Mama Tomiko and Baba Ty discussed Black Love Day on the Wednesday, February 10 edition of Africa400 with Mama Ayo Handy-Kendi, founder of PositivEnergyWorks (https://www.positivenergyworks.com), as part of Africa400’s Black Love Series for February.
Check out the audio of the program, which was broadcast on HANDRadio (https://www.handradio.org) below:
Below, Mama Ayo briefly explains Black Love Day and some activities that are fitting for the occasion.
We also include below a link to purchase Mama Ayo’s book, The Black Love Book, as an e-book.
What Is Black Love Day (BLD)?
Black Love Day (BLD) is the 3rd nationally commemorative Holiday (wholyday) observance of atonement, reconciliation, and 24 hour demonstration of Black Love through 5 tenets (loving acts):
for The Creator,
for Self,
for the Black Family,
the Black Community,
and the Black Race
Some Traditional Things to Do on Black Love Day:
- It’s NOT WHERE YOU GO for Black Love Day (BLD)- it is WHAT YOU DO to demonstrate (show) love on this day. Demonstrate the 5 Tenets (acts of love) on BLD to transform on this wholyday, then practice these tenets everyday to maintain the higher vibration of love. Events and activities are held in honor of, to celebrate or to commemorate Black Love Day, so make the distinction. For example: Black Love Day is not the Black Luv Festival or the Relationship Ceremony, both held in D.C.. Instead Black Love Day, Feb. 13th is commemorated for 24 hours, both locally, nationally and internationally.
- The greeting is Nya Akoma (N yah Ah comah) means get a heart, be patient
- Display the Akoma, an ancient African Adinkra symbol of love, patience, goodwill, faithfulness and endurance. This heart-shaped symbol was re-named and co-opted as a “Valentine”;
- Wear the colors Purple and Black-purple of spiritual growth and royalty; black for the color of the people and freedom from evil (Psalms 7 or 12);
- Buy BLD conscious-raising gifts from Black merchants, practicing the tenet of Black Race love. Avoid the usual Valentine’s candy, trinkets, stuffed animals, jewelry. Consider buying healing products or food, inspirational, spiritual gift or hand-crafted gifts, made from the heart;
- In-gather the people at a Black Love Relationship Ceremony including in the Ritual of Reconciliation.
The Black Love Book 3rd Ed (E-Book) by Ayo Handy-Kendi
Get the Black Love Book to Learn More About Black Love Day and the healing power of Love:
The Black Love Book, 3rd Edition (E-Book) by Ayo Handy-Kendi
$12.00
This is the 3rd edition of this book, an anthology about love and a how-to guide on observing the “wholyday” Black Love Day (BLD) observed annually on February 13th. This revised book includes some new material from the first edition, some corrections and enhanced artwork.
Written as the “definitive guide” on observing BLD, by the founder of the wholyday, Ayo Handy-Kendi, The Breath Sekou, the book explains BLD‟s origin, its symbols, and its rituals. The book further provides concrete suggestions of “love in action” activities that can be initiated on BLD, in Black and White communities to help these communities heal through love in ways that are meaningful, far beyond the 13th.
The history and background of Valentine’s Day, the up-til-now, holiday of love, is also included with an explanation as to why, BLD, is a more spiritual, cultural and wholistic alternative that is needed now by African Americans to rejuvenate and re-bond their relationships through love. As an anthology, the book further offers inspirational, poems, essays and articles that describe love’s many forms and expressions while providing helpful techniques of love’s healing transformational power.
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