2 Books Published by Karnak House on AALBC — Book Cover Collage

Mdw Ntr: Divine Speech by Jacob H. Carruthers takes readers on a journey through the rich intellectual and spiritual traditions of Africa, starting from ancient Egypt (Kemet) and continuing to the present day. The title "Mdw Ntr" refers to the "divine speech" or the sacred language used by the ancient Egyptians, which is at the heart of Carruthers' exploration of African thought.

Content and Themes:

• Historiographical Reflection: The book dives into how African thought has been recorded (or sometimes misrepresented) throughout history. Carruthers takes a closer look at the deep philosophical and spiritual ideas that have shaped African civilizations and critiques how these have often been overlooked or misunderstood in mainstream history.
• African Deep Thought: Carruthers discusses the idea of "deep thought"—essentially, the profound wisdom and philosophy that have been central to African cultures for millennia. He highlights the teachings and practices of ancient Egypt as key examples of this deep thought.
• Mdw Ntr (Divine Speech): A major focus of the book is Mdw Ntr, the sacred language of the ancient Egyptians. Carruthers argues that understanding this language is crucial to unlocking the broader philosophical and spiritual ideas of African civilizations.
• Intellectual Continuity: Carruthers shows how African thought has evolved over time, from the age of the Pharaohs to today, and how these ideas have survived despite the challenges of colonization and cultural change.
• Cultural Reclamation: The book also encourages readers to reconnect with and reclaim African intellectual heritage, emphasizing the importance of remembering and celebrating the deep roots of African culture.

Style and Approach:
Carruthers combines solid research with a passion for uplifting African thought. He breaks down complex ideas in a way that's both thoughtful and accessible, making it clear why this intellectual heritage matters today.

Audience:
This book is for anyone curious about African history, philosophy, or spirituality. Whether you're a scholar, student, or just someone interested in understanding more about Africa's intellectual legacy, you'll find this book a valuable and enlightening read.

Impact:
Mdw Ntr: Divine Speech has been an important work in Afrocentric studies, helping to bring African intellectual and spiritual traditions into the spotlight. Carruthers' writing invites readers to see African history and philosophy as integral to the global story, rather than something on the margins.

Overall, Mdw Ntr: Divine Speech is a powerful exploration of African thought that encourages readers to look deeper into the rich intellectual traditions of Africa, showing how these ideas continue to resonate and inspire today.

The Cultural Unity of Black Africa is a profound contribution to the universal store of knowledge in that it situates the geographical and cultural origins of patriarchy and matriarchy in Europe and Africa respectively, and shows that social systems evolve out of specific climatic and environmental factors. These proclivities predispose the inhabitants of both zones towards a particular world-view and thus meaningful conflict. Diop also demonstrates the extensive influence of ancient Egypt on classical Greece in terms of literature and science/