Black History: Malians and Moors in America before Columbus

The Columbus Map from 1490

We all know and understand that Columbus DID NOT discover America, despite what we were taught in school.  As my Dad would say, there were people already living there.  

Columbus had maps which some people say he bought from the Moors, others say he bought them from the Vikings.  He was NOT searching for a route to the East via the West; he knew exactly where he was going.  He landed first in the Bahamas, and subsequently in Hispaniola, which is now Haiti and the Dominican Republic.  On his third voyage, Columbus landed in what is now Trinidad. 

It would have been easy for Columbus to obtain maps, hanging around the ports, in particular Bristol, while waiting for Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain to finance his venture.  He would have met many other sailors and heard tales of their adventures. 

The Columbus Map was drawn in Columbus's studio in 1490.  See above.  By Bartolomeo and Christopher Colombus - This image comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b59062629/f1 Public Domain.    

It is said that his sailors were required to keep quiet about the maps on pain of having their tongues cut out.  

There is a great deal of evidence that many peoples had visited the Americas prior to Columbus's "discovery" of them. 

Malians/Mandinkas from West Africa were among the peoples who travelled to the Americas.  The Moors from North Africa are also said to have sailed to the Americas.  Africans had sailed there from 100,000 BC and stayed for tens of thousands of years. 

The Carthiginians from the country now called Tunisia, in North Africa, also travelled and produced a gold coin which showed the Americas on the reverse. 

The Chinese, Japanese and Vikings are also said to have travelled there, as are other Europeans. 

The Malians brought elephants with them, and a Malian inscription found in Arizona states that "the elephants are sick and angry".   

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Why Black History Matters

Child being pursued during the Haitian Revolution

As October is Black History Month/African Heritage Month in the UK, I have been posting lots of Black history events on Nurture Success Events – even more than usual.

Of course, many of us know that every month is Black History Month.   BHM in the UK was started in the 1980s as an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of African people.  It was never intended to be the only Black History Month – just the one observed by local authorities and other statutory bodies.

Tony Warner of London Black History Walks runs events all year long, not just in October. So do Black History Studies.

I attended “What Were Black People Doing in WW1” on Saturday – an excellent presentation.  I have seen it at least three times now, and I always learn something new. Brother Tony breaks down the whole context of how Africa and its people got involved in the two World Wars.

So why does Black history matter?   For one thing, in order to know who we really are, we need to know our history.  We need historical context to understand the events of today, and to understand why Africa and African people are in the position we are in.  For example, check out my recent blog about how people are recovering from the Rwandan genocide. To understand how and why the genocide happened, we need the historical context.

That's just one of many, many examples I can give. 

In order to subdue and control our ancestors, the enslavers did everything they could to steal their cultural identity.

 

When we understand how Black people were robbed of our dignity for many generations, we can begin to see why we behave in ways that are so self-destructive. And these behaviours will continue until we undergo a profound healing process. And of course, that's what my work is all about.

You may also be interested in my recent blogs about the First World War.  More about this soon.

There are loads more Black history posts on this blog, so feel free to explore. 

Organisations such as Black History Studies and London Black History Walks are making a  crucial contribution to us as a people and this needs to be acknowledged more.  Enjoy Black History Month and please share this blog with your networks. Please leave your comments below.

Lest We Forget: The Haitian Revolution

Toussaint L'Ouverture

Lest we forget, the 23rd of August is African Remembrance Day, marking the day when enslaved Africans on the island of Haiti rose up against their oppressors and freed themselves.  

The Haitian people, under leaders including Toussaint L'Ouverture and Jean Jacques Dessalines, fought off the French, British and Spanish armies, and then fought off the French again under Napoleon.  The Haitians were never defeated.  

The use of traditional African spirituality was a significant factor in the victory of the Haitian people and their emancipation from slavery.  Click here to read more about the use of African spirituality. 

However, a treaty signed by Haiti required them to pay reparations to their former masters, which has led to the impoverishment of people in what was once the most prosperous island in the Caribbean.  The devastation of the Haiti earthquake in early 2010 was greatly compounded by the impoverishment of the population and the lack of resources in Haiti. 

Click here to read more about the Haitian Revolution.  

Click here to read more about modern Haiti. 

Egalite for All

I recently saw this excellent PBS documentary about the Haitian Revolution, which was screened by Black History Studies.

Egalite for All was chock full of factual information, as was the subsequent presentation by Charmaine at Black History Studies.

Click here to read some of what I learned.

This is important information for all African people. And there is always more to learn. See also:

The Haitian Revolution and Practical Spirituality. The book entitled The Logical and Historical Significance of the Haitian Revolution was mentioned by Panyin on What U Need to Know. Click here to read more and listen to the show.

Toussaint L'Ouverture and the Haitian Revolution

On Saturday, we were honoured to have Sister Panyin as our guest on What U Need to Know.

She spoke very eloquently about African Remembrance Day and the Haitian Revolution.

