I am creating a blog to open people’s minds to new ideas. It will be about my many interests such as astrology, astronomy, finances, science, history, mythology, religion, etc. I will also accept ideas from other people.
Introduction
What is the African Medicine Wheel? How can it help you? What tribe created it? Is numerology involve? How can I use it? How do I fix an imbalance?
Definition
The African Medicine Wheel was created by the Dagara tribe. It is a diagram that has 5 elements (fire/water/earth/mineral/nature). Each element has certain traits. Fire is assertive or aggressive. It is the element closes to spirit. Fire people are good @ predicting the future. Water is peaceful. Water people are great @ negotiations and they keep the peace. Earth is home. Earth people look out for others. They like to give to charity. Mineral is all about communication. Mineral people are artists and musicians that keep the memory of their tribe in their art and song. Nature is transformation. Nature people are mystics and psychics.
0-9, + or-
Each element has 2 numbers. Fire is 2 & 7. Water is 1 & 6. Earth is 0 & 5. Mineral is 4 & 9. Nature is 3 & 8. The last digit of your birth year determines what kind of person you are. It like your sun sign. The element you are determines your destiny to a degree. It also determines your greatest strengths and weaknesses, somewhat. The first number of each element is masculine and second # is feminine.
Helpful Uses
By numerizing your name and the numbers of your birthdate (don't count the first 2 # in your birth year), you will find out how much of each element you have inside you. You should have at least 3 fire. Water should be 3x as much as fire. You should have at least 3 mineral, earth, and nature. If you got all this your balanced. You count all the first #s of the elements to find out how much masculine energy you have. You do the same with the second numbers to find out how much feminine energy you have. To be balanced your masculine energy should be 3 times as much your feminine energy.
By doing all of this you can find out if you any imbalances. If you lack balance your life won't be as good as it could be. Maat is Supreme. In the next paragraph, I will tell you how to fix imbalances.
Maat fixes Isfet
If you lack fire you can go to a sweat lodge to increase it. If you lack water you can take ritual baths. If you lack earth you can meditate on a mountain or in a cave. If you need more mineral carry crystals with you. If you need more nature spend more time in the woods. Go camping more often. I don't know how to increase masculine or feminine energy.
Tai Chi is internal martial art based on Qigong. It has a long history. Tai Chi has different styles and techniques. Most people use it 4 exercise. It has many health and spiritual benefits.
Qigong
This is an exercise that helps your chi flow better. It deals a lot with posture and breathing. It has 4 main practices. They are as follows: dynamic, static, meditative, and use of external agents. It has 75 ancient forms and 56 modern forms. There are Taoist, Buddhist, and Confuciusian types of Qigong.
History A Taoist monk named Zhang San Feng created Tai Chi about a 1,000 years ago. He may have created it in the Shaolin Temple. Zhang saw a snake and crane fight each other. That inspired him to create Tai Chi. Its a Qigong martial art. Tai Chi helps people balance Yin-Yang in their body, mind, and spirit. Yang Cheng Fu was the first person to teach it in public. Tai Chi means Ultimate Supreme Boxing.
Styles There are five main styles of Tai Chi. Chen focuses energy bursts and fast and slow movements. Yang is the most popular style. Wu Hao has eazy postures and tough techniques. It uses the mind to control qi. Wu is the second most popular style of Tai Chi. Sun is very soft and flowing. It is the easiest style to perform. One of the techniques is focusing on your breathing. Another technique is is standing mediation. Each style has its own techniques.
Exercises You warm up by relaxing your whole body. Windmill exercise: move your upper body in a circular motion. Knee Rolls: Put your hands on your knees and move them in circular motion. Hand Rotation: Move your hands in a circular motion.
Health Benefits Tai Chi reduces stress and pain. Improves your mood and decreases depression. Reduces inflammation, lowers blood pressure, and improves heart function. It makes you more flexible and increases energy. It makes you more balanced and stronger.
Conclusion Tai Chi is a form of Qigong. It has a long history and 5 main styles. Most people use Tai Chi 4 exercise today. It has many health benefits.
Introduction
Isis is an offshoot of Al-Qaeda. Isis purpose is 2 create a caliphate. Salafi is an ultraconservative form of Islam, that's what they follow. They have been raising hell in Asia and Africa. They have a billion dollars worth of assets. They have been helped and hindered by various countries and organizations.
