A Tribute to Hannibal Afrik, Master Teacher and Institute Builder
By Jamila Barbara Onyeali
Presented by Omni-U Virtual University
Ancestor Hannibal Afrik
We, the Bolozi Wazee Council of Elders Shule YaWatoto, have been truly honored to have received Baba Hannibal’s wise counsel and his unyielding leadership… He trained and enstooled each of us as Community Elders and gave African names to Mzees: Aminata Short, Amina Mayo, Kambon Johnson, Soyini Najwa, Kalonji Pates, Ayoka Sevanhu, Nantambu Johnson, and Koumba Johnson. He commissioned us to be guardians of the culture, the tradition, and the history of African People and to serve as a link between the past and present. According to the sacred Husia, our esteemed leader has qualified for the highest of human qualities and spiritual divinity.
His many scholarly works have awakened African people at home and abroad.
His message, mandated by the Ancestors, resonates with us today.
He said “Nation-building should be the only reason for our existence, individually and collectively. How can we call ourselves Nationalists when we have still failed to create a model of new communities?
It’s not about Hannibal, "pro" or "con", it’s about doing the work of building a sovereign New African Nation-State in our lifetime. Anything else is hypocrisy, deception, and collaboration with our historical enemies. I do not intend to compromise on the principles and values of nation-building. When you have chastised me to slow down, my response has always been, 'I’ll step back when others step up.”
He devoted 50 years of his life to the Black Liberation Struggle. Now he [has] joined our Ancestral African Warriors who preferred liberation over subjugation. May he take his rightful place with the Creator and Ancestors: Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey; Queen Mother Moore; Brother Minister Malcolm X/ El Hajj Malik El Shabazz; Sister Harriet Tubman, and others.
When libations are offered by the Bolozi Wazee Council of Elders, his name will be called and our request for blessings will be granted as we give honor and praise to the spiritual memory of Baba Hannibal Tirus Afrik, who Africanized, Nationalized, and Revolutionized Black People, paved the way for an African Nation-State, and whose mantra was “It’s Nation Time” and “Free the Land.”
Now that he is our revered Ancestor, we can rejoice in his transition for, indeed, he has demonstrated good speech and deep thought which will remain in our consciousness for as long as the sun shines and the waters flow.
In the final analysis, we believe with him:
“PamojaTutashnde”
"Together we will win!"
Recommended Readings
Dr. Authens Asantewaa Oppong Wadie, Editor and Compiler and Ancestor Bart McSwine. The Eternal Year of African People.
Ancestor Tony Martin. Race First.
Ancestor Alex Haley and Ancestor Malcolm
X. The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
George Breitman. Malcolm X Speaks.
George Sullivan. In Their Own Words: Harriet Tubman
Recommended Listening