#sankor

[postcard-from-the-past]

11th-century Sankoré Mosque in Timbuktu, Mali

French vintage postcard, mailed in 1921

[therainingkiwi]

i was just watching celebrity jeopardy and one of the clues described medieval timbuktu as "a college town" and i think my entire brain has been rewired

[sylvialining]

library of alexandria this. library of alexandria that. when are we going to talk about the sankore madrasah

[viadescioism]

Kwanzaa:

Kwanzaa, an annual holiday celebrated primarily in the United States from December 26 to January 1, emphasizes the importance of pan-African family and social values. It was devised in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, Inspired by Africa’s harvest celebrations, he decided to develop a nonreligious holiday that would stress the importance of family and community while giving African Americans an opportunity to explore their African identities. Kwanzaa arose from the black nationalist movement of the 1960s and was created to help African Americans reconnect with their African cultural and historical heritage. The holiday honors African American people, their struggles in the United States, their heritage, and their culture. Kwanzaa's practices and symbolism are deeply rooted in African traditions and emphasize community, family, and cultural pride. It's a time for reflection, celebration, and the nurturing of cultural identity within the African American community.

Kwanzaa is a blend of various African cultures, reflecting the experience of many African Americans who cannot trace their exact origins; thus, it is not specific to any one African culture or region. The inclusiveness of Kwanzaa allows for a broader celebration of African heritage and identity.

Karenga created Kwanzaa during the aftermath of the Watts riots as a non-Christian, specifically African-American, holiday. His goal was to give black people an alternative to Christmas and an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than imitating the practices of the dominant society. The name Kwanzaa derives from the Swahili phrase "matunda ya kwanza," meaning "first fruits," and is based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa. The holiday was first celebrated in 1966.

Each day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to one of the seven principles (Nguzo Saba), which are central values of African culture that contribute to building and reinforcing community among African Americans. These principles include Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Each family celebrates Kwanzaa in its own way, but Celebrations often include songs, dances, African drums, storytelling, poetry readings, and a large traditional meal. The holiday concludes with a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the sixth day​​​​.

Kwanzaa is more than just a celebration; it's a spiritual journey to heal, explore, and learn from African heritage. The holiday emphasizes the importance of community and the role of children, who are considered seed bearers of cultural values and practices for the next generation. Kwanzaa is not just a holiday; it's a period of introspection and celebration of African-American identity and culture, allowing for a deeper understanding and appreciation of ancestral roots. This celebration is a testament to the resilience and enduring spirit of the African-American community.

"Kwanzaa," Encyclopaedia Britannica, last modified December 23, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kwanzaa.

"Kwanzaa - Meaning, Candles & Principles," HISTORY, accessed December 25, 2023, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history.

"Kwanzaa," Wikipedia, last modified December 25, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa.

"Kwanzaa," National Museum of African American History and Culture, accessed December 25, 2023, https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/kwanzaa.

"The First Kwanzaa," HISTORY.com, accessed December 25, 2023, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-first-kwanzaa.

My Daily Kwanzaa, blog, accessed December 25, 2023, https://mydailykwanzaa.wordpress.com.

Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture (Los Angeles, CA: University of Sankore Press, 1998), ISBN 0-943412-21-8.

"Kente Cloth," African Journey, Project Exploration, accessed December 25, 2023, https://projectexploration.org.

Expert Village, "Kwanzaa Traditions & Customs: Kwanzaa Symbols," YouTube video, accessed December 25, 2023, [Link to the specific YouTube video]. (Note: The exact URL for the YouTube video is needed for a complete citation).

"Official Kwanzaa Website," accessed December 25, 2023, https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.html.

Michelle, Lavanda. "Let's Talk Kwanzaa: Unwrapping the Good Vibes." Lavanda Michelle, December 13, 2023. https://lavandamichelle.com/2023/12/13/lets-talk-kwanzaa-unwrapping-the-good-vibes/.