Panyin emphasised the role of traditional spirituality in the revolution, in which the Haitian people under L'Ouverture's leadership defeated the armies of France, Spain, Britain and France again.

Click here to listen.

We talked about practical spirituality, which is the basis of my book Success Strategies for Black People.

Practical spirituality is what helped African people to survive during slavery, and we can use practical spirituality to achieve our goals.

My parents taught me about Black history and heroes and sheroes like L'Ouverture and Harriet Tubman. We cannot rely on the schools to teach our children about our history and heritage.

Panyin also shared information about a book by Clinton A. Hutton entitled The Logic and Historical Significance of the Haitian Revolution and the Cosmological Roots of Haitian Freedom

To read more about Haiti past and present, see Two Films about Haiti.

Wikileaks: U.S. Government Conspired to Keep Haitian Wages Low

I have recently been viewing videos about Wikileaks information which states that the U.S. government and international corporations conspired to keep wages low for Haitian workers. They state that the workers wanted to increase their wages from $3 to $5 per day. Check it out:

Wikileaks: US Lobbies for Low Haiti Wages

US Helped Keep Low Minimum Wage in Haiti to Protect US Corporations.

Is this what Toussaint fought for?

See also: Poto Mitan - The Strength of Haitian Women.

African Remembrance Day Film: Poto Mitan

On Saturday, the BFI screened “Pto Mitan” as part of its African Remembrance Day programme. This documentary depicts the lives of five Haitian women living in abject poverty in urban Haiti. Each woman tells her own story.

Remember, this film was made before the earthquake disaster. The situation now is even worse.

In traditional Haitian religion, Poto Mitan is a pole around which all activity centers. The film makes the point that in Haitian society, everything rests on the women.

In Haiti, the majority of families are single-parent families with female heads of households. So when women are struggling, the whole of the family and thus the whole of the society struggles.

To read more about this striking documentary, see: Two Films about Haiti.

Click here for the African Remembrance Day show on What U Need to Know.

See also: Jamaica for Sale.

Wyclef Jean for President of Haiti + What U Need to Know

This week, Wyclef Jean announced his plans to run for President of Haiti in the forthcoming election.

He has outlined his plans to support farming in the impoverished nation which was hit by a devastating earthquake early this year.

He plans to encourage people to move out of the capital of Port au Prince and take up farming. Click here to read more.

We will be discussing African Remembrance Day, which celebrates the Haitian Revolution, on the What U Need to Know radio show tonight.

This is the third show in our series on Freedom, Independence and Liberation.

Haiti's problems date back to the time of the revolution, which was seen as a major threat to slavery by the European powers including Britain, Spain and France. Toussaint L'Ouverture's government signed a treaty agreeing to pay reparations to Napoleon for freeing themselves from slavery. These reparations crippled the country economically for the next 200 years. For more information, see Two Films about Haiti.

Click here to join us for What U Need to Know. If you miss the live broadcast, you can still listen to the recording here.

African Remembrance - The Haitian Revolution

African Remembrance Day celebrates the Haitian Revolution. Click here to join us for our radio show What U Need to Know tomorrow, Saturday 7th August at 2 p.m. Eastern, 7 p.m. UK time.

What is the significance of the Haitian Revolution? What does this mean in relation to the recent Haitian earthquake and the history of Haiti? Please feel free to phone in at 001 (347) 637-1099 or join us in the chatroom.

This is the third show in our series on Freedom, Independence and Liberation.

If you miss the show, click here to listen to the recording.

For more about the history of Haiti, see Two Films about Haiti.

More Help for Haiti - African-Led Initiatives

For African-led initiatives to help Haiti and donate for relief, supplies and more, see:

More News from Haiti

Haiti Grassroots Initiatives

For more ways to donate to Haiti, see:

Help Survivors of Quake in Haiti.

150,000 Reported Dead in Haiti

The current death toll in the Haiti earthquake disaster is 150,000 people. Many more are still buried under the rubble. Click here to read more.

Many more are at risk of death due to

• starvation
• thirst
• serious injuries
• lack of medical care and supplies.

Many people are having to have limbs amputated. There is a lack of anaesthesia and other medical supplies. Many people all over the world are raising money to help the victims of this devastating earthquake. There are many initiativef from Black/African communities all over the world.

Click here to read more about grassroots organising for Haiti.

Click here for more about how you can help.

A lot of the devastation was preventable - the infrastructure of Haiti has literally been crumbling for many years. Let us work together to bring about a more positive future for our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

More News on Haiti + Grassroots Organising

The Hairoine Haiti Fundraiser tomorrow, Sunday 24th January

The Hairoine shows you how you can help Haiti : Due to the devastating earthquake which hit Haiti , our Hairoine Expo event is now a charity event. When you buy a Hairoine product, all profits will go to the Haitian earthquake relief effort. The Hairoine Founder, Angie (originally from Haiti ) and her husband will also match every Franc / Euro / Dollar raised on the night with their own funds. On Sun 24 Jan at 3pm at The Hairoine HQ, Paquis, Geneva , Switzerland . Tel: 076 414 5456. If you would like to make a contribution go to: www.thehairoine.ning.com

My fellow AfroSpear member African American Political Pundit (AAPP) on his Political Slugfest radio show asks some key questions including:

• Is the U.S. doing enough to help Haiti?
• What are the Black churches doing to help Haiti?

