Inventory of the Dadisi Sanyika Collection SPC.2015.002

Finding aid prepared by Kendall Hinesley
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2015
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
archives@csudh.edu


Contributing Institution: California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Dadisi Sanyika Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2015.002
Physical Description: 14 boxes
Physical Description: 7 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1940s-2005
Date (inclusive): 1970-2005
Abstract: This collection contains archival material and rare books related to Dadisi Sanyika and his interests in African American history and culture, African drumming and dance, and the study of astrology, metaphysics, occultism, black gnostic studies, and PermaCulture. Included in the collection are published books and periodicals, pamphlets, yearbooks, handwritten notes, study materials, lesson plans, astrology charts, ephemera, newspaper clippings, and VHS tapes.
Language of Material: English .

Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Publication Rights

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred Citation

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated to CSUDH Archives Gloria M. Sanyika, and the Sanyika Family.

Processing Information

This collection was processed in 2015 by Kendall Hinesley and Willliam Marshall Jr.

Biography

Dadisi Sanyika was an educational facilities planner, teacher, artist, writer, traditional African drummer and dancer, researcher, astrologer, ordained metaphysical minister, social activist, martial arts master, and philosopher. He was born John Carl Stitt in Los Angeles, California, November 30th, 1948, and later changed his name to Dadisi Feleji Sanyika. Though he appears to have solely used Sanyika as his last name from that point on, he regularly used several combinations of his birth and assumed names such as: John Sanyika, John Stitt Sanyika, Dadisi Stitt Sanyika, and Dadisi Sanyika. He was raised in Los Angels' South Central area, and attended Los Angeles City College and California State University Los Angeles. He married was to Gloria (Heshima) Sanyika, with whom he had three daughters: Timiza Kwa-utulivu, Sebek-Nefera, and Neith Ra.
Professionally, Sanyika was the Director of Facilities Planning at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine & Science for 15 years. Outside of this, he was involved in a number of endeavors and held multiple positions including: the Artistic Director of Dembrebrah West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Director of Black Gnostic Studies with the Aquarian Spiritual Center, founder of Golden Thread Productions (an African Aquarian Cultural Educational Inner-Attainment Company), co-founder and editor for the Knowledge Broker newspaper, practicing astrologer, founder of the Malcolm X Community Youth Center, founder of the Watts Community Policy and Planning Institute, and teacher at Christ Unity Center in Los Angeles and the African Cultural Research Center in Long Beach.
As part of his interest in metaphysics and occult philosophy, Sanyika was closely aligned with the Aquarian Spiritual Center and Bookshop in Los Angeles, studying there for twenty seven years, and acting as the Director of Studies from 1985-1991. Founded by Alfred and Bernice Ligon, the center was prominent within the black community. They hosted the first black history classes offered in Los Angeles, the founding of the US organization, Community Theater, occult philosophy lectures and classes, and black authors' autograph parties. In 1969 Sanyika and others from the Spiritual Center developed Black Gnostic Studies. They concentrated on the connections between metaphysical thought and Ancient African cultures including those in Egypt and Ethiopia. From these studies came the concept of Blacks as "Seed People" (the source of life and culture).
Dadisi Sanyika passed away on January 28th, 2005 at the age of 56.