[reasoningdaily]

Visit the original article to click through to the entire list - PASS IT ON

Lesson 1: Kemet

Ancient Egyptians called their land "Kemet"--or Black Land. The first person to practice medicine was from Kemet, along with the first dentist!  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 1 01:10

Lesson 2: Shotgun homes and front porches

The shotgun home and front porch design originated in West Africa in what is now Nigeria.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 2 01:07

Lesson 3: Walls of Benin

The Walls of Benin were four times longer than the Great Wall of China. So, what happened to them?  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 3 01:10

Lesson 4: University of Sankore

One of the first universities in the world was located in Mali.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 4 01:07

Lesson 5: 1526

The year 1619 is known as the year that Blacks were first enslaved in America. What about the year 1526? 29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 5 01:10

Lesson 6: Freedom by any means

How braided hair, Gospel music, and drums played a role in the liberation of Blacks.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 6 01:06

Lesson 7: Benjamin Banneker

Meet the man who helped design Washington, D.C.,  and that's not all.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 7 01:07

Lesson 8: Queen Nanny of the Maroons

She was like Harriet Tubman, but she freed slaves someplace else.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 8 01:05

Lesson 9: Henry "Box" Brown

Learn more about how Henry Brown got his nickname. It's incredible.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 9 01:10

Lesson 10: Henrietta Bowers

Learn how this undertaker used her background to free Black slaves.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 10 01:06

Lesson 11: John Berry Meachum

Learn more about the "Floating Freedom School" and why Meachum had to put it on a boat.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 11 01:04

Lesson 12: Lewis Latimer

How Louis Latimer made one of Thomas Edison's famous inventions better.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 12 01:00

Lesson 13: Granville T. Woods

How modern wireless technology can be traced back to Granville Woods in the 1800s.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 13 01:06

Lesson 14: Oscar Micheaux

The man who paved the way for today's great Black filmmakers.  29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 14 01:02

Lesson 15: Marie Van Brittan Brown

Those Ring cameras are everywhere. It basically started with Marie Van Brittan Brown's invention in the 1960s. 29 Black History Facts You Probably Didn't Learn at School: Lesson 15 01:02

[moneeb0930]

THE OLDEST UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD

Contrary to what many would have expected, the oldest universities in the world are located in Africa, not in ancient Greece or Europe, a study has revealed. Going by the results of the research, the foundation for the US first university was laid as late as in 1636 while the oldest university in Europe, the University of Bologna in Italy was founded in 1088 years after Africa had established universities, followed by the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom, which was founded in 1096. According to the research by Erudera, the oldest universities in the world are located in Egypt, Morocco and Mali respectively.

The Kemetic temple universities

The libraries of Kemet were not only places of archives, sacred words, papyrus manufacturing, and the like, they were also centers of learning, that combined the functions of their libraries and temples into universities.Hence Kemet became a land of temples, libraries, and universities. As

a result, the "temple-library-university" became the key center of ancient Kemetic intellectual

and spiritual activity. Ancient Kemetic temples like Waset and Ipet Isut are the oldest universities on planet earth. The Temple of Waset is the world's first university and was built during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep 111 in the XV111 Dynasty, 1405-1370 B.C. while the Ipet Isut temple was built during the reign of Senusert I of the 12th dynasty, who ruled from 1971-1926 BC.

Al-Qarawiyyin University, Morocco (859 CE - Present)

The second oldest standing university on earth is in Morocco. Known as Al-Qarawiyyin, the university was founded by a young princess in 859 A.D. by Tunisian-born Fatima al-Fihri in Morocco’s Fez. According to the United Nations, Guinness World Records, Manchester University Press and other credible sources, al-Qarawiyyin is the oldest university of the world still in use today.

Timbuktu University Mali (989 CE – Present)

The University ofTimbuktu is a collective term for the teaching associated with three mosques in the city of Timbuktu in what is now Mali: the masajid (mosques) of Sankore, Djinguereber, and Sidi Yahya. This third oldest University in the world is one of three ancient centres of learning located in Timbuktu, Mali. It was officially established in 13BC and it prospered and became a very significant seat of learning in the world, especially under the reign of Mansa Musa (1307-1332) and the Askia Dynasty (1493-1591). The University of Sankore has its roots in the Sankore Mosque which was founded in 989 ADby Al-Qadi Aqib ibn Mahmud ibn Umar, the Supreme Judge of Timbuktu.’ At its peak, long before Europeans built universities, the university at Timbuktu had an average attendance of around 25 000 students within a city of around 100 000 people.

All of the universities of Timbuktu predate Islam and were originally learning centers for Dogon and Meroitic sciences, which flourished throughout the Sahel. Islam did not introduce universities to Timbuktu, Islam appropriated the indigenous African universities already in Timbuktu (as well as numerous other ancient African cities) and turned them into masjids. The Timbuktu Meroitic universities were appropriated into masjids in 989 ce. This is over 1,200 years after the original university was established.