Origin
Isis splintered off from Al-Qaeda in Iraq. They were defeated in 2007. Later, they regrouped and went into Syria during the Arab Spring. They increased their ranks by setting Iraqi prisoners free. Al-Qaeda fell out with them in 2014., because Isis was too brutal.
Purpose
They want 2 create their own Islamic nation. They use to rule central Iraq, but not anymore. The Iraqi people were afraid of them. Children were kidnapped and indoctrinated. Now, these children live in mainstream society. The victims of Isis are afraid of these children.
Salafi
This form of Islam is Sunni. It was created in Egypt during the 1800's. It was a reaction to European conquest. Muslims that follow this form of Islam believe they should behave like Muslims did during the time of the prophet. There are 3 types of people that follow this. Purists don't get involved in politics. Activists are political. Jihadists want to topple the government. Salafism has similarities to Wahhabism.
Activites
They have killed over 2,000 people in 31 countries.
Asia: Women were raped and put in sex slavery in Syria and Iraq. Isis killed several soldiers in Yemen @ a military base. 25 soldiers were killed in Benghazi. Isis attacked a police station in the capital of Saudi Arabia. No one was harmed. A police officer was assassinated in Riyadh by Isis. Supporters of Isis suicide bombed a military base in Yemen killing 30 police officers. There were many more attacks but this will suffice.
Africa: A Frenchman decapitated by Isis supporters in Algeria. Isis attacked a hotel in Liyba killing 10 or more people. Isis supporters attack Egyptian police and military station killing 26 people. Isis decapitated 21 Coptic Christians in Libya. There were other attacks as well.
Europe(West Asia): A member of Isis shot people @ the Jewish Museum in Belgium. An Isis sympathizer killed 6 people in France. An Isis supporter tried 2 suicide bomb a chemical factory in France. A Russian military base may have been attacked by Isis. There were many other attacks as well.
North America: A Canadian soldier runs someone over in support of Isis. A man with hatchet attacked 4 police officers in NYC. He was inspired by Isis. 2 men shoot a security guard in Dallas. They were also inspired by Isis. An Isis sympathizer shot a cop in Philly. These are sum of the attacks in North America.
$
Isis sells oil and electricity. They may be producing over 20,000 barrels of oil a day. They extort $ from humanitarian workers. They have a lot of military weapons, which they sell to other terrorists. They tax business and individuals. They received a lot of $ when they took over a bank in Mosul. They sell artifacts and traffic drugs. Darkweb is used by Isis to get donations.
Isis Supporters
Isis has been supported by the U.S., Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Gulf States, etc. Some of the weapons Isis uses come from the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Isreal provides air support for Isis. Turkey is supporting Isis because they are @ war with the Kurds. Gulf States help fund Isis.
Isis tried to take over Kurdistan years ago, but the Kurds defeated them. There are Shia militias that fought Isis in Iraq. Hezbollah is beefing with Isis too. They may be backed by the Lebanese military and Iran. Russia has kicked Isis in the rear. Iran and Russia want 2 protect the Syrian government. They have my support.
Conclusion
Isis comes from Al Qaeda in Iraq. They want 2 create a caliphate. They follow a very conservative form of Islam called Salafi. They have killed more than 2,000 people in 3 continents. They have various ways making $. They are supported and opposed by different nations and organizations.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq_and_the_Levant#Foundation_(1999–2006)
https://www.vox.com/cards/things-about-isis-you-need-to-know
https://www.cnn.com/2015/12/17/world/mapping-isis-attacks-around-the-world/index.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/101/video/where-does-isis-get-its-money-569419843934
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finances_of_ISIL
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/31/opinion/editorials/us-allies-isis-turkey.html Israeli Support of Isis
http://www.newsweek.com/us-actually-agrees-iran-syria-says-turkey-helping-isis-attacking-afrin-852159
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29004253
Introduction
Nanotechnology is super small machinery. It has a long history. It has many applications such as medicine, weapons, communication, electronics, food, fabric, space, etc. There are many dangers in nanotechnology such as lung damage, brain damage, damage to other organs, mind control, invasion of privacy, gray goo, etc.
Definition
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of atoms and molecules; its the application of very small tools. They are so small they can fit inside a germ. This form of technology is very recent even though it was somewhat utilized in the past. Nanotechnology can lead to a new golden age or dark age.
History
This form of technology was used in the past, but the people that were using it didn't have a good grasp of it. Indians used nanotechnology over 2 millennia ago! They made nanotubes out of wootz steel. Mesopotamians used nanotechnology in their painting of pottery. Europeans utilized it in painting pottery as well. Richard Feynman came up with the idea of modern-day nanotechnology. He talked about it in a lecture he gave in 1959. Norio Taniguchi was the first person to say nanotechnology in 1974. K. Eric Drexler was the first person to get a degree in nanotechnology. He came up with the idea of grey goo.
