly: Muat (Sat) 1900-2000 (7-8p.m.) For more Patrusi observances see the Patrusi Kalendar.
http://www.geocities.com/RodeoDrive/Outlet/8743/PatrusiKalendar.html

The Hon. Marcus Garvey Day
Dr. M.L. King, Jr. Day
Million Family March
Candlewalk !
Easter Rock !
St. John's Day
John Kuner
Pinkster
Foot-washin'
Mother Lavendar Dinner
.. and more !



Holidays continued

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