Scope and Content

The Dadisi Sanyika collection consists of over 800 published books (including small press and self-published works), published serials, pamphlets, paper ephemera, correspondence, newspaper clippings, newsletters, administrative documents, and VHS tapes. The collection is split between archival materials described to the folder level, and published materials catalogued individually and searchable through the California State University Dominguez Hills Library catalog.
Published materials focus on African American history and culture, African dance and drumming, Egyptology and the study of Ancient Egyptian religion, astrology, Cabala, tarot, metaphysics, occult philosophy, Jungian thought and psychoanalysis, Gnostic studies, and other esoteric studies. Books in the collection were used heavily in Sanyika's studies and work at the Aquarian Spiritual center. Sanyika, Alfred Ligon, and others at the center used books on Egyptology and other ancient African civilizations in their work and teachings on the concepts of Black Gnostic Studies and SEED People. Because of the close relationship between Sanyika and the Aquarian Spiritual Center, books in the Dadisi Sanyika Aquarian collection are shelved together with books from the Alfred and Bernice Ligon Aquarian Collection. The two can be searched simultaneously by searching for "Aquarian collection," or individually by searching "Sanyika/Aquarian" or "Ligon/Aquarian".
The archival collection focuses on biographical materials covering Sanyika's many endeavors as a cultural and spiritual community leader, his work in the study of occult philosophy and esoteric studies, his astrology practice, African American cultural events, African dance and drumming, and Permaculture (a sustainable mode agriculture and social planning based on natural ecosystems). The bulk of the collection material focuses on his work in these areas rather than his personal life or professional career as a Director of Facilities Planning.
Biographical materials include his yearbooks from John Muir Middle School and Jefferson High School in South Central Los Angeles; newspaper and magazine articles about Sanyika's work with African dance and drumming, Golden Thread Productions, and his involvement with cultural events. Also included are notebooks with notes on planning and management.
Materials concerning metaphysics and esoteric studies include notes, lesson plans, assignments, tests, readings, flyers and handouts, and astrology charts prepared by Sanyika. Topics in this area include astrology, tarot, philosophy, SEED people and Black Gnostic Studies, metaphysics, and other esoteric studies. Also included are flyers, handouts, and other materials from the Aquarian Spiritual Center. Materials concerning African and African American culture include flyers, handouts, event tickets, magazine and newspaper clippings, and VHS videos on African drumming and dance.
Items found within individual books cataloged for the collection were removed unless the context of the book is necessary to understand the item. Removal is noted in the catalog record for the book when the connection between the item and the book is useful but not necessary for the item to remain in the book. Items include: bookmarks from local bookstores, event tickets, event flyers, notes, business cards, and publisher order cards.
The collection also includes materials on Sanyika's interest and work with PermaCulture, a sustainable mode agriculture and social planning based on natural ecosystems. Included are notes on PermaCulture design and application, flyers and brochures, e-mails from the Los Angeles PermaCulture Guild, and project proposals and plans.

Arrangement

Arranged in 5 series:
  1. Series I: Personal/Biographical, Dates 1962-2004; boxes 1-2.
  2. Series II: Esoteric Studies, Dates 1960s-2004; boxes 3-6.
  3. Series III: African and African American and Cultural Materials, Dates 1990s-2000s; boxes 7-12.
  4. Series IV: Items removed from books, Dates 1970s-2000s; boxes 13.
  5. Series V: PermaCulture, Dates 2003-2004; boxes 14.

Separated Materials

The collection includes over 800 published books and serials individually cataloged and searchable through the University Library catalog (www4.csudh.edu/library/), or WorldCat (www.worldcat.org). All items are labeled as Sanyika/Aquarian Collection.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

African Americans -- Culture
African American dance
Astrology
Blacks -- Religion
Dance -- Africa
Drum -- Performance -- Africa
Existentialism
Gnosticism
Metaphysics
New Age movement
Occultism
Tarot
African Americans -- Poetry
African Americans -- Civil rights
African Americans -- History
Alternative medicine
Astrology
Black theology
Blacks -- Egypt
Blacks -- Religion
Civil Rights Movement
Color -- Therapeutic use
Cosmogony
Egypt -- Civilization
Existentialism
Geometry -- Philosophy
Gnosticism
Hatha yoga -- Therapeutic use
Houses (Astrology)
Jesus Christ -- Words -- Extra-canonical parallels
Jesus Christ -- New Age movement interpretations
Magic
Metaphysics
Music -- Philosophy and aesthetics
Mythology
Pan-Africanism
Psychoanalysis and religion
Race
Race relations
Spiritualism
Spirituality
Symbolism of numbers.
Bailey, Alice, 1880-1949
Ashby, Muata
Budge, E. A. Wallis, Sir (Ernest Alfred Wallis), 1857-1934
Aquarian Spiritual Center (Los Angeles, Calif.)
Churchward, Albert
Baker, Douglas
Besant, Annie, 1847-1933
Clymer, R. Swinburne (Reuben Swinburne), 1878-1966
Curtiss, Harriette Augusta, 1856?-1932
Eliade, Mircea, 1907-1986
Fortune, Dion
Gadalla, Moustafa, 1944
Gauquelin, Michel, 1928-1991
Ghose, Aurobindo, 1872-1950
Hall, Manly P. (Manly Palmer), 1901-1990
Hartmann, Franz, 1838-1912
Heline, Corinne, 1882-
Hodson, Geoffrey, 1886-1983
Jackson, John G.
Jones, Marc Edmund, 1888-1980
Jung, C.G. (Carl Gustav), 1875-1961
Lévi, Éliphas, 1810-1875
Massey, Gerald, 1828-1907
Purucker, G. de (Gottfried), 1874-1942
Regardie, Israel
Rudhyar, Dane, 1895-1985
Sakoian , Frances
Saraydarian, Torkom
Schwaller de Lubicz, R.A.