However, despite the religious shift of the universities, their architectural heritage remains faithful to the indigenous pre-Islamic Sahelian adobe architecture.

Credit: @Africa Native

[realjaysumlin]

University of Sankore | university, Timbuktu, Mali | Britannica

Ask anyone today about the first continent to start modern day education almost no one would suggest Africa even though the African continent had 4 of the first universities in the world. Only one was the first four year college which passed out college degrees.

The University of Sankore is said to be the first university in Earth's history which is also located in Africa. It's really a shame how Black African History isn't told correctly.

[readyforevolution]

THE FOUR OLDEST UNIVERSITIES IN THE WORLD ARE IN AFRICA

Contrary to what many would have expected, the oldest universities in the world are located in Africa, not in ancient Greece or Europe, a study has revealed.

Going by the results of the research, the foundation for the first university in the United States was laid in 1636 A.D. The oldest university in Europe, the University of Bologna in Italy was founded in 1088 A.D. The University of Oxford, in the United Kingdom, was founded in 1096 A.D.

According to the research by Erudera, the oldest universities in the world are located in Egypt, Morocco, Mali, and Timbuktu respectively.

The oldest university is the Library of Alexandria. It was established in the third century B.C. in Egypt. It grew to become the largest center of learning in the ancient world. The complex is estimated to have housed more than 200,000 volumes, and supported up to 5,000 scholars and students. Clearly, this was a large research institution, and many of the leading Egyptian, other African, as well as Greek, Roman, and Jewish scholars of the ancient world studied or worked there at some point in their lives. The library gradually declined as buildings were destroyed by fire, its holdings looted in times of warfare, and scholars left due to political instability in the twilight years of the Roman empire. Alexandria left a rich legacy of scholarship covering a wide range of fields from mathematics and the sciences to philosophy and religion.

The second oldest university is in Morocco, known as Al-Qarawiyyin, University. It was founded by a young princess from Tunisia, Fatima al-Fihri.

The third oldest university is Sankore University in Mali. It had 25,000 students from Africa and across the Mediterranean.

The fourth oldest university was Timbuktu University which was founded during the Wagadu Empire era. At this time, Timbuktu developed into a major trading center of the Sahelian savanna belt between Senegal and Meroitic Kush.

All of the universities of Timbuktu predate Islam and were originally learning centers for Dogon and Meroitic sciences, which flourished throughout the Sahel. Islam did not introduce universities to Timbuktu, Islam appropriated the indigenous African universities already in Timbuktu (as well as numerous other ancient African cities) and turned them into masjids. The Timbuktu Meroitic universities were appropriated into masjids in 989 A.D. This is over 1,200 years after the original university was established.

However, despite the religious shift of the universities, their architectural heritage remains faithful to the indigenous pre-Islamic Sahelian adobe architecture.

#africa

[ptseti]

Allow us to introduce you to Askia the Great, a figure whose contributions to the Songhai Empire have left a lasting imprint on the tapestry of African history. 🏰✨ Born Muhammad I Askia around 1443, he became emperor in 1493 and kick-started what’s known as the Askia Dynasty. His ascension to the throne marked a pivotal point in West African history as he transformed the Songhai Empire into a political, economic, and cultural powerhouse. 📚🔆 Askia the Great was a true visionary. He organized his vast empire with a centralized government, dividing it into provinces with appointed governors. This innovative administrative structure provided stability and facilitated the smooth running of the empire. It was an exemplary demonstration of governance that was far ahead of its time. 🌐⚖️ But his accomplishments weren’t limited to political and administrative reforms. Askia was a fervent advocate of education and Islamic scholarship. He turned the city of Timbuktu into a vibrant cultural and educational hub, attracting scholars from all around the Islamic world. Under his patronage, the Sankore University in Timbuktu flourished, transforming into a scholarly oasis amidst the Saharan desert. The university was renowned for its extensive library, housing tens of thousands of manuscripts on various subjects ranging from astronomy to philosophy, which continue to enlighten us about the rich intellectual tradition of Africa. 📜🎓 Moreover, Askia was also a legendary military leader. He expanded the boundaries of the Songhai Empire, making it the largest empire in the history of West Africa. His military campaigns extended the influence of Songhai over a vast region, encompassing large parts of present-day Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Senegal.🛡️⚔️ In remembering Askia the Great, we pay tribute to a remarkable African leader whose impact continues to resonate through the corridors of time. His vision, wisdom, and zeal for knowledge stand as a testament to the grandeur of African civilization during his reign. 🌟

