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Over the last couple of months I have received numerous requests asking for the meaning of the term "HOTEP". It is ironic, because last week I was asked by some of my students to explain the term, after one student heard the word used in a debate on the "Tom Pope Radio Programme". (Part of the Powernomics Broadcasting Network) This is roughly the response that I gave. First allow me to paraphrase my deceased brother, Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad, 'words by themselves without their historical,environmental, and human understand have no relevance whatsoever.' Every word comes from a thought, and every word leads to some form of human action. Therefore, words spoken out of the context of our cosmology engenders inappropriate thoughts and actions. Dr. Jacob Carruthers, drawing the Hedu Ntr (Neter), the Sacred language of our ancestors, refers to the "Sep Tepy" (the time of creation). In concrete the "Sep Tepy" symbolizes "Ra" (the Sun God) arises from "Nun"(the watery matter). References to this can be found in the 'Parparus of Ani' to be found in Maulana Karenga's "Husia" and "Book of Coming Forth By Day" or Wallis Budge's "Book of the Dead". In light of this what does it explain about our ancestors? (a) One can clearly argue that they are a "Spiritual People", not a religious people. The difference between these 'Asilis' (ideological core underlying a culture) can be witnessed by the way Afrikans celebrate the presence of "The All", as so vividly described in the Kyballion's "Principles of Correspondence'. As children growing up in an Afrikan community, one can recall, saying "Good Morning" or "Good Evening" and so forth. In any traditional village in Afrika, those who are younger than yourself must greet you with honour. The symbolism of this behaviour is not the 'deconstruction' term "Good Manners" but the holistic celebration of "Sacred Being". No "One Day" Christian, Muslim, or Hebrew. "The All" do not exist outside of our being, there is no Whiteman with a bushy beard living behind the clouds. "The All" embodies us as one, in a tapestry of oneness, and the "Spirit", that holds us together, is symbolic in the way(s) we relate to each other. In the historical period, of Osar, Isis, and Horu, (the Kemetic deity) the Metu Neter (Sacred Text) was all omnipotent. Even the link between the concrete and the abstract was a fundamental aspect of 'Good Living'. The guiding thoughts and principles were symbolized by "Maat", whereas the actions were manifested by "Maat's" inseparable "other half" (Husband) "Tehuti". As Bro Dr. Oba T'Shaka, Book, 'Return to the African Mother Principle of Male and Female Equality' (Vol 1) explained, "Afrikans...have the responsibility to transform 'western science' (constructed on a Kemetic, Chinese, Islamic foundation) into a cosmic, sacred science that recognizes the inseperate nature of the spiritual and the material" (p157) Since we are on 'western society' may I crave your indulgence, in establishing a few facts. The Guyanese Afrikan Dr. George James, in his classic, 'Stolen Legacy' proves that 'Greek Philosophy', was stolen from Kemetic Philosophy. Through careful documentation Dr. James shows that Greece leading 'Philosohers', Pythagoras,Thales,Anaxinmander,Anaximenes, Democratus, Socrates,Plato,Xenophanes,Parmenides,Zeno,Malisus,Empedoles,and Anaxagoras, were all trained in the Kemetic "Mystery System". In support of this gross act of intellectual property thief by 'Western Scholarship', Prof. Theophile Obenga, 'Ancient Egypt and Black Africa',proved conclusively that the word 'Philosophy' did not originate from the 'Greek 'Language. When the two words are broken down "Philo" means love and "Sophon" means 'wisdom or 'science'. Also, according to Prof. Obenga, "Logos" which means 'reason'is to compartmentalize ideas without reforming them into a whole.( Here lies the cultural 'Problem' in teaching Afrikan children using a Eurocentric curriculum paradymn. Western teachers use a 'particularistic' approach, by compartmentalizing knowledge into subjects, whereas Afrikans use a 'Holistic' approach, whereby to learn one area is to learn all areas of knowledge.) Prof. Obenga, in a seminar at the, Association for the Study of Classical Afrikan Civilization (ASCAC) conference held in Feb. 1998, at City College of New York, linguistically shows that the etymological term "PHILOSOPHIA" derived from the Kemetic derivative word "SB3wt,T, SEBA" to be found in the "Pyramid Text" far out dating the very existence of a "Greece". In fact Isocrates (436-338 BCE) designated Kemet as the cradle of medicine, for the well-being of the body, and philosophy for the well-being of the 'Soul'(Imhotep being the Father). For the 'Soul' the Sage (Priest) revealed the practice of philosophy (tais de psychais philosophias askesim katedeoksan ) which can, at the same time, set some rules and look for the nature of things. Therefore, at the end of each day, the Male,(Tehuti) whose role was to protect the 'Matrilineal and Matrifogal' structure of the society, would go before 'Maat' to be cleansed. With their left hand holding their 'crutches' and their right hand raised with their palm opened, they recite the 42 confessions of Maat. Ten of these confessions are used today as part of the 'Moses story' (Dr. Josef ben Jochanon 'The Black Man and His Family of The Nile') In 'western' jurisprudence and psychology, the Principles of Maat is used as a fundamental aspect of their epistemology. (Theory of Knowledge). Those who went before Maat reciting the 42, Confessions, pledged that they have not violated any of these 'Sacred Virtures', because the penalty for so doing is to 'Be Unmaned'. Should this happen the culprit would be unable to father children or have any responsibility for children the concrete manifestation of life. In many 'Christain Churches' today, this 'Sacred' concept is ridiculed, with 'Woman' testifying to a Male White deity. It is quite humorous to say the least, when women who do not possess 'Testicles' pledge to be castrated for doing wrong. Before the pleadge to Maat is made, Tehuti, great her with the 'Nu Ntr' (Sacred Words) Shem Hotep (I come in Peace!!) and Maat would reply 'HOTEP'. At the end of the Confession, Tehuti would depart with "HOTEP" (Peace!!) Wa Maat
Hotep & Sankofa
Dr. Kuba O. Assegai
Connecticut, USA. If you have comments about this commentary, Send E-mail to :
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Hotep! What it means.