Doctors have been turned back in order to let in the U.S. military.

He makes the point that the response to the Haitian crisis mirrors the response to Katrina.

Alkebulan are organising via Voice of Africa Radio.

Wyclef Jean argues that food aid to Haiti must be sustainable.

People being treated in hospital have been lying in beds without being fed for four days or more. Many of them have had to have limbs amputated. And when they leave hospital, they will be homeless. Click here to read more and to watch the videos.

For more videos on the Haiti crisis, see Africa and Africans on Film.

United Haitins UK (uhuk.org) are organising on the ground. They have sent a representative to Haiti who has a wide grassroots network. People in the UK will be liaising with them.

They report that there is a need for wind-up radios so that people can remain in communication.

The people of Haiti are largely unaware of how strong the response has been around the world. The need to be aware of the love and care that is coming from African people everywhere.

The Israeli response has also been phenomenal.

Feminine hygiene products are also needed.

Next Saturday, 30th January, there will be a follow-up meeting to the press conference last weekend. The meeting will be held at Southwark Town Hall in South London.

Help at Last for Haiti

At last, some aid is getting through to the people of Haiti.

The U.S. armed forces are dropping supplies. This has been criticised as the supplies are not necessarily reaching the people who need them most. At least, this is a start, although some say this will lead to riots as people fight over food and other supplies.

Click here to donate blood for Haiti.

Click here for more about how you can help.

The current death toll is reported as 200,000 but this is sure to rise due to shortages of water and other supplies, as well as medical help. Many people are suffering serious injuries.

Historically, Haiti has been impoverished from slavery onwards. However, the people of Haiti have always fought back against oppression. Check out this video posted on All about Race, in which the Haitian Ambassador to the United States describes how the Haitian Revolution liberated South America. Simon Bolivar travelled from Haiti.

The whole region and the European powers, which held colonies which were worked by slave labour, as well as the United States, were all shook up by the Haitian Revolution. The country has been used as a political football ever since. To read more, see Two Films about Haiti. See also, African People's Self-Liberation.

More News from Haiti

Remember, we can help by sending money. We can also help by sending energy. To read more, see Healing Our Communities.

Reports are that 30,000 or more people have been killed in the current earthquake. People are seriously injured and the local hospital has collapsed. The medical services are overwhelmed.

The hospital has collapsed. Local aid agencies and medical services are overwhelmed.

Lack of electricity means people are having to be rescued by hand and planes are also having to be unloaded by hand.

Lack of water means that more people will be dying.

Bodies piling up will lead to the spread of disease.

Wyclef Jean is helping out, picking up bodies all day.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/18/20100115/ten-haitian-star-wyclef-jean-pulls-bodie-9700fcb.html

For up to date information, see the Haiti Support Group.

There are many places you can donate money, including the relief fund set up by Wyclef Jean. This blog also gives some historical context.

See also: The Haiti Earthquake Response Group.

Wyclef Jean Sets Up Haiti Relief Fund

In case you haven't heard, international music star Wyclef Jean, a native of Haiti, has set up a website to raise funds for the victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.

You can read his statement and donate to the relief effort at Yele Haiti.

Other places you can donate are:

Direct Relief International

International Medical Corps

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. The great military leader Toussaint L'Ouverture defeated Napoleon's armies and the British Army, thereby liberating the Haitian people from enslavement.

Haiti was surrounded by slave-owning nations and their colonies, including the United States, Jamaica, Cuba and other Caribbean islands, and Brazil. Although L'Ouverture's victory over the Napoleonic and British forces sent shockwaves around the world, in the treaty that followed, Haiti agreed to reimburse France for the loss of this lucrative colony. As a result, the Haitian people continued to be shackled by the national debt for approximately 200 years. This contributed to the extreme poverty and political instability of the country.

To read more about recent Haitian history, see Two Films about Haiti.

Within the past two years, it has been reported that some Haitian people were reduced to eating mud pies as they could not afford to buy food.

Two years ago, most of the buildings in the capital Port Au Prince were condemned as unsafe.

The current earthquake has added to the country's troubles. Many of Haiti's people have been made homeless. They are in need of food, clothing, shelter and medical attention, all of which are in very short supply.

Please give genererously.

Please note, in 2004, there was another devastating earthquake in the Caribbean but this was largely forgotten after the Tsunami, and was not mentioned again in major news coverage.

Let us remember our brethren and sistren in Haiti in their time of need. Please give generously.

Remember, we can also send healing energy. The more of us who do this, the greater the effect will be. For more about this, see Healing Our Communities.