[lboogie1906]

The University of Timbuktu is a collective term for the teaching associated with three mosques in the city of Timbuktu in what is now Mali: the masjid of Sankore, Djinguereber, and Sidi Yahya. It was not a university in the modern sense, but a loosely organized scholastic community that endured for many centuries during the medieval period. The University of Timbuktu was unlike the modern university in that there was no central organization or formal course of study. There were several independent schools, each having a principal instructor. Students chose their teachers, and instruction took place in mosque courtyards or private residences. The primary focus was on the study of the Quran and Islamic subjects, but academic subjects were also taught such as "medicine and surgery, anatomy, botany, evolution, physiology and zoology, astronomy, anthropology, cartography, geodesy, geology, mathematics, physics, chemistry, philosophy, language and linguistics, geography, history, as well as art." Teachers associated with the Sankore mosque and the mosque itself were especially respected for learning. It boasted up to 25,000 students out of a total city population of 100,000. Timbuktu quickly grew in importance by the start of the 12th century, with a thriving economy based on trading salt, gold, spices, and dyes. As the wealth of the city grew, it also became a center of learning, attracting scholars and manuscripts. It acquired a reputation for learning and scholarship across the Muslim world. #africanhistory365 #africanexcellence https://www.instagram.com/p/CoR8dzSORKN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[ghlagatindotcom]

Ahanta West: Party-branded pick-aup vehicle for the Ahanta West NPP parliamentary candidate stuck in muddy road; angry delegates refuse to help

A party-branded pick-up vehicle belonging to the Ahanta West NPP parliamentary candidate has become stuck in a muddy road from Sankor to Cape Three Points in the Western Region. The incident has left the campaign team stranded, and efforts to seek assistance from other road users have been met with refusal. The vehicle, adorned with campaign posters and slogans, was traveling along the rural…

[abelstravellog]

Abel's travel log

Traveling throughout the Mali Empire 

Hi, my name is Abel Mekuria and as a traveler I  am documenting my travels throughout the beautiful and diverse empire of Mali. Throughout my travel log, I’ll list my personal five major places/cities that I have traveled through and an experience. I hope that you enjoy hearing about my personal experiences traveling through the Empire and hope that it influences you a step closer to taking a trip to the Mali empire. 

Great Mosque of Djenne

First stop through the Mali Empire is the core of the empire's rich culture, and religion. The Empire had a strong religious culture and believed in a lot of Islamic practices and was practiced throughout the daily lives of citizens in the Empire . The great mosque of Djenne Was a extremely beautiful mosque built for the purpose of practicing Islamic beliefs. The great mosque became a center in the community for citizens to gather up to worship Islamic practices together. The mosque has beautiful large walls with a large center prayer hall with colorful flat roofs. On top of the mosque, three large towers used to call believers for prayer. The mosque was believed to be built around the 13th century in the empire. The mosque was carefully constructed over a long span of time using mud bricks and is also known to be one of the oldest and largest mud brick structures in the entire world. They also have large wooden beams through the entire mosque. They are used for aesthetic purposes and also structural support for the mud brick built mosque. Since also the mosque was constructed mainly at mud brick walls it ended up requiring regular repairs and maintenance to keep the structure intact. And if you come after the rainy season in the empire, you can participate in a festival known as crepissage which is where the community helps repair the mosque mud brick walls by hand to battle against erosion if faced during that season. The mosque also became a common area for annual celebrations and big events, such as festivals that had large amounts of tourists and visitors travel to participate in. 

The city of Timbuktu

Timbuktu is a beautiful, rich, busy city of the Empire. The city is continuously thriving with hundreds of different cultures, religions, goods, and languages from all over the world. One of the major things in the city was its trading business. A lot of major items were exchanged in the city of Timbuktu that made it thrive. They are a record of goods being traded such as gold, slaves, salt/other spices and more goods. This city also had a big Islamic culture throughout the citizens. Out of all the major cities this is the one where you will learn the most about Islamic practices, religion, and overall knowledge. This city is thriving with new information and knowledge to learn around every corner. tons of Muslim students travel to take classes and attend schools in the city. When you explore the city you will notice that there are libraries, schools, and mosques separated around the city. You can also visit one of the most well-known schools in the Empire called Sankore university. The school was founded in the 14th century and goes around the general area. You’ll see thousands of students studying. This city is also home to three of the major mosques in the Empire. The biggest one known as the Djinguereber mosque Which was also in the same city as the Sankore and Sidi yahya mosques. 