Applications
Nanobots (small robots) can be used to deliver medicine to cancer cells. They can also be used to improve brain cells by improving the electrical firing of the synapses. Toxins from food can be removed by nanobots. Long-distance messages can be delivered by them. They can be programmed to enhance clothing. It could become stain resistant and fire and bulletproof. They could be used to improve our genome so diseases could be eradicated. In the distant future, they can be used to communicate with extraterrestrials.
Dangers
If nanobots replicate on a massive scale by disassembling organic material that could be the end of all life on earth. That's the grey goo scenario. Nanobots can be used by a military or terrorists to control people minds and/or kill them. Nanoparticles in food could lead to disease. Nanotechnology could be used to re-engineer humanity. It could change our genes and cause us to have cancer and other illnesses. Morgellons disease is that causes fibers to grow inside a person skin. The fibers contain pathogens. It a cyborg disease. It is both biological and mechanical. This disease may come from chemtrails.
Conclusion
Nanotechnology is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I blew up when I read about as a teenager. Tools created that are smaller than germs is nanotechnology. It has been around a long time. It has many great applications and dangers. It is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Synopsis
Millenia ago the Sahara was a savanna. During this time people lived there. They draw pictures of animals on caves and had flint tools. Then it dried up, so the people left. After 5,000 BCE the Sahara became fertile again. People moved in again and herded cattle. In 3,000 BCE, it became a desert again and people retreated. The ones who stayed behind became the Garamantes. After the horse and camel were domesticated the Garamantes start trading with their neighbors. Berber languages spread west as a result.
They lived in the Sahara and they were Berber. They created a kingdom there. They had their own language and script. They had different modes of production and they were great traders. They battled the Romans and they have descendants today.
The Garamantes civilization was in what today is Libya. The civilization lasted for 1200 years. They created an oasis by creating an irrigation system that relied on groundwater. They had their own language, which hasn't been deciphered yet. They ate beef, grapes, wheat, barley, dates, and figs.
The capital of the kingdom was Germa. They had several other towns and villages. They did not engage in warfare, nor much hard labor. They were traded with surrounding peoples'. Wine, salt, slaves, foodstuff, olive oil, gold, animals, and tableware was traded. Textiles were created out of cotton.
The Garamantes helped King Juba I defeat the Romans. The Garamantes were later defeated by the Romans. Sometimes the Garamantes would raid Roman settlements. In response to this, the Romans made forts.
The civilization declined after the groundwater depenished. The fall of the Roman Empire had a negative impact on the civilization as well. Rome was an important trading partner to Germa. In 7th century CE, the Arabs tookover Germa and the rest of Libya.
Tuareg tribe are the descendants of Garamentes. Women are very respected in this tribe because it is matrilineal. Men wear veils instead of the women. They love the color blue. A lot of their clothes are blue. There is a caste system in Tuareg society. The Tusken Raiders in Star Wars is based off Tuareg tribe.
They have a caste system. It is as follows: noble, vessel-herdsmen, marabouts, artisans, keepers of tradition, peasants, and slaves. Nobles are the warriors and they select chiefs. Vessel-herdsmen herd donkeys, goats, oxen, and sheep. Marabouts are Islamic scholars. They made Islam popular in North Africa. Artisans are wood, metal, and leatherworkers. Keepers of Tradition are musicians and tell stories. They sing @ weddings and funerals. Peasants are farmers; this caste may only exist in Algeria. The slaves are Nilo-Saharan and the mixed with the peasants and they farm as well. Slavery isn't so popular anymore.
Introduction
This empire lasted for 318 years!!!! It was created by Funj. Islam had a big influence on this kingdom. They were good @ trading and had a strong military. It had great battles with various nations and empires. It fell off in the early 1800's. It became a part of Sudan.
Origin
The Funj tribe was chased to the north by the Shilluk tribe. They defeated Aiwa kingdom. In 1504 Amara Dunqas founded Sennar Sultanate. After the Ottomans took Eygpt he negotiated with them; which kept them from taking over Sudan. The Funj are Nubians mixed with Arabs.
