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“Black-Africans are the Progenitors of Sports and the Olympic Games” by Jermaine Thomas
The origins of the Olympic Games have been falsely attributed to Ancient Greece, as the historical record shows that such games originated in Ancient Africa. In ancient Kemet (the Black Country), otherwise known as Egypt, the natives held an athletic competition known as the Heb-Sed (meaning jubilee), and it is the origin of the event later to be called the Olympic Games. The ancient Greeks adopted such games millennia (776 BCE) after they had already been developed by the ancient Africans (before 3,150 BCE). One author writes, “…in [Kemet] Egypt, sport was born and flourished, and from there spread to Greece, Rome, and to the rest of the world” (Elgammel, 2008, p. 85).
The Heb-Sed occurred on the 30th year of the pharaoh’s rule and every 3 years after that. It was a time in which the pharaoh joined the professional athletes in order to demonstrate his vitality, physical prowess, and reinforce his divine status, thus showing he was fit to rule. One scholar writes that “…the early [Kemites] Egyptians seemed to have their own early Olympics, with competitions including an early form of hockey, handball, gymnastics, spear throwing (javelin), weightlifting, various equestrian sports, high jump, swimming competition, boating competitions, archery, long distance running, tug of war and others” (Elgammel, 2008, p. 84). The winners of the Heb-Sed were honored with gifts and feasts for their victory, and the losers were also given consolation prizes for competing. Both opening and closing ceremonies were held for the Heb-Sed, similar to the Olympic Games, today.
Black people have often been told that they are devoid of a respectable history, but as you can see, among other activities we enjoy today, Black-Africans are the progenitors of sports and the Olympic Games.
References:
Elgammel, M. (2008). The ancient Egyptian sports during the pharaoh dynasties & its relation to the ancient Greek sport. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/296060812_The_ancient_Egyptian_Sports_during_the_Pharaoh_dynasties_its_relation_to_the_ancient_Greek_Sports
Without History (2023, Apr. 16). Did Africans create the Olympic Games [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/xnk7dt9EFB0?si=i0hGuQkTpc7fOFHz
NonMwenSe1 Comment-
I have noticed the sports that most Afrikan=Black people follow and participate in are European invented sports: basketball, football (soccer), american football, baseball, rugby, cricket 🏏.
Maybe wrestling and boxing is the only indigenous Afrikan sport I see Afrikans= Black people participating and following.
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