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Iya Makeda Kemit
Founder and Walimu

THE AFRICAN-CENTERED WALIMU (ACW): MORE THAN THE JUST A TEACHER

(Exerpt from an article written by Baye Kemit)

A closer examination of the section on "Walimu" provides a clear articulation of what ACW embody. According to Baba Agyei Akoto, ACW:

  1. Are a representative of the whole culture.
  2. Are entrusted with the task of inculcating the essential values of that culture and thereby guaranteeing its continuation.
  3. Come to the classroom representing in one sense the limitations of tradition and the existing order.
  4. Bring with him/her all the accumulated wisdom of tradition and must seek to impart that wisdom in a way that inspires and fuels the new energy and unlimited potential of the mwanafanzi (student).
  5. Must possess a general command of that accumulated wisdom, along with a specific mastery of a chosen area of speciality.
  6. Must possess a deep-felt and infectious drive to achieve greater command of both the wisdom of tradition and modernity.
  7. Must bring enthusiasm, conviction, ideological clarity, moral integrity, and courage, as well as knowledge, to the teaching/learning environment.
  8. Must be generally knowledgeable of the history of Afrika: of the major events and themes that characterize that history. He/she must additionally be knowledgeable of the involvement of Afrikans in world history, as well as the current involvement of Afrikans in the specific discipline being taught.

As stated above, ACW, as practitioners of African-culture, create realities within the classroom that are unique to African-centered shuleni. For example, teachable moments in the African centered setting range from discussions on Yoruba orisa (deities); how Osun is the river and her offerings are pumpkins, flowers, citric fruits, and sweets. A lesson could be developed on learning about growing pumpkin seeds, then having students grow them in the classroom. It could then be followed by a trip to a local farm, concluding with a visit to the river to make offerings to the spirit of Osun, which lies in the river. Since the ACW is well studied and a practitioner of the orisa tradition, the facilitation of such an activity would go congruent with on-going classroom lessons on African traditional cultures like the Yoruba, Akan, Nile Valley, kwk.