Who am I ?

Kujichagulia – Self Determination 

To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

The second principal of Kwanzaa is Kujichagulia. It has been encouraged for years  that  we as African people define, cultivate, and reintroduce ourselves instead of allowing others to do so. This type of self determination requires us to go back, and get all of our lost memories so that we can reshape our world in our own image. By recovering our history we can tell our own stories, create our own traditions, and speak our cultural truth as we continue to influence and contribute to world history. 

"Who am I?" is a statement that most African Americans have made at some point during their lifespan. Through watching films and reading books we can recall several accounts where our ancestors were brutally beaten for refusing to be called by the name of our slave masters. Today, many of us still carry on slave names as we continue to pass, for many of us these names have become a legacy and for others, just another way to remember that we were once property of a white man, thus making us his legacy. 

Just this year, right at the beginning of the Pandemic, my oldest sister, Tamara, granted me the opportunity to travel with her to the Motherland. This of course was the opportunity of a lifetime. We traveled to Accra, Ghana. A few months prior, my mother had completed a genealogy test and our results concluded that a nice percentage of our DNA traced back there to include a few other places like Benin and Togo. The flight there was epic, courtesy of Delta SkyMiles. Upon our arrival we were welcomed with the warm salutation "AKWABA", which means welcome home. The moment I stepped off the plane I felt at home. The warm moist breeze, the deep dark chocolate faces with the unforgettable smiles brought about a feeling of enchantment.  Just being there, I was able to dispel many myths associated with Africa. The story that has been painted for African in America is a complete dis justice aimed to be a deterrence to persuade us from returning home. 

While in Ghana, we were served with nothing but the freshest juice. Pineapple, coconut, orange juice, you name it; It was freshly squeezed each morning. The food was beautiful at sight. Shops lined along the streets were filled with products and goods for as long as our eyes could see. Grocery shopping was redefined to say the least. Fresh vegetables, and fruits were placed out on tabletops and fresh herbs and spices were hung from tents. It was a whole vibe. Healthy was under statement. On down was the Makola Market that our Ghanaian brother and sister, Adjowa and Earl escorted us to. There was more food, fruit, vegetables, art, stones, and all other hand-crafted items for purchase. Since returning from Africa, I have purchased a juicer and I now now drink nothing but fresh juice! I went live a few times and shared my experiences and now I see many of my people juicing and rewriting narratives.

While there, brother Earl asked me what day I was born on and I replied to him that I was born on a Sunday! Earl told me that My name was ESI. In Ghana, girls born on a Sunday are given the name Esi. This was amazing to me!  My father named me Catherine, that was also his sister’s name. I have always loved that name. I was overwhelmed with joy to be told my African name I would have been given. Lucky for me, I was informed that I could add ESI anywhere in my name. Since then I have renamed myself and I now go by Catherine Esi LaShay. It was a complete honor to return from African and reintroduce myself to America with my God Given right to know my name! Since then I have looked up my children’s names and allowed them to incorporate their name with the name I gave them. I can only hope that they receive and incorporate their African name with the same pride and honor that I did. 

To add on… I met a girl I worked with whose name was Adjowa ! while in Africa I found out that her name meant that she was born on a Monday, just like my sister. She isn’t called this name at work because people don’t care to pronounce it, so she goes by another name, but Adjowa is still spelled out to the side. When I returned to work I emailed her on purpose, but this time I said Hello, sister born on a Monday !! She was so excited that I knew that. I told her my name was ESI and she immediately told me that I was born on a Sunday. Through our names we found out that we were from the same area in Africa Benin and Togo. Adjowa has been here for a little over 7 years and returns home only when she can. Her and I are great friends now.

Who am I ,the question that was answered for me through my pilgrimage to Africa? Since that pilgrimage I have continued my journey of self determination and added yet another name that helps to define my spiritual journey . My name is now Esi Lashay Awronke -(A person Ifa see’s to take care of)

I learned so much and all that I learned I brought back with me to share. Kujichagulia teaches us to rename ourselves, create the world to which we want others to see us in, and then reintroduce ourselves! Today you are being encouraged to find your self-determination and step into your light. Follow your light and walk in your truth for others to see. Being Authentically you with pride like never before. Teach your children so they can teach their children the meaning of being self- determined. 

Ask yourself these questions: 

"Who am I?"

"What do I represent?"

"What is culturally rooted and foreign?"

Are you ready to take more control of your life and for the good of the community?

Remember – “Until the lion tells the story, the Hunter will always be the hero.” African proverb 

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