Greetings members,

May you, your families and your communities be well and in harmony.

Since our last newsletter, the global focus has been shifted as a global health crisis has subsided and a war in Ukraine has emerged that affects many people globally. Similar to the previous crisis, the war has grabbed the attention of so many and moved large numbers of people to help those suffering. This shows that so many people crave different, more harmonious actions within our human race.

You might wonder what became of the unity in humanity. We see in the media, in movies and in our own lives so many conflicts, social inequalities and wars on different groups of people in our societies. These conflictual situations and actions made by fellow human beings on the land of the Earth leave great division, dispersion, hurt and loss.

We might ask if there was ever a time and a place of cohesion and unity. Were we able at some point to walk together without fighting each other on the land in ‘turf’ wars. Was there a time when we lived on a patch of land that we took care of and that took care of us and that was simply enough to live well together.

When I first went to West Africa on pilgrimage to visit and experience the living Kemetic culture, I was struck by the welcome from the many people we visited. We were greeted on arrival at whichever village with water and place to sit in shade. Time and space would be opened by acknowledging all that came before. Stories and perspectives were then shared and each time we found common ground on which to relate to each other despite the differences in language and backgrounds.

I realized that an abundant mindset clearly didn’t need a lot of what we might see as material wealth. And given the wealth of nations we see fighting each other, a scarcity mindset doesn’t come from a lack of material wealth either.

Whatever our reasons for traveling to West Africa, we were greeted with hospitality by the people on that land, a hospitality that begins with a premise (a foundation) that we are all a single race of human beings.  It’s clear that we have the ability to hurt others and we can see that we have the capabilities to be well with each other too.
The Kemetic (Sidereal) Calendar is one of the oldest calendars still in circulation in humanity. This calendar keeps us grounded in Natural realities that can help us to rise above the divisive and conflictual aspects of our human nature. Each month is governed by a God or Goddess and this month the God is Nefertmu. His characteristics include looking for a new way of going about life and he is comfortable with diversity. I invite you to take a moment to connect with these qualities at this time.

The founder of the Earth Center Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig laid out the mission to preserve and promote humanity’s Ancestral culture in order to support the health and well-being of all people. Work continues each day to fulfill that lofty mission to be in harmony with the diversity of our race and our environment. This month the Projects of Meritah branch gives an update of the biggest annual Pilgrimage yet which in addition to the other projects are helping to revitalize Kemetic life. One of the travelers on this pilgrimage shares the impact that visiting and experiencing the culture has had on him and his family.

As our founder said “You can’t change the world, but you can be the image of what you want to see in the world. By doing so, you can make your positive contribution to humanity’s walk back towards unity. If you wish to engage more in the Earth Center’s mission please do contact us at Membership@theearthcenter.org and together we will do our part in human unity.

Biksaa Nessebik
President of The Board of Directors
The Earth Center Maanu Inc.

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PROJECTS OF MERITAH UPDATE

Projects of Meritah (POM) is the Charitable Projects Branch of the Earth Center non profit organization.

What is Meritah?

Meritah is the original name of the continent that many of us identify today as Africa. In many languages, Meritah means "beloved land". Kem culture is born out of the continent of Meritah, and unites humanity under the principles of Nature. Therefore, the cultural heritage preserved in Meritah is a wealth for all those seeking healing, revitalization, and reclamation of their roots.

Our Vision

We Preserve Indigenous Culture by Revitalizing Kem Life.

What We Do

Through projects and initiatives that revitalize the way of life of people and their environment, POM ensures that humanity can continue to benefit from the time-tested knowledge, culture, practices, and civilizing influences of this culture that has supported humanity since time immemorial. POM’s projects and initiatives focus on providing access to clean water, supporting traditional farming, restoring Kem temples and other traditional institutions, children’s education, spiritual and cultural pilgrimages as well as supporting other aspects of indigenous life.

UPDATES

Annual Pilgrimage

POM hosts opportunities annually for students of the Earth Center’s M’Tam School of Kem Philosophy and Spirituality and the general public to visit the temples, villages, and historical sites in West Africa. This affords pilgrims the opportunity for full immersion into indigenous cultural practices and traditions. Travelers see and experience many things during this pilgrimage that they will not experience during a touristic trip or journey taken alone.

POM received some 100 travelers during the 2021/2022 pilgrimage, including children, from all over the world at our healing center and temples in Togo and Burkina Faso, West Africa, thus making this pilgrimage our biggest yet in the history of The Earth Center and its strategic partner organization, Ankhkasta Natural Healing.

Given the prevailing division and conflict among those who rule our society and in the current challenging state of global affairs, what would bring all these travelers from different backgrounds together?

The guidance received from the Ancestors during this pilgrimage reminds all that there is a common root, an umbilical cord, that unites all of humanity. Whether pilgrims came to heal, learn, or experience the original living Kem (Kemetic) culture first-hand, each traveler was able to come closer to the cultural roots that unite us all. This immersive experience is possible because the Kem communities in Meritah (Africa) have worked hard and sacrificed much, generation after generation, to preserve the cultural roots of humanity and knowledge against the test of time and colonization.

In all the Ancestral wisdom, which was shared during this pilgrimage, the theme of “Cohesion and Unity” stands at the forefront for the world this year. Throughout history, and to this day, colonization and the destruction of indigenous culture thrives by creating and infiltrating the cracks between the common goals, symbols, and principles that unite humanity. Furthermore, modern-day education and exposure are centered on fostering a mindset of individualism that not only separates human beings, destroys relationships and the sense of community on a societal level, but also distances people from a way of life that is harmonious with the environment and Nature.

