Description
Understanding Kmtyw Thought
Week 1: Origins of Kmtyw Philosophy
Primary Reading(s): Kamalu, C. (1998). Person, Divinity and Nature. London: Karnak House., pp. 17-28.
Obenga, T. (2008). Egypt: Ancient History of African Philosophy. In K. Wiredu (Ed.), A Companion to African Philosophy. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley., pp. 31-49.
University of Ghana – Legon – Institute of African Studies © 2016 4 of 8
Obenga, T. (2004). African philosophy: The Pharaonic period, 2780-330 B.C. Popenguine, Senegal: Per Ankh., pp. 242-271.
Wendorf, F., & Schild, R. (1995). Nabta Playa during the Early and Middle Holocene. ANKH Revue d’Egyptologie et des Civilisations Africaines, 4., pp. 33-45.
Discussion Topics: What is Kmtyw Thought? What is the Kmtyw Worldview? How does worldview inform thought?
Methods of Research: Sources of information on Kmtyw Thought and the importance of Primary Research
Concepts of The Person: Rites of Passage
- Birth
- Initiation
- Marriage
- Eldership
- Ancestors
Primary Reading: Kamalu, C. (1998). Person, Divinity and Nature. London: Karnak House., pp.
1-50.
Supplementary Readings: Fu-Kiau, K. K. B. (1991). Self-Healing Power and Therapy. Baltimore,
MD: Black Classic Press., pp. 1-42.
Fu-Kiau, K. K. B. (1994). Ntangu-Tandu-Kolo: The Bantu-Kongo Concept of Time. In J. K.
Adjaye (Ed.), Time in the Black Experience (pp. 17-34). Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
Fu-Kiau, K. K. B. (2001). African cosmology of the Bântu-Kôngo: tying the spiritual knot :
principles of life & living: Athelia Henrietta Press, publishing in the name of Orunmila.
Course Description and Objectives
Foundations of Kmtyw thought aims to introduce students to the core principles, modes, patterns, and history of thought and knowledge production of Global Kmt ‘Black Nation/Land of Black people’ throughout space and time, from Antiquity to the present. Training as students of Kmtyw ‘Black People’ Studies would be incomplete without a proper understanding of the classical and contemporary Kmty worldview in its various manifestations throughout global Kmt and the principles which under-gird these various manifestations. As such, students will acquire familiarity with rich and profound interdisciplinary literature throughout space and time and also acquire pertinent evaluative criteria and organizing principles to assist in engaging the literature. Thus, in the core course entitled Foundations of Kmtyw Thought, students will:
- Acquire an understanding of the worldview under-girding Kmtyw Thought and Philosophy and how it fundamentally differs from the worldview, thought and philosophy of others (non-Kmtyw)
- Develop an understanding of fundamental tenets found at the core of the Kmty Worldview and how this worldview has been manifested in Kmty Thought throughout space and time
- Explore the relationship between common fundamentals of worldview on the various and diverse expressions and manifestations of Kmty culture along several dimensions
- Become familiar with innovative approaches to the study of Kmty Thought
Unknown Member –
This is my second time of listening. I have been working slowly through the entire lecture series: Introduction to African thought and world view. I actually got as far as lecture 10 when things started to click and i have begun to realise that our Ancestors have already worked out everything One needs to accomplish a successful life, an orderly life and to rebuild civilization. I personally feel that lecture number 9 should be first, because that lecture and then lecture 10 was the point at which I made this discovery and my brain has literally recalibrated itself somehow- meaning I’m no longer studying this subject for emotional reasons- it’s now a necessity. Having said that, it’s possible that without going through the earlier lectures, i might not have reached a point of impact by lecture 9… infact, this is quite possible, as it is one of the reoccurring themes which Okunini Obadele Kambon covers in the course of this and other lectures, which is the seeing without realising and the hearing without fully comprehending, which is integral to immaturity, but finally the meaning is revealed and the One remembers and realises that they have been learning all along. Thanks. This knowledge Will never die in me or go to waste as long as I have a functioning body and mind. Amen. Asè
Kwadwo Danmeara Tòkunbọ̀ –
Beautiful testimony!