Months in the African Cultural Calendar
The African Cultural Calendar (Africalendar) combines both our history and the purpose of a calendar to tell our people’s story in time. A year in the Africalendar is a journey through our history from the Nile Valley to the diaspora. The months in the Africalendar represent our history from the beginning to the current time. The first month is called Kemet. Kemet is from our beginning; it is one of the first great societies our ancestors built. The year in the Africalendar ends with a renewal period called Kwanzaa. With the African Cultural Calendar, we journey through our history and cultures as time flows from Kemet to Kwanzaa.
Afrimonth: Kemet (Jan 2 to Jan 31)
The africalendar starts from almost at the beginning of the people’s history. The first month in the afriyear is Kemet. The word Kemet means black. It is the name that Africans in ancient Egypt called themselves and their country. Egypt has been called “the light of the world” and Kemet is the light that starts the year. The history of Kemet is the history of civilization, and it is an achievement of the people. Our history cannot properly be written without starting with Kemet. Our people from the Ashantis to the Zulus place their origin in the Nile valley, where Kemet flourished. Kemet reflects the beginning and that is the reason that the africalendar begins each year with the month Kemet.
Afrimonth: Nubia (Feb 1 to Feb 28/29)
Nubia is the second month in the African cultural calendar. It is similar to February; in that it has 28 days or 29 days in a leap year. Nubia is one of the great civilizations that form the foundation of the people. It was located south of Kemet but it preceded and may have even given birth to Egypt. Nubia and Egypt shared many similarities. Egypt adopted symbols of royalty similar to those of Nubia.
Afrimonth: Meroe (Mar 1 to Mar 30)
Meroe rose to prominence after Nubia. It was a capital city of the well known empire of Cush. It was located along the Nile valley, close to modern day Sudan. It shared similarities with Nubia and Egypt including writing styles.
Afrimonth: Axum (Mar 31 to Apr 29)
The afrimonth Axum got its name from the society that existed on the east coast of Africa. Axum is an old civilization that predates biblical times. This highly developed society existed for thousands of years and became known to the outside world as a Christian society. This was the home of Queen Sheba mentioned in the bible. Axum is still alive today. The Ethiopia we know today is a part of Axum, Queen of Sheba’s empire. It shared similarities with Nubia and Meroe.