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TEHUTI  NEWS

FIRST WORLD CONFERENCE

& EGYPT STUDY TOUR, 2006

HIGHLIGHTS

by Reba Ashton-Crawford

As you may know, this year's Egypt Study Tour was combined with the First World Conference, 2006.  The theme was Re-educating the African in the 21st Century.  In the spirit of the First Pan-Africanist Congress convened in London in 1900 as a response to the call by Edward Wilmot Blyden, this conference addressed many issues pertinent to Africans on the continent and in the Diaspora.  The conference was a resounding success! Delegates representing the United States, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa joined us from Cairo to Nubia for this historic event.  Among our special guests were Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz, distinguished professor of mathematics, Mrs. Sybil Williams-Clarke, the wife of the late, beloved Dr. John Henrik Clarke, the Honorable David Karimanzira, Governor of Harare, Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Egypt and our dear brother, Dr. Keith Gilyard, distinguished professor of English, Penn State University.

During the day, we followed our usual itinerary for the historic sites in Egypt, however, our evenings were filled with lively discussions and debates on topics ranging from land reformation in Zimbabwe, to teaching models in China, the crisis of education, to the question of Hip-Hop as a new African religion. Our presenters included Dr. A. Omar Shuriye (Ethiopia/Malaysia), Gov. David Karimanzira (Zimbabwe), Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz (USA), Prof. Christopher Williams (USA/China), Profs Cynthia Barrow-Giles & Natalie Walthrust-Jones (St. Vincent & Barbados, respectively), Mr. Eddy Petit (USA), Dr. Chenzira Kahina (USVI), Sister Sybil Williams-Clarke (USA/Jamaica), Dr. Terri Nelson (USA), and Mr. Keidi Obi Awadu (USA).  See Conference Topics & Presenters at bottom of page.

The John Henrik Clarke-C.L.R. James African World Research Institute broke some valuable ground by including such a wide and representative audience and presenters from many constituencies in the African World. This event was truly a pan-African meeting, one which John  Henrik Clarke and C.L.R. James would be proud to be associated with.

Our route took us to Men-Nefer (Memphis) & Saqqara, Giza, Aswan, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut's three-terrace temple, the Ramesseum, Medinet Habu, Colossi of Amenhotep III ("Memnon"), Abydos and Dendera and other magnificent structures. As expected, everyone fell in love with Aswan.  When we arrived there, our Nubian brothers opened the conference proceedings with a wonderful greeting of traditional drumming, singing and dancing. It was truly beautiful. We sailed up the Nile in luxury in the same way we supposed those of the royal court did. We retraced the foot prints of our ancient ancestors and  we stood in awe of the monuments and the great legacy they left for us.  Many of the temples have been rescued from obscurity from the unforgiving Sahara and reclaimed from strangers of old who were oblivious to their significance.  Moreover, a vortex of energy still permeates the places once peopled by the likes of Seti I, Ramesses the Great, Nefertari II,  Queen Hatshepsut, Amenhotep III, Queen Tiye, Akhenaton & Nefertiti, Tutankhamen,  Taharka, Imhotep, Djoser, Khufu, and a whole host of other royals, nobles, and everyday Kemetians (Egyptians).  See our Photo Gallery.

Troy, Dr. Crawford, Mrs. Sybil Williams-Clarke, & Mrs. Fannie Clark at Luxor Temple

A word about Sister Sybil:  She is incredible.  Not only is she strong and quick witted but her presence there added a special element to the trip.  When she made the declaration several months ago that she wanted to accompany us to Egypt we were a little concerned that she may not be able to navigate all of the sites.  Well...she proved us completely wrong.  At 83, Sister Sybil did not miss a beat. We all knew that Dr. Clarke's spirit was there with her. We were blessed to be in her company as she was always willing to share her knowledge and wisdom with us.

 

Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz of Lincoln University was an equally wonderful addition to our conference and tour.  Dr. Shabazz is a mathematician and computer scientist who is responsible for training the largest number of Black Ph.Ds in mathematics in the United States of America. He delivered a poignant presentation on education that truly edified the attendees. While on the tour, two words adequately described Dr. Shabazz: quiet grace.        Dr. Abdulalim A. Shabazz on site at Giza pyramids     Keidi Obi Awadu at work and on site at the Aswan quarries Keidi Obi Awadu of LIB Radio accompanied us on the tour and also gave a  presentation.   Bro. Keidi was busy with his camera and, of course, his congenial personality endeared him to all the folks on the tour.  He will report his Egypt experience to the LIB radio family listeners and plans to join us again next year.   We had an optional one-day tour to Alexandria.  It was important to witness the contrast between the work of the indigenous African architects and artisans of Egypt and the work of their Greco-Roman counterparts in Alexandria after the invasion. Sites visited were the Roman catacombs, the magnificent Montazah Palace (the former summer residence of Egypt’s ex-king Fatih), the massive red granite pillar of "Pompey", the Citadel of Qaitbey,  the beautiful Alexandria Museum, we dined with a view of the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop and, of course, no visit to the Mediterranean coast would be complete without visiting the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.  It is the 21st Century version of the great Library of Alexandria. We know that the old ancient library was plundered and pillaged after the invasion of Alexander of Macedonia.  Nonetheless, the new library is quite beautiful and for us one its highlights is that Dr. Crawford's book, Recasting Ancient Egypt in the African Context is among the libraries prized collection. Outwardly, he was a little nonchalant about it but, silently, I think he was a little excited.

