#Harambee63 African Philosophy of Zikism – Nnamdi Azikiwe

Zikism was Nigeria’s equivalent of Kusema na Kutenda, or amongst the KLFA (Mau Mau) Kuuga na gwika. Zikism was a philosophy created by Nnamdi “Zik” Azikiwe. His policy appealed to all including farmers – often the base of any peasant uprising that has seen revolutionary change, globally.

Zikists, followers of Zikism, were also deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence: Satyagraha. Gandhi had spent 21 years in South Africa, fighting against discrimination against African – Indians in South Africa before going back to India in 1915 to begin agitation against British colonialism there.

The five tenets of Zikism are:

Spiritual balance: To show empathy for other peoples views, and recognize their right to hold such views.

Social regeneration: To expel from one’s self national, religious, racial, tribal, political-economic, and ethical prejudice.

Economic determinism: To realize that being self-sufficient economically is the basis for rescuing the Renascent African.

Mental emancipation: To be knowledgeable of African history and accomplishments, and to dismiss any kind of complex exhibited by any race or tribe.

Political resurgence: To regain the sovereignty that Africa has lost to colonialists.