Islamic Influence
The rulers embraced Islam in 1523, while everyone practiced their traditional religion. Later on, people became Islamic but they still followed the ways of your ancestors. The upper class spoke Arabic. Everyone else spoke Funj. Many Islamic scholars came to Sennar and taught the Quran, Sharia, and Sufism. Imams had baraka. This is blessing power given by Allah.
Trade
The Sultan controlled trading. All traders were taxed, which made the kingdom rich. They traded with several African and Middle Eastern nations. A middle class was created from all this trading. They were very Islamic. They opposed the Sultan somewhat. They were more dogmatic; so they wanted the Funj to give up the ways of their ancestors. Ulama grew in authority.
Military
They had cavalry and infantry. The cavalry used large swords and wore chain mail. The horses wore copper helmets. The infantry also had swords. Sennar Sultanate had the largest army in East Africa until 1810.
Epic Battles
People from Alodia lived in Sennar Sultanate. They rebelled against the Sultan and took over in 1606. Sennar monarchy went to Abyssinia. They defeated the rebels and then the rebels were given their own territory in Dongola.
The Ottomans invaded but were unable to defeat Sennar. Abyssinia and Sennar fought over territory. They were continuously fighting the Silliuk. Later they joined forces to fight the Dinka. Sennar defeated Taqali and made it a vassal state.
Decline
It fell off because of the Ulama. The king lost authority to Ulama. There were problems in succession. Then it was it became a part of the Ottoman Empire. Sennar lost its vassal states and Egypt created a rival Ulama. Conclusion
This was a great kingdom!!!! They were great @ trade and had a strong military. It lasted for over 300 years. They had great traditions. The embrace of Islam was a double-edged sword. It made the kingdom richer but took power from the king and cause people to turn from their ancestors. I give this civilization a B.
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sennar_(sultanate)
https://janakesho1.wordpress.com/2016/01/26/sennar-sultanate/
https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/sudan/history-funj.htm
http://bluenilstate.blogspot.com/2013/03/funj-kingdom.html African Kingdoms: An Encyclopedia of Empires and Civilizations
Introduction
This tribe mainly lives in Cambodia. They speak their own language. The Khmer have their own creation story. They have been in Southeast Asia for over 4,000 years!!!! Theravada Buddhism is the state religion, but there are many other religions practiced in Cambodia as well. They have a unique culture. A significant number of Khmer people left Cambodia because of a civil war.
History
Legend has it they came from a Brahmin and a Naga. They traveled to Cambodia and surrounding regions 4,000 years ago if not earlier. They created the first alphabet in Southeast Asia! India had a big influence on Southeast Asia (SA).
There was a great kingdom called Funan. Funan covered most of SA around 200 BCE. It was started 1900 years ago! They traded with China, India, Persia, Greece, and Rome. Buildings were made out of brick, they lived in slit houses, grew rice, pottery was created, and the various peoples retained their culture. Hinduism was popular, then Buddhism became popular. A Chinese emperor was so impressed by Funan musicians he had a Funan music school created in China. In 270 CE Funan and Champa attacked a Chinese province in Vietnam. I assume they lost and China turned Funan into a vassal state in 375 CE. Funan was destroyed inbetween 500-600 BCE. Funan had a big impact on future SA kingdoms.
Chenla started off as a vassal state of Funan. In 550 CE it became independent of it. 60 years later it conquered Funan. Chenla later split into 2 kingdoms. These 2 kingdoms were called Chenla of Land and Chenla of Sea by the Chinese. Chenla of Sea became a part of the Java Empire and Chenla of Land became the Khmer Empire. Hinduism and Buddhism was still popping. Those religions promoted farming and trading. The temples became corporations because they got taxes from commoners and stimulated the economy by attracting foreign investors. The design of the temple was similar to Gupta temples. Temples were made out of brick and stone. There were 14 different kinds of slaves that worked in the temple. People who spoke Sanskrit were given governmental/religious jobs, and people who only spoke Khmer were given temple jobs. Chenla traded with India, Persia, Greece, and Rome.
