Welcome (back) to Powered by Nyame, formerly Powered by Ancestry. Why the change? For our dear subscribers, a change or evolution has occurred indeed. For those of you new to the channel, just jump on board and all will make sense after you've watch a few of our previous videos. In this episode, shot live somewhere in the world, I explain the transition from PBA to PBN and share something about how this all came about. Enjoy and apologies for the two week hiatus!

Born in Burkina Faso, Malidoma is the foremost teacher of African spirituality in America. Here, he discusses race, masculinity and how indigenous traditions are relevant to modern society.

Logic is a method of reasoning that involves a series of statements, each of which must be true if the statement before it is true. In this video, we dive into the fascinating world of African philosophy, shedding light on its unique system of logic known as 'Ezumezu'. Often overshadowed by Western theoretical frameworks, Ezumezu presents a non-conventional approach to understanding logical reasoning, highlighted by cultural nuances and rich historical contexts. It is not a lecture, but more of an aerial view.Throughout this immersive journey, you will witness the efforts made by African philosophers to unravel the indigenous wisdom embedded within Ezumezu and the critical role it continues to play in facilitating fruitful intercultural communication, irrespective of evolving global landscapes.Pack your curiosity and join us as we traverse into the heart of Africa, unlocking hidden layers of knowledge and gaining insights about the logical constructs deeply entrenched within African societies. Expect to gain a fresh perspective on logic and reasoning, all the while treading paths significant to the tapestry of African philosophy and history.Remember to comment, like, and subscribe if you find this content intriguing, and don't hesitate to join discussions in the comment section. I value your insights, and together, let us piece together the pictures painted by African history, philosophy, and the allure of Ezumezu.

Dive into this riveting exploration of Time as we traverse the vibrant African landscape. Through the eyes of Tariro, a young girl deeply entwined in her African roots, we scrutinize the traditional concept of time.

This video unveils how time in Africa isn't merely a set of ticking hands or a digital display but it is akin to a flowing river, shaped by community events and shared experiences.

We will delve into the fascinating works of African philosophers like E.J. Alagoa and Kanu Ikechukwu Anthony, exploring the harmonic interplay of spirituality, environment, and society in the African concepts of time and causality.

The effect of globalization and the advent of Western time values are also discussed, exhibiting how it subtly fuses with the African rhythm, reshaping societal behavior.

Our journey concludes with a vital introspection: Is life trapped within the divisions of time, or is it time that is framed by life and culture its rhythm?

Was this evolution beneficial or has it steered us away from the heartbeat of life?

Discover how time metamorphosizes from a measurer into a storytelling entity of shared experiences and shifts in realities across African landscapes.

References:

1. African Concept of Time, a Socio-Cultural Reality in the Process of Change.
Sunday Fumilola Babalola* and Olusegun Ayodeji Alokan Ph.D
Department of Religious Studies, Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji-Arakeji, PM

2. An African Philosophy of Time.
E.J. Alagoa, Port Harcourt

3. Causality in African Ontology.
Kanu, Ikechukwu Anthony (OSA)
Department of Philosophy, Augustinian Institute, Makurdi

#africa #philosophy #knowledgehow African traditional religions and philosophies differ from Western ones.Africa is a continent with rich and diverse cultures. It has a diverse range of religions and philosophies. Some of these religions and philosophies are different from Western ones. Below are some of the key differences between African and Western religions and philosophies.What makes a philosophy African? The first thing to know is that more than three decades of debate ended with the affirmation that African philosophy does exist.------------- Chapters -----------------0:00 - How African traditional religions and philosophies differ from Western ones0:25 - What makes a philosophy African?01:04 - African Philosophy as an Extension of Western Philosophy02:37 - African Philosophy as an Independent System of Thought 03:44 - On God 05:53 - On Human Nature06:23 - On African Traditional Religions09:04 - Ancestors and their role in religion11:44 - ConclusionThe debate on the status of African philosophy has been a long-standing one. On the one hand, some have argued that African philosophy does not exist and that it is a contradiction in terms. On the other hand, others have argued that African philosophy is merely an extension of Western philosophy. For them, Africa has yet to produce a philosophical tradition of its own.African Philosophy as an Extension of Western PhilosophyIn this line of thought, African philosophers are seen as mere followers or imitators of Western philosophers. There are no genuine African philosophical traditions. Because Africa has never had an indigenous system of thought, with its own originality and creativity. It is argued that the very notion of “African philosophy” is problematic. Because it implies that there exists such a thing as “Western philosophy” and “non-Western philosophy”. where “Western” refers to European or some other non-African concepts and ideas, which are assumed to be universal. And “non-Western” refers to any concept or idea that is not Western.It is also argued that there are no non-Western philosophers. Because every philosopher is necessarily a Westerner. This is because whatever a philosopher may say, he says it from within the framework of a particular culture and tradition. And this framework remains Western. It is argued that there can be no philosophy outside the West because the very notion of philosophy requires the existence of a rational or logical system of thought based on the principle of non-contradiction. This principle is said to have been formulated by Aristotle in his Metaphysics. Hence, it follows that any philosopher who does not accept this principle as valid cannot be a genuine philosopher.African Philosophy as an Independent System of Thought with its Own Originality and CreativityIn this line of thought, African philosophy exists because Africa has always had its own indigenous philosophical traditions which are unique to Africa. These traditions have been the product of African creativity and are not the result of any influences from outside. In this regard, African philosophy may be said to be an independent system of thought with its own originality and creativity.This view is based on what is called “the principle of historical particularism”. The principle states that a philosophical system cannot be judged in isolation. For example from its cultural and historical context. In other words, a philosopher’s ideas cannot be separated from his cultural background or social environment. Hence, it follows that African philosophy cannot be understood apart from its specific historical, cultural, and social context.It is argued that the concept of God as Creator does not exist in traditional African thought. That it was borrowed from Christianity by some European scholars who misinterpreted African traditional beliefs about God or gods as monotheistic beliefs in one universal God who created the world ex nihilo (out of nothing). The same holds true for the concept of human nature as “ rational”, which is said to be an idea borrowed from the European Enlightenment.These ideas were then used to argue that Africans have no philosophy in their own right. The truth is that Africans do have a concept of God as Creator, but it is different from the concept of God as Creator of the Christian tradition. And Africans do not consider humans to be “rational”, but they do recognize that humans can think and reason.

African Spirituality

For those prone to stress and losing their tempers, the Yoruba people of West Africa can offer a distinctive remedy: an unflappable attitude known as 'itutu'.
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CREDITS

Produced in collaboration with:

Alexandra Balan
https://www.sashaanimates.com/


Title animation produced in collaboration with


Graeme Probert
www.gpmotion.co.uk

In this episode, we explore a question—yes, another question—from one of our subscribers. The subscriber asked, “how have Abrahamic religions, which were forced upon us, hindered our intellectual and spiritual development?” Please keep your questions and comments coming. Yours might be spotlighted next!

Spirituality in Africa

In this episode, we explore yet another important question from one of our subscribers, who asked, “what are your thoughts on being initiated in more than one tradition”? The answer may not be what you think. Stay tuned!