I have pondered at length how to embark on this journey of enlightening the finest minds of Africa. I assertively use the term “instruct” to establish the foundations borrowed from the ancient Egyptians, with their rich ebony essence. The maxims they left behind were labeled instructions, and from them, I draw inspiration for this pursuit. Two sages, Vizier Ptah-hotep and Ke’Gemni, shall be my guiding lights.

To my delight, I discovered that philosophy originated on our gracious continent. This revelation shattered the notion that the Ionian era succeeded the ancient life of the great Savannah region. For years, I searched through the meticulous works of Eastern and Western philosophy, hoping to find satisfaction, fulfillment, and contentment, but to no avail.

If you delve into topics of evolutionary biology or possess a knack for tracing the eminence and power that Africa wielded long before the colonizers arrived, you may have come across the concept of “Eve’s gene.” If you haven’t explored this subject yet, I implore you, for the sake of our ancestors, to delve into it. I promise you, the revelation surrounding this gene will leave you in awe of your very existence.

In a nutshell, the concept of Eve’s gene signifies that all so-called “races” originated from the genome of a black woman. Only the black woman possesses the DNA power to give rise to all people, including the Orientals, the Caucasians, and so on. This theory, in essence, challenges preconceived notions and reminds us of the profound influence Africa has had on the diversity and unity of humanity.

Philosophy, at its core, is the love of wisdom. Tracing its roots has been a fascination of mine. According to one of my favorite podcasters, Stephen West of “Philosophize this!”, Thales of Miletus is recorded as the first philosopher.

However, let us not be mistaken. The oldest books on record hail from Africa, contrary to what many claim. Some assert that we were unable to read or write, while others argue that the first writings originated from Mesopotamia. Amidst these assertions, two books stand out: one written by Ptah-hotep and another believed to be the work of an Egyptian named Ke’Gemni, who served as a Vizier. Viziers were the first ministers to the Pharaohs, wielding great influence.

Originality is a virtue, and Africans possess this trait as surely as the light of day. It is my fervent desire to shine a light on the sublime virtues of Africans, tapping into the ingenuity that lies within us. This task is monumental, but it is crucial if we are to restore our people and our beloved continent to their proper destiny.

In retrospect, I am reminded of the words of Battiscombe G. Gunn, a philologist and Egyptologist who translated the works of Ptah-hotep. He eloquently attests to the authenticity and significance of the black Egyptians’ writings. Gunn describes the works of Ptah-hotep and Ke’Gemni as the oldest books in the world, composed approximately four thousand years before Christ and three thousand five hundred and fifty years before Christ, respectively. He highlights their exceptional nature and their place at the extreme horizon of human literature, preceding all other written works.

What strikes me about Gunn's perspective is his comparison of these texts with the literary efforts of contemporary civilizations. He argues that while the Babylonians were exercising their literary talents, they would leave nothing worthy of being called a book for the posterity of fifty-four centuries hence. It would take thirteen centuries before Hammurabi, King of Babylon, drafted his famous code of laws. Moses would write about the origin of things and the Vedas would be arranged in their present form only after two thousand years. It would be two-and-a-half thousand years before the Great King of Jerusalem would set in order many proverbs and write books reminiscent of Ptah-hotep's teachings. The years between Solomon and ourselves, great though they may seem, do not compare to the vast span of time between Solomon and Ptah-hotep.

Solomon, known as the wisest man who ever lived, had visitors from the lands of Africa, and it is not inconceivable that the wisdom he shared was inspired or influenced by the works of Ptah-hotep. Even the Romans, with their thirst for knowledge, sought the wisdom of Egypt. We must not forget the Queen of Sheba, an African, who traveled to tour Solomon’s lands, demonstrating the extensive connections between Africa and other civilizations.

In bringing these revelations to light and offering my interpretations, I envision the youth of Africa rising like never before. By fostering a positive self-image and empowering the pride of being black, we can tap into the greatness that existed in Africa long before America proclaimed its greatness or sought to be “made great again.”

Africa is the land of sleeping lions and lionesses. It is upon us, the founders and CEOs of growing startups, to tap into the spirit of Africa, drawing from the power of our ancestors to shape a brighter future.

You may wonder why I chose to annotate my work on this subject. The answer is simple: we must break things down to their fundamental elements to forge something new. By debunking prevailing narratives and reevaluating historical perspectives, we gain a fresh appreciation for the wisdom that existed before life itself. If you subscribe to a different worldview, you may argue that intelligence is wisdom in itself.

In conclusion, this article serves three purposes. Firstly, to ignite a sense of anticipation for the forthcoming African Philosophy Series. Secondly, to stimulate your mind and encourage the formation of new mental models, envisioning an Africa that was never colonized and its people never enslaved. Lastly, this article serves as an epic introduction to a whole new world of thought and exploration.

Fasten your seat-belts, my friends, brothers, sons, daughters, and sisters of these great lands! We are about to embark on a remarkable journey, uncovering the depths of African philosophy and rediscovering the wisdom that has the power to reshape our present and future.