What We Are About
We align our mission, purpose, and goals with key Kwanzaa principles. Our mission aligns with self-determination (Kujichagulia), our purpose with purpose (Nia), and our goals with the Kwanzaa principle of unity (Umoja).
Mission/Kujichagulia = Self-Determination
To encourage awareness of our Pan-African heritage through the exploration of West Africa-Benin Republic- Ouidah. By awareness, we mean gaining personal insights and understanding through an African worldview.
According to Kwanzaa Karenga (2002) "Kujichagulia=Self-Determination: we define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves (p.7).”
Purpose/Nia = Purpose
The building and development for rich cultural experiences through dynamic dialogue, shared interests, and the vision of community. The Africans of the Diaspora-African Americans and the Africans of Benin Republic-Ouidah fortify an intercultural exchange fluidity.
When practicing Nia, “we make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.”
Goals/Umoja=Unity*
We believe the following goals of Back to the Root Cultural Exchange will promote Pan-African unity within Africa and across the African Diaspora.
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Exploration of the culture and its history. Current Project: Soul Journ 2023
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Save the Culture through understanding the importance of tradition and legacy. Current Project: Hunt Contest- Dr. Valerie Hunt’s vision of empowerment of the youth.
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Promoting the native tongue of the Benin Peoples. Current Project: Fongbe with Professor Richard Agbayanou
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Mentorship and finding your own niche. Current Project: You decide what speaks to you in creating a cultural exchange.
SACRED FOREST KPASSE
In the sacred forest of Kpassè in Ouidah city, Benin Republic. Kpassè was the name of the king of the Xwéda, the original name turned to Ouidah by the French's mispronunciation. Just like many other African Kings and elders in the past, King Kpassè had a considerable mastery of mysterious laws of this universe. When he felt his last breath approaching, he transformed himself into an iroko tree that you can still come and touch with your own hands. It is this Iroko tree that makes this specific place where Mr. Amun and Dr. Valerie Hunt are standing call King Kpassè's Sacred Forest.
PLACE CHA CHA
(THE SLAVE MARKET)
Place Cha-cha or the slave market. Here is where the different European merchants will select their products, which products were nothing but our own people. Once selected and priced, the slaves were marked with hot iron just like we mark cows to distinguish their owners. They will then head to the strange land with no hope of returning home one day. The itinerary until the European ship is known as the slave road. A lot of horrible things happened on the way to the ship. It was a sad history worth learning.
Soul Journ 2023
Culture without my culture is acculturation. It is more than a must to the African diaspora, more importantly Afro-descendents to reconnect to their Root, to learn about their history and their culture. So many lies have been told; oppression of all types are what compose black people history. We are kind of lost and are still getting lost. With regard to such situations, it urges to bring Africans of the diaspora and Africans of inside together for fruitful collaborations. Intercultural exchanges appear in that frame as an interesting journey.
On this trip to Danxome, we are getting closer to our people and eyewitness the realities of the motherland. We are learning with evidence our own people's version of the history of the slave trade.
We are visiting the slave road and try to touch with hands the sufferings of our people from home till the strange land.
We are also visiting some important historical sites. There will be some times when we sit and confer about culture, spirituality, religion, politics, etc. There will also be times for enjoyment (attend a Sakpata show and a Zangbeto show).
Paying Respect to Our Ancestors at the Slave Road in Ouidah
The common grave where our people dead and weak are both thrown like animals after dying or weakened by the atrocities of the oppressors.
An Adept Performing
This journ will also be an opportunity to learn more about being an adept of Vodun and being a devotee. He is an adept of the Divinity Koku and is in trance.