The Khmer Empire was created by Jayavarman II. He was held captive in Java. Then he escaped and became the king of Chenla of Land. He was anointed by a Brahmin in a Shiva ritual after he became king. The devarajra cult was created after the ritual. People in the cult believed the king was a god in the flesh. He conquered different parts of SA, which became the Khmer Empire. The empire he founded started 802 CE and lasted until 1431 CE. Angkor Wat became the capital of Khmer Empire in the 1100's. Angkor Wat was as big as Los Angles and 1 million people lived there. Its the biggest religious complex in the world! It was dedicated 2 Vishnu; then it was transformed into Buddhist temples. The Khmer Empire fought Champa and the Vietnamese. In 1177 Chams looted Angkor Wat. Jayavarman VII kicked the Chams out of Angkor Wat and caused a lot of infrastructure to be built. He had 102 hospitals built. The social classes were brahmins, metalworkers, textile weavers, stonemasons, potters, and slaves. This empire had diplomatic relationships with India, China, and Java. Arab historians wrote kings of Khmer Empire had great riches, and armies of men, horses, and elephants. The Khmer Empire fell off after foreigners tookover, climate change, and/or disease.
Langauge
The Khmer language is part of the Austroasiatic language family. It is the 2nd most popular language in that family. Sanskrit and Pali had a big impact on the Khmer language. Standard Khmer is the most common dialect; it is taught in schools and used in the media. There are 4 other dialects as well.
Religion
Theravada Buddhism is the main religion in Cambodia. They believe in karma, reincarnation, and becoming enlightened over many lifetimes. Buddhist monks follow 227 rules and cannot participate in entertainment. The hill tribes practice the indigenous religion of Cambodia. It involves ancestor veneration and the belief that most objects contain spirits. The Chams are Muslim and Chinese are Taoists and Mahayana Buddhists. Some Khmer are Hindu, Jew, and/or Christian. All these religions influence each other.
Wedding
The ceremony used last for 3 days and nights. Now it is only 1 day. It starts when the groom gets to brides home bearing a gift. Then people meet and greet and wedding rings are exchanged. Songs are sung during these different events and the bride and groom have a tea ceremony. They offer tea to their ancestors. Then they both get their hair cut. Finally, family and friends tie their writs together and bless them. After that a reception.
Medicine
The Khmer practice naturopathy. They use natural products to help the body heal itself. Medical books were written in Pali, later they were translated into Khmer. The medical books were made out of palm leaves. People go to the National Center of Traditional Medicine to become doctors. This form of medicine was influenced by Ayurveda and Classical Chinese Medicine.
Doctors are called Kru Khmer and the have a teacher-student relationship with their patients. Some of they focus on bone setting, divining, and/or herbalism, etc. Spirits can cure or cause diseases. The imbalance of yin and yang can lead to disease as well.
Kru Thnam: Herbalists
Kru Bakbeg: Bone-setters
Kru Teay: Diviners of the future.
Kru Sneh: Chramer
Kru Son Thith: Diviners of disease. They are close to healing spirits.
Kru Chol Rup: Mediums that do exorcisms. They are mostly women.
Chhmob Boran: Midwives
Martial Arts
Bokator: People are taught to strike with every part of their body and how to fight with weapons. Practitioners like to fight with 2 sticks. This martial art was developed during the Khmer Empire.
Baok Chambab: This Khmer wrestling. B4 the match the opponents do a ritual dance, while a man and a woman play drums.
Pradal Serey: Khmer kickboxing. 2 win a match you have to knockout the opponent or be a better fighter.
Kbach Kun Dambong Veng: This fighting with a bo staff. It is popular with the youth.
Cuisine
Khmers love to eat fish and rice. There are 2,000 different types of rice in Cambodia. Rice noodle soup is eaten for breakfast. Their cuisine is similar to the cuisines of Thailand and Vietnam. The Chinese, Portuguese, Spanish, and French had a big impact on Khmer cuisine. Some Khmer food is pickled, others are fermented. They have over 20 different spices, 8 kinds of meat, 15 kinds of soup, 17 stir-fries, 30 fruits and vegetables. They have 10 kinds of salad and 26 different pastries. There is also a lot of puddings and beverages.
Civil War
After Prince Sihanouk visited the Soviet Union the national assembly removed him from office. In response, he got help from China. The communist forces were attacking his government when he was in charge but became his allies once he was voted out. Cambodia got involved in the Vietnam War and it was bombed by the U.S. The communist took over the country and forced people to live in rural areas. The communists made life hell in Cambodia. They shut everything down and made people wear peasant clothes. They destroyed medical books and other objects of cultural significance.
Pol Pot came to power and he was a damn monster!!!!!!! The communist forces became known as the Khmer Rouge. They tortured and executed many people. They killed over 1 million people. A quarter of Cambodia's population. This led to over 100,000 Cambodians coming to the U.S.
Conclusion
The Khmer are an amazing people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They have great history and culture. They have sweet language and religions. They have excellent medicine and martial arts. Their food is delicious. Long live the Khmer.
