Nya Akoma!
Nya Akoma (pronounced N yah Ah coma) is the greeting for Akoma Day also known as Black Love Day, which means get a heart, be patient, return to love.
Black Love Day was founded by Ms. Ayo Handy-Kendy, affectionately known as Mama Ayo, in 1993. In 2001, Montsho and Nwasha Edu, expanded upon the original tenets and purpose to become an international cultural holiday rooted in African spirituality. Akoma day is an intentional cultural and spiritual alternative to Valentine's Day. The focus of Akoma Day is the intimate relationship and how that relationship creates family, neighborhood, community and nationhoods.
Akoma - The heart
Akoma is an adinkra symbol which has a literal meaning of "the heart". It represents love, unity, endurance, patience, tolerance, goodwill and faithfulness.
How to participate in Akoma day
This is a time to renew your relationships and unify. A time to reconnect with your higher purpose, higher level of principle, to be mindful of your interconnectedness with all things.
- Find humility
- Explore the art & science of black love
- Support a black owned business
- Use mindfulness practices for self-care and healing