I would like to give you the definition of “indigenous culture” according to United Nations organizations for indigenous people Human Rights:
those which having a historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies that developed on their territories, consider themselves distinct from other sectors of societies now prevailing in those territories, or parts of them. They form at present non-dominant sectors of society and are determined to preserve, develop, and transmit to future generations their ancestral territories, and their ethnic identity, as the basis of their continued existence as peoples, in accordance with their own cultural patterns, social institutions and legal systems.
(Martinez-Cobo, 1984)
What is the “indigenous culture” of those who descend from slaves stolen from West Africa?
Many tribes were consumed in the bowels of ships leaving Africa for the Americas, and some of the largest tribes are the Eboes(Igbo), Ashanti, Yoruba, and the EVERI which was the name of the ancient Peoples of West Africa.
What culture or way of life did the EVERI (ancient people of West Africa) engage?
While there are many influences over the centuries and intermingling of tribes throughout the ages we can use historical documentation from explorers, cosmographers, historians, and missionaries as observations from the outside looking in as well as the oral traditions passed down by the tribes of West Africa itself.
The Erverh people did not originate from West Africa. They came from the Middle East where they used to be mighty people with a world-renowned name. However, over time and through the ages the people of the world replaced this famous name with something else. This accident in history inadvertently hid the glorious identity of these black people.
Not anymore is the glorious name going to stay hidden, because I am hereby lifting the veil so that you know whom we really are. With our identity thus revealed, we can rise and soar again to great heights as our ancestors.
Meet the Êυê (Erverh) aka the Hebrew
As I mentioned earlier, we are the Erverh people. The secret you don’t know is, Erverh means Hebrew. Therefore, to rephrase, the last statement can read: “we are the Hebrew people.” The name Erverh, is the original name, which translates as Hebrew in English. Thus, without beating about the bush, our ancestors, and us, are the ancient Israelites. The ancient Israelites were not called Jews. They were Erverh.
John Pory, the English Translator of The History and Description of Africa, by Leo Africanus, writing at the conmiencement of the seventeenth century, contributed a chapter on " The Religions of * History of the Jews, 16 Abyssinia and Ethiopia Africa ", in which he remarks : " At this day also the Abassins aflftrme, that upon Nilus towards the West there inhabiteth a most populous nation of the Jewish stock under a mighte K(ing). And^some of our modeme Cosmographers set downe a province in those quarters which they call, the Land of the Hebrewes, placed as it were imder the equinoctiall, in certaine unknowne mountaines, between the confines of Abassia, and Congo. And Ukewise on the north part of the Kingdom of Goiame, and the southerly quarter of the Kingdome of Gorhan there are certaine moimtaines, peopled with Jewes, who there maintaine themselves free, and absolute, through the inaccessible situations of the same ".^ Pory would thus appear to have been of the opinion that there was a Jewish state in the region indicated by Sanuto, as well as other territories imder Jewish rule in the vicinity of the Abyssinian Kingdom. Sanuto's references to the "terra de' Giudei " are solely of a geographical character, and the position in which he locates the " Country of the Jews " on the " African Tabula X " is south-west, and near the Equator. He makes it adjoin the ancient Kingdom of Benin, which is placed to the west of the Jewish territory on his map. -
THE JEWS OF AFRICA Especially in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries BY SIDNEY MENDELSSOHN, F.Z.S., F.R.C.L, ETC. Author of MttMisohtCi Satttb African Bihtiograpby^ the Jem tf Asia, Jetoisb Pioneers of South Africa
also we have this:
many Hebrewisms were discovered in the Ashanti tribal customs. Then, several Ashanti words were found to have a striking resemblance to those of equivalent Hebrew meaning. Finally, the Supreme Being of the Ashanti gave strong indication of being the Yahweh of the Old Testament. The ques- tion naturally rose, how to explain these parallels of cultural traits ? Should they be ascribed to mere coincidence — to independ- ent development? Or, have we here a remarkable instance of dif- fusion across the entire breadth of Africa? Is it possible to estab- lish even a partial historical contact between the Ashanti of to-day and the Hebrews of fully two thousand years ago, or more? The problem might be approached, either by trying to trace the story of the Dispersion of the Jews, usually called the Diaspora, or by the study of tribal beliefs and practices and the records of early African travellers, particularly of those who had written of the manners and customs of the Negro before the inroads of Is- lamism had tended to utterly destroy all traditions of the past. It was finally decided to attack the question from both angles. The worldwide diffusion of the Jews was followed in its mani- fold ramifications with a view of establishing every possible in- flux of Hebraic culture that might possibly at any time have reached the shores of Africa. After a general consideration of the Diaspora itself, the first line of investigation led from the Abys- sinian centre of Hebraic influence, that dates back to a more or
less legendary origin, and which eventually built up the dis- tinctively Jewish Falashas. Then again, long before the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus, the Mediterranean shore of Africa had become lined with influen- tial Jewish colonies which undoubtedly were in constant mercan- tile relations with the interior of the Dark Continent. But Egypt especially had been the haven of the refugees from Jerusalem at the time of the Babylonian Captivity, and for many subsequent centuries the Jewish element in the land of the Pharaohs continued to increase and prosper. From all three of these sources, an Hebraic influence might well have penetrated to the very heart of Western Africa, espe- cially along the general lines of commerce. It was here that the study of the West African tribes them- selves was undertaken, and every vestige of evidence recorded. It was indeed surpising how many Hebrewisms, either real or at least apparent, were to be found among the unislamised tribes. -
T. Edward Bowditch, Mission from Cape Coast Castle to Ashantee, Lon- don, 1819, p. 318.) site and from the book:
HEBREWISMS OF WEST AFRICA AFRICA HEBREWISMS OF WEST AFRICA From Nile to Niger ‘with the Je’ws JOSEPH J. WILLIAMS, s.]., PH.D., LITT.D. Fellow of tile Royal Geographical and the American Geographical Societies, Member of the International Institute of African Languages and Cultures, Member of the Catholic Anthropological Conference, Author of Whisperings of the Caribbean, etc. etc. LONDON GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD MUSEUM STREET FIRST PUBLISHED IN I93O
As I research and shift through information to uncover the culture of the people pulled from West Africa I must also understand Africa from a non colonial perspective and see these people from an Afro Asiatic lens. In shifting my paradigm I am forced to think of these peoples not as Nigerians or Ugandans as those are divisions most times enforced from outside powers, but I comprehend them as people who existed and flourished, fought, and migrated with cultures that should be appreciated and articulated with thoughtful care and respect. I must see them as a collective people and remove European perspectives of individuality from world view.
