The ancient Canaanites from the land of Canaan

Here Noble Drew Ali makes a distinction between the inhabitants of Africa and the ancient Canaanites from the land of Canaan. In fact he clearly says they are the descendants of these Canaanites who came to reside in Africa.

Noble Drew Ali further exclaimed that: "2. Old man Cush and his family are the first inhabitants of Africa who came from the land of Canaan."

What's interesting regarding this statement is that he also separates "Cush" (Ethiopia) from Africa as "Cush" along with his family came to Africa from the land of Canaan. So it becomes evident by these statements that Africa was originally colonized then inhabited by Canaanites who came from the land of Canaan.

It should be known that the landmass presently designated "Africa" holds 54 countries and nine territories. The exact origins of the word ‘Africa’ are contentious, but there is much about its history that is known. We know that the word ‘Africa’ was first used by the Romans to describe that part of the Carthaginian Empire which lies in present-day Tunisia.

Before proceeding further, let's establish the fact that the Inhabitants of the Phoenician city-states along the Eastern Mediterranean coast (like Sidon and Tyre) called themselves "Kenaani" (Canaanites); and with later appellations relating to their particular city-states (e.g. “Sidonians” or “Tyrians”). It is also of note that "Carthage" was a Phoenician city-state on the coast of North Africa, meaning they too were "Canaanites."

Now let us continue....When the Romans conquered Carthage in the second century BCE, giving them jurisdiction over most of North Africa, they divided North Africa into multiple provinces, amongst these there were "Africa Pronconsularis" (northern Tunisia) and "Africa Nova" (much of present-day Algeria, also called Numidia).

All historians agree that it was the Roman use of the term ‘Africa’ for parts of Tunisia and Northern Algeria which ultimately, almost 2000 years later, gave the continent its name. There is, however, no consensus amongst scholars as to why the Romans decided to call these provinces ‘Africa’. Over the years a small number of theories have gained traction.

One of the most popular suggestions for the origins of the term 'Africa' is that it is derived from the Roman name for a tribe living in the northern reaches of Tunisia, believed to be the Berber peoples or more simply "Moors." The ethnonyms variously associated with these Moors are: ‘Afri’, ‘Afer’ and ‘Ifir’. Some believe that ‘Africa’ is a contraction of ‘Africa terra’, meaning ‘the land of the Afri’.

So we shall recall the words of Noble Drew Ali stating that: "1. The inhabitants of Africa are the descendants of the ancient Canaanites from the land of Canaan." These inhabitants of the "land of Afri" had descended from those seafaring Canaanites. What's most intriguing is Noble Drew Ali's statement regarding Cush and his family being the first inhabitants of Africa. For more clarification, we shall discuss the research of Dr. Liny Srinivasan, an Indian linguist, and Indologist, who has published many articles and books on the presence of Mesopotamian and Nile Valley people in the 'Rig Veda' (RV), 'Puranas' and 'Pali' documents. In ancient Indian text, the Nile Valley was called "Kušadvipa" or "Kushland." We see further told that the people in Upper and Lower Nubia in the Nile valley, were called "ḫЗš" (Kushites) or "ḫЗšt" (Khasut) by the ancient Egyptians.

The 'Rig Veda' (RV) provides considerable information on the Kushites of Nubia and Anatolia. These people belonged to the "Kushite Confederation" (Cush and his family). The term "Kushite" was a generic term for the tribes that belonged to the Confederation living in the Nile Valley, the Levant, and Anatolia.

Dr.Srinivasan notes that "Nile Valley Kush" was called "Kušadvipa" or "Kush" in the 'Puranas' and "Kuš-Nila" in 'Pali' texts. The 'Puranas' and 'Pali' are the names given to ancient Vedic/Indian text. In these Indian texts, we learn that Rama’s sons were "Lava" and "Kušs." Ancient Libya was called "Lava" and "Kush" in the Nile Valley was called "Kuša." In the 'Puranas' "Kuša" was southern "Nubia" or "upper Kush." In the 'Puranas' northern "Nubia" or "lower Kush" was called "Krouñcha". In fact, the main urban center in "Kuša," was "Kaši." And this "Kaši" was described as a great city in the 'Pali' and 'Purana' text.

Dr. Srinivasan makes note that in the "Rig Vega" we learn of a King named 'Divadoasa' whose name means “servant of Diva.” In the 'Mahabharata,' Divodaase was an ancient "King of Kaaši" and in the Puranic text, "Kaaši" or "Nubia."

It is well documented that Egypt's founding began in the south from Nubia. What isn't well known is that "C-Group Culture" played a vital role in the founding of Egypt. While today many scholars see "A-Group" and "B-Group" as actually being a continuation of the same group, "C-Group" is considered as the product of "Saharan Neolithic culture" which is perceived as distinct. These "Proto-Saharans" were called "Ta-Seti" and "Tehenu" by the Egyptians.