The Royal Palaces of Niani

The royal Palaces of Niani Were for the rulers of the Mali Empire doubt was located in the city of Niani. Niani served as the capital city of the Mali Empire. Traveling throughout the city you quickly realized how important this city is to the Empire. This city was also one of the most influential, rich, and powerful cities in Africa. Also, the royal Court Another place in the Empire that lots of different goods, laws, goods, and ideas were brought to from different areas. Staying in the city you might even see any of the major rulers of the empire because this is where they all stayed. Also, since this is where the majority of the rulers stayed, all the official laws and changes to the government within this city. As you travel throughout the city of Niani You experience tons of beautiful and aesthetically built buildings such as Royal palaces, different markets, courtyards, and other spaces built for the Royals. Another thing that you noticed while traveling through the city is that all the buildings were carefully constructed with the same local materials, such as mud bricks and wood. There’s a lot of eye-catching things to see throughout the city that really showcase the wealth of the empire's royal families. This city also was rich in history of the Mali  Empire this is where all the government advancements were decided upon. And was home to a lot of architectural and cultural advancements. Overall, this is a beautiful city to explore with plenty of interesting places to explore and a peaceful courtyard to relax and enjoy. The city is thriving with different activities to participate in because they have performances and ceremonies happening. You could also participate in a lot of religious festivals that will be held with even the likes of the Nobles which would have a lot of different and diverse foods, music, and activities such as dancing. which would have a lot of different and diverse foods, music, and activities such as dancing. The city is also known for hosting major festivals including tons and tons of people. interesting places to explore and a peaceful courtyard to relax and enjoy.

The city of Gao

The city of Geo was another major city in the Mali Empire. This city is located on the beautiful and exotic Niger river. As you enter the city, you notice that it also has the same buildings with the same mud bricks. But  in Gao they also sun dried the mud bricks so that they could build multiple levels on one building. Also another little difference that sets him apart from the other cities is that he had a layout of narrow streets surrounded by these multiple story mud brick buildings. walking through the city you see a major trading community that thrives off the coast of the river. Exploring through the coast of the river, you’ll find several different markets of goods from all over the world. Simplest just in the trading center around the river who experience multiple different cultures, languages,  and religions from different markets with goods from their homelands. Also, because of this massive trading hub, the city has a very diverse culture. As you travel around the city, you’ll notice how diverse the citizens of the city are. Another major difference in the city of Gao is that other religions, traditions, beliefs/practices, and languages are more common and Wiley practices because of his diverse population. The city of Gao wasn't only a trading center, it was also the military post for the Mali empire. Just walking through the city you can see the military influence on so many things such as the fortified wall surrounding the city constantly defending the empire. The city was also known for having a lot of skilled craftsmen throughout the trading market. Throughout the Riverside markets, you could get locally crafted pottery, leather/clothing, metalwork and more. There are also tons of different imported crafted goods from different cultures and homeland points. Also, there’s a ton of stuff to learn throughout the city while you explore and travel because of how rich the history is in the city of gao. Since it used to be a part of the Ghana empire and has multiple different cultures thriving in the city. It has tons of history for any visitor to learn about and explore.

The Gold Mines of Bambuk and Bure

Another very interesting and important place that you can visit in the Mali Empire is the gold mines Bambuk and Bure. These two mines were extremely known throughout, not just the empire, but also a majority of the world because of his vast supply of gold. Because the area around the mines are super wealthy and rich which makes them super interesting to explore and very eye-catching to anyone that wants to visit the empire. Also, while you are exploring the mines and the cities around it slowly, but surely you will see the importance of gold to the Malis empire in the trading community and with alliances with neighboring empires. Another thing that you can do around these mines is how they collect and harvest gold. Well, by doing this you will learn the many different techniques that the empire has developed to extract gold from the Earth through my time of simply visiting. I have learned that they usually dig deep down or could also use surface mining to find gold ores by using shovels in picks. Another thing that you can also participate in and observe is how skilled minors can extract gold from the gold ores in the ground and craft them to be different items. Also, the vast amount of gold that was getting produced and traded through these minds made the area become a big trading ground in the Empire, where majors such as salt, gold, food, and much more traded. And also because of his major power backed up by the vast amount of gold, it has had a major rule and shaped the empire.