I have gathered and studied a plethora of historical sources that indicate the nation and culture of the people groups taken as commodities in the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade consist of Hebraic practicing tribes/nations. There is not one type of people taken as slaves and the growing disparaging view of Darker people by protestant nations specifically Portugal and Britain in the 16 and 1700s distorts or omits any characteristics or significant connections and contributions of the Black/Negro/Moor/Hebrew people they were now enslaving.
We know Britain has kept and held ancient artifacts belonging to the Benin people (as an example) that are just now being returned, and we know there is still a considerable amount of ancient artifacts that belong to civilizations conquered by imperial forces. These indigenous cultures are now being researched and reclaimed.
In my efforts to operate with continuity with the pre invasion pre colonial history of my people – the West African people – I must understand who we were before enslavement.
To remove false identities and inferior mindsets from our people actually encourages a kingdom mindset in which the rulership of the Most High can thrive.
Removing ignorant mentalities and oppressive social constructs established by colonialism is most definitely not in opposition to the good news.
In fact any identity established with the intention of subjugation or to facilitate inferior mentalities is an adversary to our calling.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light – 1 Peter 2:9
“It is of the utmost importance that Israel as well as Judaism and Christendom recognize the Igbo as a portion of the Lost Tribe of Gad, as well as any other African people who can undisputedly be linked to Judah or any other Tribe of Israel, because Messiah is returning for His Bride and will not come for half of a Bride or an unready (Matt. 25:11-13a) or incomplete Bride, but a whole, complete, unspotted and untainted Bride. So it is important that these Lost Tribes are found and brought back into the Fold.
The Lost Ten Tribes and the Return of Messiah
I believe the return of Messiah Yeshua is inextricably linked to the identification, location and return of the lost ten tribes of Israel. Christendom seems to focus on the world and its governments and nations going to hell in a hand basket, morally and economically as “THE” signs of Messiah’s eminent return, as well as the abundance and frequencies of natural disasters and warfare; often quoting Matthew 24. This morbid obsession with Armageddon causes them to fail to see who is at the center and focus of His return and that is Israel and all who connect themselves to her through following her God and the Word of her God. Yes, these things mentioned above are prerequisites that must happen for Messiah to return, but so is the identification, location and return of the lost ten tribes of Israel. After all who is Messiah returning for? ISRAEL, physical descendants of Abraham and his 12 sons as well as all who have joined themselves to them by following their God and His Words.” –
Rabbi Yehudah “Tochukwu” ben Shomeyr
The fear of a few who propagate that fear to the ignorant masses wich produces hate, and when knowledge and accurate information with wisdom and revelation is given the wicked principality of racism suppresses that truth with ignorance like: ” it doesn’t matter” or ” that’s carnal” or ” how does that give salvation”.
The principality of racism requires ignorance to thrive.
We have outgrown the social constructs created by white supremacy and choose to operate as a people with continuity to our indigenous culture producing autonomy.
Why was our history erased or made obscure?
Colonisers, conquerors, and enslavers erase the history of the people they colonised, conquered, and enslaved to present the perception of them colonising a group of nobodies or savages with such a primitive and unintelligent history that we believe the indigenous culture of the slave was unimportant.
There is a psychological reason why people associate themselves to their history. What you think about yourself is linked to how you think about your people. What you think about your people is how you perceive history. We can as individuals have high self-esteem, but simultaneously have a very low perception of our people as a whole. In knowing our history and acknowledging the value we have as a group or a people our group esteem will rise.
Knowing and operating in our indigenous culture is restoring self-determination and facilitating unification and growth, however this knowledge is in opposition to American values in regards to so-called Black people and presents issues within western Christianity.
My focus in restoring the Hebraic culture of my people is to return to the Torah being the constitution of our communities and the Messiah our KING. I believe by operating with knowledge of our indigenous culture we create a unification and collective mentality among our people to move forward as a whole, shalom.
lastapostle 