In contrast to this socio-political division that is witnessed all over the world, the pilgrimage to Meritah offers a firsthand look at how unity and cohesion within and among communities are central to life and survival for indigenous societies. Pilgrims experienced first-hand what it means to fit into a community based on natural principles as well as the challenges and joys that come with adjusting to such a reality. The experiences included: waking up to greet everyone in the community, the preparation of food together and sharing meals, the number of hands in the sequence of completing a ceremony, the raising of children collectively, the way the community comes together in times of celebration and conflict. Every facet of the Kem culture exemplifies many deep layers of spiritual and energetic understanding that ensure the interconnectedness amongst people and always emphasize the way we are connected to Nature and benefit from its abundance and protection when our lives are focused on cohesion and unity.

Children’s Education Fund (CEF)

The youth of the Dogon communities have been educated to understand the intricacies of working closely with nature. They are now seeking support so that they can pursue a modern school education in order to have the skills necessary to communicate and interact on a global scale. With the solid educational foundation they

receive in both worlds, they will be ready to heal, guide, and enlighten the paths of those they come in contact with in the future.

Up until the academic year 2021/22 (Sidereal calendar year 421), the CEF has been able to support some 50 children with school fees, uniforms, books, and supplies. This support was greatly appreciated by traditional and government authorities, the school leaders, and the elders of the communities in which the children live with their families.

Water Projects

Water is a basic necessity of life. Indigenous communities depend on wells for cooking, bathing, washing clothes and drinking. Our water projects aim to increase the accessibility of clean and safe drinking water sources in villages to reduce both the time and energy that is spent on fetching water and increase the health of the communities. Reliable access to clean water revitalizes village life by allowing people to grow more and varied foods year round. Such water access makes it possible for more children to stay in school and eventually create economic opportunities that reduce the temptation to move to the city and thus remove vital productive energies from the village communities.

We have built water wells with a tank and pumping system in the Het Aishat Center for indigenous healing in the mountains of Togo, West Africa to ensure that healing takes place in a clean and pure environment. Water wells have also been built in other villages in Togo and Burkina Faso.

Indigenous Healing Center

The Earth Center's first Healing Center, Het Aishat, located in the mountains of Togo, West Africa, provides mental, physical, and spiritual healing services to all who are in need. Clients come from local areas and around the globe to work with healers and spiritual professionals in a serene environment that provides the natural components necessary for holistic healing. Ankhkasta Natural Healing, a partner organization, provides the healing services and supports the maintenance of the facility.

The Het Aishat Center was one of the places that travelers visited during the most recent pilgrimage. The infrastructure has been improved with a water system, solar energy, and internet access to facilitate communication between healers and those in need of comprehensive holistic natural healing around the world.

Farming: Land/Forest Reclamation and Agroforestry

Farming is at the center of our land reclamation, agroforestry, and integrated permaculture initiatives, which restore depleted land, reclaim natural forests and lands that surround the Het Aishat Healing Center, as well as preserve seeds and plant or tree species. Without these reclamation and seed/species diversity preservation initiatives, it is not possible to revitalize life in indigenous communities.

The Earth Center has reclaimed land in Togo near the Het Aishat Healing Center so far. To make a significant impact we need to reclaim more lands in more locations in Africa, especially lands and forests that are near indigenous communities to support farming and other life preservation activities.

Kem Youth Center

The goal of the Kem Youth Center (KYC) is to guide participating youth to appreciate and participate in preserving the indigenous way of life and practices of their original Kem culture. The Kem Youth Center creates more complete and culturally balanced leaders for the complex and connected world of tomorrow. This goal is achieved through summer camps in Meritah (Africa) that are followed by after school and weekend mentorship programs supported by students of the M’Tam School of Kemetic Philosophy and Spirituality.

We are raising funds to launch the first summer session in 2023.

Find out more about our Charitable Projects and how you can support us by visiting: https://www.projectsofmeritah.org

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Reflection on Pilgrimage from an Initiate

This year, I had the honour of attending The Earth Center’s 421 pilgrimage in Togo, with my wife, and our two boys (aged 3 years, and 7 months). For the boys and I, it was our first time in Meritah. My wife however, was born and raised in the Ivory Coast, which is a one hour flight from Togo.

There was much uncertainty about our trip. Not only was it our first trip as a family, but it was also our first pilgrimage. Considering what was happening in the world at that time, we were unsure what we would encounter at the different countries, airports, etc. Somehow, our path was cleared, and we made it to Het Aishat.

My very first memory of arriving at Het Aishat, was receiving the warmest welcome I ever received in my entire life… People, faces, men, women, and children that I’ve never seen before, welcomed me as if we knew each other our whole life… Before I could even grab my luggage, a few of the brothers began bringing it to the location my family and I would be staying. I purchased a tent earlier on our trip, however I never got the chance to set it up myself before arriving. In minutes! Initiates were gathered around, clearing the ground from rocks and debris, helping me figure out how to set up the tent before sunset. And we did.

That night, I had my first meal in Het Aishat. I can’t remember what we ate, but I remember eating with three other brothers, out of the same plate with our hand. As we ate, I couldn’t stop looking at the sky…The starts were so bright and so clear to see, I might have mistakenly thought I could touch one…

Before I went to sleep, I listened and observed the initiates and other people around. I saw different people of different backgrounds eating together. I noticed everyone having this subtle quiet humility. Reflecting the behaviour of human beings trying to evolve. Being careful, not to impose their own corruption on others around them. A beautiful sight to behold coming from the west…

For me this day was the most impactful. It allowed me to see how much I didn’t know. How many people around the world I haven’t met. How many cultures and styles of living I haven’t been exposed to. For me, and my family, I truly value the experience. As it set a standard for us going forward, to be open minded, and respectful to the people we meet, and the lands we encounter anywhere we go.

MezKnwn Maakheprit
M’TAM Initiate, Toronto Generation 1

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