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?15 February 2019 Black Faces in IndiaPeople are becoming more aware of the need to be diverse in their thinking. Yearbooks of prestigious universities have become a source of record of institutionalized racism. Because of its subconscious nature, eradicating racism has become a lengthy process that involves true self-reflection and actualization. The privileged are not entitled to mock the less privileged when God made us all. Accept the value of people regardless of the color of their skin. Everyone has value and is worth something. My existence on this planet is just as important as anyone else, coming to this realization benefits us all. It is mindless to mock another person’s race or group of people and in black face hide behind their own masked insecurities. This deprives the dignity of any man. Where is the respect for the human race includes all races, cultures?and language? Even in Yoga, there is a need for further inclusion starting with the diversity of its origins. Looking back at ancient India for example, black faces emerge framed in kinky hair with the presence of, though disputed, a people of African descent.Not by coincidence, dreadlocks grown in India point towards ancient times, when through trade, the east of Africa reached the shores of India. The arrival of black skinned foreigners to the Indus Kush valley was historical, a moment preserved in Sanskrit texts and oral traditions. The lasting influence of Africans in India goes beyond a hairstyle and is reflected in its language and theology.The Power of The Written WordInvestigating the Africa’s influence on India’s Sanskrit language.?It wasn’t until the invasions of competing tribes, that a formalized written expression of the Vedas, a celebrated ancient text dating back to 1500 B.C.? was developed, securing the Sanskrit manuscript kept the integrity of yogic thought and philosophy during a time of repeated tribal wars. Each invading tribe brought its own culture and language thus influencing the invention of Sanskrit. The Dravidians were located south, the Aryans north and in between a tribe called the “nagas” created the Nagari language. ?Both Nagari and Sanskrit are read from left to right and share many of the same words and symbols.In addition to sharing language, the Nagas influenced the theology of Ancient India.? Mentioned in the Ramayana and Mahabharata, ancient texts written in Sanskrit, the Nagas ruled in the capitol city of Dekkan. The first book of Mahabharata, the Adi Parva, records the? ?Nagas rule in India, existing before its Aryan invasion. ?According to the Kebra Negast, an ancient Ethiopian text, the Nagas came to the shores of India traveling from Africa, which is consistent with ancient accounts of dreadlocks worn by the Nagas, a race closely identified with snakes. In addition, Buddha is depicted with serpents arranged like rays of the sun encompassing his head. The worship of snakes, like those revered in Pre-Christian Ethiopia, dominates images in the Hindu pantheon of deity. a Coptic Yogi, the Solomonic ties of Ethiopia offers the traditions of the Old Testament which includes the Nazarite vow, the promise of not cutting one’s hair as a devotion to God. Found in the book of Judges, the promise originates from the Nazarites, a select group of people dedicated to spiritual service. A famous example of a Nazarite is Samson, who since birth never cut his hair. Known as one of the strongest men ever to walk the planet, Samson was able to take on numerous soldiers at a time all by the strength found in his hair. So much so, that when his hair is cut, he loses his power. At the end of his life, however Samson is given his strength again without his hair and kills thousands of Philistines along with him at the time of his death.One of the distinct characteristics of African people spread across the world, is the kinkiness of dreadlocked hair. Though termed “dreadful” the promise to God gives having dreadlocks a spiritual expression. Worn by all races today, it remains a historical hairstyle derived from the rich culture of Israel, Ethiopia and India.Thank you for reading,Please share with others,Eboni ................
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