Conference Presenters and Topics

Gov. David Karimanzira (Harare, Zimbabwe), The Global Impact of the Land Reform Programme in Zimbabwe and its Significance to Africa and the African World

Dr. A. Omar Shuriye (Ethiopia/Malaysia), The Politics of Humanitarian Intervention and Conflict Management: An African Context

Dr. Abdulalim Shabazz (USA), Deepening Crisis in the Education of African People

Prof. Christopher Williams (USA/China), Teaching in China:  A Black Man's Journey

Profs. Cynthia Barrow-Giles & Natalie Walthrust-Jones (St. Vincent & Barbados, respectively), Gender, Socio-economic  and Political Participation in the Commonwealth Caribbean

Mr. Eddy Petit (USA), Is Hip-hop the Latest African-Centered Religious System?

Dr. Chenzira Kahina (USVI), Ra-clamation of Sacred Ancestry Through Natural Transformational Rhythms & Therapies

Sister Sybil Williams-Clarke (USA/Jamaica), Conversation/Reflections on John Henrik Clarke

Dr. Terri Nelson (USA), Ka Ab Ba Building the Lighted Temple: African Centered Spiritual & Psychological Wellness

Mr. Keidi Obi Awadu (USA), Using Technology to Advance Our Self-Interests

Each presenter had an hour to deliver his or her presentation, which was  followed by an extended question and answer session. A book on the conference proceedings is forthcoming, Spring 2007.

Special Thanks to:

Our Creator and our loving Ancestors whose guidance, protection and wisdom provided the vision, determination

 and direction for this conference and tour.

 Keidi Obi Awadu, Host & Founder of LIB Radio for his unwavering support and participation and the LIB Radio Family.  Walter Turner, Host - KPFA, Africa Today, Berkeley, CA

Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, Host, Wake Up Detroit, Detroit, MI

Basir Mchawi, Host, WBAI, Education at the Crossroads, New York, NY

Senator Ronald E. Russell, Host, Beyond Politics, 970 AM, St. Croix, USVI.

Prof. Gene Emmanuel, UVI and  1340 AM, St. Thomas, www.wsta.com

Natalie Tang How, Host, The People’s Pulse with Natalie, WTJX, Channel 12, PBS, St. Croix, USVI

Brothers Ras Manny & Africa Southwell, Hosts, Strength-to-Strength 1340 AM, St. Thomas, www.wsta.com

Cromwell Smith, Host, Umoja, ZBVI, 780 A.M., British Virgin Islands.

Pastor Thelma Youngblood, Kingshill Lutheran Church, St. Croix, USVI.

Pastor Louis Davis, St. Luke’s AME Church, St. Croix, USVI

Host, University of the Virgin Islands, St Croix, USVI.

Ája, Host, Ája Productions, Bridgetown, Barbados, WI

Tony & Joan Show, Hosts, CBC Radio, Barbados, WI

John King, Host, Chat Room, CBC-TV, Barbados, WI

Carol Richards, Host, Good Morning Barbados, CBC-TV, Barbados, WI

Andrea King, Columnist, Nation Newspaper, Barbados, WI

John Leacock (Big John) Host, CFRU Radio, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Bro. Natty, Host, Everyone’s Place: Afrikan Culture Forum. WOLB 1010 AM Baltimore, MD

Firpo Carr, Host, Firpo Carr Show: Progressive Talk Radio, 1150 AM, Burbank, CA

Ras Kofi, Host, Musical Healers, 89.3 FM WRFG, Atlanta, GA

Sister Karen Mason of Destiny-Agency, karen@destinyagency.com, Atlanta, GA

Ras Takuma, Host, Roots-N-Kulture Bookstore, Fort Worth, TX

Orion Gordon, Technician, Trinidad and Tobago, WI

Linda Karim Nubian Village Academy, Richmond, VA (805) 329-3900

Gunter Shipping, 1565 Bergen Street, Brooklyn, NY 11213, 718-604-2692

Suz’ Group Family Day Care, 1987 Rockaway Parkway, Brooklyn, New York  (718) 763-0973

bush baby Coffee and Tea House, 1197 Fulton St., Brooklyn, New York, 718-636-5336

Sahle Hamit, Host, Caricom Caribbean Cuisine, 726 N. La Brea Ave., Inglewood, CA (310) 680-2955

Vimbai Chivaura, Host, Zimbabwe University, English Department, Harare, Zimbabwe, Southern Africa

    Hon. Stanley Straughter, Chairman, Philadelphia Mayor's Commission on African and Caribbean Immigrants Affairs

Ms. Ina Mills, Prof. Safiya Bandele, Black Business Community of Brooklyn, New York for making contributions toward student participation in this Study Tour & Conference and the attendees of our 5^th Annual Study Tour and Conference.

Reba Ashton-Crawford for all of her tireless help and support.