HACO | Harambee Afrikan Cultural Organization

Harambee Afrikan Cultural Organization

Who we are

The Harambee Afrikan Cultural Organization is an organization of African people committed to the return of persons of African ancestry to a traditional African way of viewing ourselves, each other, and the world of which we are a part. This traditional African view places the family and community at the heart of human experience, with the individual person gaining meaning from his or her contributions to the well-being of family and community. It is a wholistic view, in which both the material and non-material components and aspects of our life on earth are seen as integral and interconnected parts of a single whole. And it is a view which values cooperation and harmony over competitiveness and individualism.

Our Agenda

The Harambee Afrikan Cultural Organization attempts to bring about this return to the traditional African view through the study of the history of African people on the outside of the African continent and the traditional values and cultures of our people. Secondly, we seek to internalize these values. Thirdly, we study current events and developments and endeavor to see and assess them through an Africentric frame of reference. And, lastly, we attempt to develop a sense of identity by which we see all people of African ancestry as forming one family of which we are an integral part and by which we are motivated to act only in ways that will benefit our family.

The prison chapter of the Harambee Afrikan Cultural Organization, which is located at the Nebraska State Pen and is the founding chapter, has a particular focus, owing to the circumstance that this institution is a facility for males. This focus is tranformation from "black" malehood to African manhood. By this, we mean change from a condition of mere recognition of our darkness of skin and physical maleness to recognition and understanding of our common African ancestry, commitment to acting in the interests of African people, and realization and assumption of the emotional and psychological maturity and sense of responsibility which define a man in an Africentric sense. Transformation to African manhood also marks a recognition of the idea that the natural relationship between male and female is a complementary one.

The prison chapter is guided by our Constitution and By-laws, by our "Code of Mutual Respect," the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles, as introduced to African people in the U.S. by Maulana Karenga), our organization creed and the pledge. Our creed and pledge:

"Together we seek to know that which is us, to expand our collective consciousness of who we are and whence we come. We exalt in the fact that Afrikans are beautiful in our own right, rather than at the expense of any other group of people. And in the true spirit of the Swahili word, 'harambee', we promote the idea that cultural awareness is germane to human growth."

"As African men, we commit ourselves to respecting ourselves and each other; to respecting african women; and to respecting our children and youth, and giving them proper guidance."

Umoja (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-determination)
Ujima (Collective work & responsibility)
Ujamaa (Coorperative economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)

Leadership Structure

We are led by our central committee, which is comprised of the following officers:

NGUZO SABA
Alaga (Chairman)
Eso/Alakoso Asha (Sgt.-at-Arms/Chairman of Cultural Affairs Committee)
Eleto (Administrative Chairman)
Olotu Eko (Education Chairman)
Akowe (Secretary)
Akapo (Treasurer)
Akewi (Librarian)

Meetings

Our Meetings are held every Tuesday from 6 to 7:45 p.m. The format for our meetings is as follows:

Libation ceremony in honor of our ancestors
Recitation of organization creed, nguzo saba, and pledge
Central Committee reports
Unfinished and new business
General discussion
Education program

Getting the message out

The Harambee Afrikan Cultural Organization prison chapter puts out a monthly newsletter, the HARAMBEE FLAME. Through this organ, we share with our readers commentaries on events and developments occuring in African communites and/or having impacts on African people; present news on our chapter and on our people elsewhere throughout the U.S., the African continent, and wherever else African people live; run poetry and other creative writing; and feature other forms of information and insight.

What you can do

We seek partnership with African people on the outside. If you have knowledge and insights on history, current events, African traditions, and/or other topics you believe might be enlightening; if you have talents in music, dance, painting, or other art forms in the African/pan-African traditions and would like to share these with us; or if you simply want to check us out, we invite you to contact us. Write to:
Harambee Afrikan Cultural Organization
PO Box 2500
Lincoln NE 68542-2500
Or call (402) 479-3379, Monday through Friday.
Leave a message. We will return your call.
It is best to call between 1 and 2:45 p.m.
Also, if you have books, tapes, etc. you'd be interested in contributing, please notify us so we can inform you of the procedures that have to be followed.

Photos

Nebraska's Two Political Prisoners
www.N2PP.info

2016-04-17 Sun 08:56 ct