Another designation for the "C-Group people" by archaeologists is "Temehus" whose "central Fezzan" was a center of "C-Group" settlement. Doop says these inhabitants of Libya, the "Tmhw" (Temehus) were organized into two groups the "Thnw" (Tehenu) in the North and the "Nhsj" (Nehesy) in the South.

The "Tehenu" wore pointed beards, phallic-sheath, and feathers on their head in the likeness of the American natives.

Scholar H. Farid noted that "We can notice that the beginning of the Neolithic stage in Egypt on the edge of the Western Desert corresponds with the expansion of the Saharan Neolithic culture and the growth of its population".

This "C-Group" founded the "Kerma dynasty" of Kush. Diop noted that the "earliest substratum of the Libyan population was a black population from the south Sahara". Jelinek stated that: "the inhabitants of the Fezzan were round-headed Africans." The cultural characteristics of the "Fezzanese" were analogous to "C-Group culture" items and "the people of Ta-Seti." The "C-Group people" occupied the Sudan and Fezzan regions between 3700-1300 BC.

Some have also equated the "Nhsj" (Nehesy) with the "C-Group people" that began to settle Kush around 2200 BC. These kings of Kush had their capital at Kerma, in Dongola, and a sedentary center on Sai Island. The same pottery found at Kerma is also present in Libya especially the Fezzan.

Noble Drew Ali in Chapter XLV of his "The Divine Origin of the Asiatic Nations" speaks on the Dravidian connection declaring that: "4. The Hindoos of India," were indeed "the descendants of the ancient Canaanites, Hittites, and Moabites of the land of Canaan."

In the Puranas and Pali text "Nhšy," corresponds to Mandaean "Nahas," the name for the underworld abode of the serpent 'Ur,' the metaphoric name for "Nubia." Also, we find "Naqa" or "Naga'a," a ruined ancient city of the Kushitic Kingdom of Meroë in modern-day Sudan. In the 'Puranas' there is mention of "Nahuša," which correspond to the 15th Dynasty King "Nhšy." It becomes evident of the connection with the "Nhšy" and the "Nahas" with the Dravidian/Tamil "Nagas."

Noble Drew Ali even speaks on a Turkish connection. He writes that: "7. The Turks are the true descendants of Hagar, who are the chief protectors of the Islamic Creed of Mecca; beginning from Mohammed the First, the founding of the uniting of Islam, by the command of the great universal God–Allah."

We find that the "Proto Saharans" (Kushites) expanded into Inner Asia from two primary points of dispersal: Iran and Anatolia. In Anatolia the "Kushites" were called "Hattians" and "Kaska." The "Hatti" (Hurrian people) often referred to themselves as "Kashkas" or "Kaskas." We even discover that the people in Upper and Lower Nubia in the Nile valley who were called "ḫЗš" (Kushites) or "ḫЗšt" (Khasut) are related to "Kashkas" of Anatolia. The "heqa khasut," whose name meant "ruler(s) of the Kushites" or "Hyksos"/ "Hykussos," were "Hattians" or "Kashkas." The connection between the "Khasut" and "Kashkas" is obvious as the name "khasut" indeed corresponds to "Kaska." The name "heqa khasut," was first used by the Old Kingdom to refer to the Kushite Nubian chieftains.

The "Tehenu" was composed of various ethnic groups. One of the "Tehenu tribes" was identified by the Egyptians as the "Hatiu" or "Haltiu." Anatolia was occupied by many Kushite groups, including the "Kashkas" and or "Hatti." The "Hatti," like the Dravidian-speaking people were probably related. The "Hatti" were probably members of the "Tehenu tribes." Scholars have noted that Anatolia was divided into two lands “the land of Kanis” and the “land of Hatti”. The "Hatti" were related to the "Kaska people" who lived in the Pontic Mountains. During the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt (2563-2423), namely during the reign of Sahure there is mention of the "Tehenu people." Sahure referred to the "Tehenu" leader “Hati Tehenu.” These "Hatiu," correspond to the "Hatti" speaking people of Anatolia.

In summary, the Puranas and Pali text make it Noble Drew Ali had an intimate knowledge of the Nile Valley, North Africa, and the various Moorish kindred in which encompassed this Moorish Empire. Noble Drew Ali tells us in his "Circle 7" (Chapter 47: Egypt, the Capitol Empire of the Dominion of Africa) that: “7. Their dominion and inhabitation extended from North-East and South-West Africa, across great Atlantis even unto the present North, South, and Central America and also Mexico and the Atlantis Islands; before the great earthquake, which caused the great Atlantic Ocean.”

We shall conclude with a final reference extracted from Noble Drew Ali’s Chapter 46, “The Divine Origin of the Asiatic Nations”, in which we read the following statement: “2. The key of civilization was and is in the hands of the Asiatic nations. The Moorish, who were ancient Moabites, and the founders of the Holy City of Mecca.”