Arutisuse ( pronounced Ah-rut-tee-SUS-see) is a holiday that celebrates the Foundational Black American culture of freedom fighting and resistance.
Arutisuse means Arise In the traditional Foundational Black
American TUT language.
During the antebellum slavery period in
America, many Foundational Black Americans would cleverly plot and execute their escape from bondage around the Christmas season.
These enslaved
freedom warriors understood that slave owners would be more preoccupied with holiday festivities during this time of year.
Also, enslaved Foundational Black Americans were allowed more access to visit family and
friends on other plantations during this season as well.
The rebel warriors used these relaxed policies as an opportunity to rise to
freedom.
Another celebration that was prevalent among enslaved
people in the Americas was a parade called Junkanoo.
Foundational Black Americans engaged in these activities around Christmas time, where they would parade around to different plantations playing multiple instruments, while dressed in outrageous costumes. They would often dress in costumes that mocked the white slave owners.
Arutisuse or Arise Day is a celebration every year on December 24th. On this day, Foundational Black Americans should gift another person a book that will lift the consciousness of that person. This will pay homage to the Foundational Black
American ancestors who risked their lives learning how to read and teaching others how to read.
Understanding this
history will
help us step into each new year with a sense of empowerment and we will make that empowerment part of our tradition and culture.
