"Things fall apart: the centre cannot hold; mere anarchy is loosed upon the world.” W.B. Yeats, “The Second Coming”.

The devastating effect of slavery and slave trade, the humiliation brought by colonialism and the hallucinatory effects of religious bigotry are the horrific nightmares that have left Africa in shambles for more than a millennium and still counting. Sadly, Africans have forgotten how they began. We, certainly, did not begin as slaves to White people which, today, we have been made to become. For many centuries since after her turbulence, African historians and a few honest European historians such as Walter Rodney who published: “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa”, Frantz Fanon who wrote: “The Wretched of the Earth” and Joseph Conrad: “The Heart of Darkness” have been making frantic efforts towards rediscovering and restoring the lost stunning cultures and amazing civilizations of the Black race. A lot has been achieved, no doubt, but there are still more to be done in this area of human awareness. This literature is a contribution to that same area of human endeavour. Arochukwu TV goes beyond the traditional Western system of research methodology to rediscover the lost cultures and civilizations which enabled the explanation of the nature of man, especially, the Black man as well as proffering solutions to many of his challenges in this realm of existence. This book can help Africans to understand exactly how they began. It would equally be helpful those who desire to be fully acquainted with the knowledge of whom ancient Africans were and who we, modern Africans, ought to be. If who we are today is not who we ought to be, then this research project would lead the way of Africa’s destiny quest for the untold story. It also draws attention to the difference between Western religions and African philosophical traditions and states that religion beclouds minds of Africans and their form of philosophy. It is the heavy yoke of Western religious beliefs and practices tied around the neck of Africans that deprives them the hunger for knowledge which African philosophical traditions would have offered with ease. Culturally, Africans are bound by one belief system which is their philosophical traditions bedeviled by divisional Western religions. “Now he has won our brothers and our clan can no longer act like one. He has put a knife on the things that held us together and now we have fallen apart.” Chinua Achebe, “Things Fall Apart” Africans are still Africans, but have lost the essential nature of Africa. The fall of Africa is not a good thing. It is not only a great, but an irreplaceable loss to humanity because the African nature is supernatural. Everything in nature is made in twos: Man – Woman, White race – Black race, Above – Below, Life – Death, Dry season – Rainy season, Day – Night and so on. The Black race is assigned the duty of invoking supernatural wisdom and transmitting their discoveries to the White race for development. The world would advance faster if man would understand his role in nature and not interfere with cosmic balance. As the Sun rises from the East and sets in the West, so should the Sun-people transmit spirituality to the Ice-people for the good of humanity. For this to be achievable, the White race should sincerely reconcile with the Black race. If we keep: “Turning and turning in the widening gyre. The falcon cannot hear the falconer.” W.B. Yeats, “The Second Coming”

I stand with arms spread apart in total submission to the supremacy of Chiukwu Oke-ike. The immortal Eye of Ages and the only source of knowledge, warmness and life. The Mighty Man in battle. The two-edged Sword. Ba dike ba mma! Chiukwu Oke-osi miri! The Ball of Fire (Oke-oku Anwu-anwu) the everlasting Eye that never blinks, sleeps nor dies. The Doer! I honour Nne-osi-miri. The Queen-Mother of all mothers and the Marine-Queen of all queens. The Mother of peace, beauty, wealth and good health. The Admitter of Oke-osi-miri and the beginning of maternity. The Cleanser of dirt. The Breast milk and Fountain of living Waters of Ages. The only Mother of Wisdom, philosophy, resonance, rhythm, harmony, love and friendly relationship. I reverence Nne Ani-nso – the Holy Mother of the Earth and the Keeper of cosmic order. The Black Wo[mb]man. The Bearer of the young and the Protector of the weak. The Avenger and the Vindicator of the innocent. The Rock of Ages. The Owner of all farms and the Provider of foods and mineral resources. The Mother of reproduction and of all gifted hands. I stand in awe of my Ancestors, most especially, Mazi Ekeagbaudu Inyahgiri Okafor Udo Ekpiri and Mazi Aluu Akuma Nnubi (Okwara Akuma / Otusi Eziokwu bu ndu mgbara-avo Aruchiukwu). You are the blood in my veins and the ancient wisdom on my mind. The impartial Judges. The Keepers of time. The Deciders of fate and reincarnation. The Mediators! In Eke, Orie, Afo and Nkwo I live, move and have my being.

My profound gratitude goes to the custodians of Aro traditions in the persons of Mazi Oji Kanu Oji (Eze Aro’s regent / middle), HRH Mazi Okoroafor Uro (Eze Ezeagwu / right), and HRH Eze Dr. Kanu Nwa Kanu (Eze Ibom Isii / left).