Inspired by the teachings of Dr. John Henrik Clarke

Courtesy:  The John Henrik Clarke Virtual Museum 
of the DuBois Learning Center (November, 2005)

 

From the birthplace of humanity, a time when men were free

With nature growing and creatures roaming - a mighty walk I see

The first made by a woman, First Mother of the Mother Land,

80,000 to 200,000 years ago in Africa’s Sub-Saharan

I can hear the washing of the shores and the Kings still roaring

Animals with fancy names help me to tell this story

 

Primitive, yet civil, was the first society

Following Mother’s lead, Mother-Right, this age, did see

From the Great Lakes region around 200,000 years ago

Our ancestors, known as the Twa, paved the way for others to grow

Up and down the Nile ruled black masters of lands

Creating, trading, and delegating working hands

 

Ageless is this epic of human migration

Women and men of might and will populated new nations

The journey from Africa to Eurasia pre-dates recorded time

As they ventured, every mountain was new and each forest was a find

I see a rush of Ethiopians darting in my mind

From the Sudan, Egypt, Arabia, Asia, India, and Palestine

Successfully, they sailed the Nile River to Crete

Sustaining old and creating new cultures as they deemed be

 

The Nile Valley was, indeed, the Cradle of Civilization

The ancient Egyptians of Ethiopia thrived and built a mighty nation

Around 6,000 years ago, the Egyptians ruled

Studied astronomy, music, medicine, and chemistry in Mystery Schools

In addition to rhetoric, calculus, art, and geometry

All of the world’s religions were borne in this spiritual community

From about 6,000 BC until 300 BC., the Egyptians saw 27 dynasties

Later, overrun by the Persians, this great people were rarely free

 

The most inquisitive of all creatures are we, mortal beings

Ever-seeking the origin of life and the creator of all things

Over 40,000 years ago, the case was the same

Our forefathers embraced beliefs - though they were later destroyed or changed

Pyramids reached for the sky way before Pythagoras was born

Warriors exercised powers, but from their prowess, most were torn

Now in this day of special wants and needs, 

we must stay on our feet until we are free

 

From the birthplace of humanity to a time when all are free

With nature growing and creatures roaming, this is the walk I see