What separates Akoma Day from other well-known holidays is the fact that it is not a holiday, but rather a ‘cultural alternative to Valentine’s Day’. Founded by a Melanoid couple by the names of Montsho & Nwasha Edu, Akoma Day embraces the traditional African principles of love that aren’t necessarily limited to love shared between significant others. Under the principles of Akoma, the celebration of love goes beyond that, and acknowledges the love shared between friends, family, etc.

Culturally speaking, the initiative holds true to its African roots, even adopting insignia which shows just that. The Akoma logo itself is actually an Adinkra symbol which originated from Ghana, West Africa. The symbol actually stands for “soul consciousness” since the days of ancient Kemet.

In the following video, the Edus explain the origins of their company, and give viewers more of an in-depth comprehension of what this revolutionary act of Black love is all about.

Keeping true to the message of the Akoma House Initiative, the Edus are the living embodiment of love and perseverance as they are a loving married couple who are both highly trained, educated, and have successfully managed to use their own experience as Melanoid people in this society to address issues of love and relationships to others who seek their counsel because they are fully aware that the Black experience is exceptionally unique in comparison to any other racial group of people on this planet.

In light of two February-based celebrations that Melanoid people have traditionally observed (and are now slowly but surely deviating from for various reasons) such as Valentines Day and Black History Month, the Akoma House Initiative cleverly meshes love and culture in a way that serves the mental and emotional well-being of Black Society as a whole.

For more info on Akoma Day and the Akoma House Initiative, follow this link.

B. Clark