So this concludes my travels throughout the Vast and culturally dense empire of Mali. I went over the different areas/cities, different activities/events, and different cultures that I have experienced at my time in the empire. Thank you for following with my adventures through the Empire and hope that this Pushes you a step closer to finally taking that trip through the Mali Empire. 

Niane, Djibril Tamsir. "Epic of Sundiata." Translated by G. D. Pickett, Longman, 1994.

Ibn Battuta. "The Travels of Ibn Battuta." Edited by Tim Mackintosh-Smith, Picador, 2002.

Kati, Mahmud. "Tuhfat al-Nufus." Edited by Elias N. Saad, Institut des Hautes Études, 1913.

Ibn al-Mukhtar al-Saghir. "The Chronicle of Ibn al-Mukhtar al-Saghir." Edited by Elias N. Saad, Brill, 1980.

Askia Mohammed. "The Chronicle of Askia Mohammed." Translated by Alexander Gordon Laing, John Murray, 1826.

BBC World Service. "The Story of Africa: The Mali Empire." BBC Books, 2000.

Hopkins, J.F.P. "The Empire of Mali." Oxford University Press, 1973.

Kouyaté, Mamadou. "The Rise and Fall of the Mali Empire." Cambridge University Press, 2016.

Niane, D.T. "Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali." Pearson, 2006.

Davidson, Basil. "The History of West Africa." Longman, 1965.

[viadescioism]

Ujima (collective work & responsibility):

Ujima, the third principle of Kwanzaa, celebrated on December 28th, is a powerful concept that emphasizes collective work and responsibility. Pronounced oo-jee'-ma, Ujima represents a commitment to active and informed togetherness in addressing common community issues. This principle encompasses the idea that the community's problems are shared by all and must be solved together.

The symbol associated with Ujima is Akoma Ntoaso, the Adinkra symbol of shared effort and obligation. This symbol represents the interconnectedness and collective responsibility within the community. The lighting of a candle on the Kinara during Kwanzaa is a physical manifestation of this commitment.

Ujima is more than just a principle; it's an active practice of working together to build and maintain the community. It recognizes that progress is impossible and liberation unthinkable without collective work and struggle. This principle aligns with the African proverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child," highlighting the importance of communal support and nurturing.

"Kwanzaa," Encyclopaedia Britannica, last modified December 23, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Kwanzaa.

"Kwanzaa - Meaning, Candles & Principles," HISTORY, accessed December 25, 2023, https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/kwanzaa-history.

"Kwanzaa," Wikipedia, last modified December 25, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwanzaa.

"Kwanzaa," National Museum of African American History and Culture, accessed December 25, 2023, https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/kwanzaa.

"The First Kwanzaa," HISTORY.com, accessed December 25, 2023, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-first-kwanzaa.

My Daily Kwanzaa, blog, accessed December 25, 2023, https://mydailykwanzaa.wordpress.com.

Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture (Los Angeles, CA: University of Sankore Press, 1998), ISBN 0-943412-21-8.

"Kente Cloth," African Journey, Project Exploration, accessed December 25, 2023, https://projectexploration.org.

Expert Village, "Kwanzaa Traditions & Customs: Kwanzaa Symbols," YouTube video, accessed December 25, 2023, [Link to the specific YouTube video]. (Note: The exact URL for the YouTube video is needed for a complete citation).

"Official Kwanzaa Website," accessed December 25, 2023, https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.html.

Michelle, Lavanda. "Let's Talk Kwanzaa: Unwrapping the Good Vibes." Lavanda Michelle, December 13, 2023. https://lavandamichelle.com/2023/12/13/lets-talk-kwanzaa-unwrapping-the-good-vibes/.

[xuanwudee]

Locals believe that if the mosques in Timbuktu are destroyed, the world will end. That includes the city’s three greatest mosques — Sankore, Sidi Yahia, and Djingareyber — which are now part of the University of Timbuktu. Construction on Djingareyber began when Sultan Mansa Musa returned from his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1327. It was later expanded by Imam Al Aquib from 1570 to 1583. Although the mosque is made of mud, straw, and wood, the structure has withstood hardships over 800 years. The main minaret continues to tower above Timbuktu as the city’s most iconic landmark.