 

Series I: Personal 1962-2004

Physical Description: 1 linear foot
Physical Description: 2 boxes

Scope and Contents

This series includes yearbooks from John Muir Middle School and Jefferson High School in South Central Los Angeles; an obituary, newspaper and magazine articles about Sanyika's work with African dance and drumming, documents concerning Golden Thread Productions, and articles and ephemera from cultural events. Also included are notebooks with notes on planning and management.
box 1, folder 1

Personal Biograpical (obituary, business cards, questionaire, newspaper articles)  1990s-2000s

box 1, folder 2

Correspondence  2003

box 1, folder 3

Jefferson High School Yearbook 1966

box 1, folder 4

John Muir Junior High Yearbook 1962

box 1, folder 5

Jefferson High School Yearbook  1964

box 1, folder 6

Notebook  2004

box 1, folder 7

Planner 1994-1995

box 1, folder 8

Bedroom Noise Journal

 

Published books by Dadisi Sanyika. Swords: a Poem. Rise of the Midnight Son. African Drum and Dance:The Reconnection with African Ancestral Wison 2000

box 2, folder 1

Notebook (electricity,physics,etc.)

box 2, folder 2

Notebook (marketing)

box 2, folder 3

Notebook (marketing)

box 2, folder 4

Notebook (small business marketing)

box 2, folder 5

Notebook (metaphysics and occult studies)

 

Series II: Metaphysics and Occult Studies 1960s-2004

Physical Description: 2 Linear Feet
Physical Description: 3 boxes

Scope and Contents

This series includes materials concerning metaphysics and occult studies. Formats include: notes, lesson plans, assignments, tests, readings, flyers and handouts, and astrology charts prepared by Sanyika. Topics in this area include astrology, tarot, philosophy, SEED people and Black Gnostic Studies, metaphysics and other esoteric studeis. Also included are flyers, handouts, and other materials from the Aquarian Spiritual Center.
box 3, folder 1

Astrology Readings (1 of 3)

box 3, folder 2

Astrology Readings (2 of 3)

box 3, folder 3

Astrology Readings (3 of 3)

box 3, folder 4

G.T Astro Outline Astrological Chart, Outline, and Calculations

box 3, folder 5

Rebirth of the Mysteries Series Charts 1999-2000

box 3, folder 6

3 Crosses Astrological Handouts

box 3, folder 7

Notebook #1 Cycles and Charts

box 3, folder 8

New Cycle of Meditation and Rhythm of the Drum Brochures

box 3, folder 9

Masonry, Initiation, Solomon (BGS) Notes, Lessons Plans, and Masonic Charts

box 3, folder 10

Higher Magic-Levi Readings

box 3, folder 11

Chakras, Clairvoyance, etc. Subject file

box 3, folder 12

Spring Cleaning/Health Diet Lessons Plans

box 3, folder 13

Easter Flyers and Studies

box 3, folder 14

Hollow Earth  1995

box 3, folder 15

Philosophical Research Society

box 3, folder 16

Black Gnostic Studies and Masonry Concepts

box 3, folder 17

Black Gnostic Studies Workshops 1981,1985

box 3, folder 18

Flyers and Newsletters

box 3, folder 19

Wynn: The Astrology Student's Handbook; Aspect Houses. Astro Carto Graphy (booklet about astrology and planetary influence)

box 3, folder 20

Charles A. Jayne Jr.: The Cycle-Pattern of Civilization reprint of 1948 ed. 1948

box 4, folder 1

Jamal/Vicki Astrology Chart 2001

box 4, folder 2

Yendi Astrological Calculations 2003

box 4, folder 3

Jamal Ali Letters 2001

box 4, folder 4

Queen Astroloy Chart  2003

box 4, folder 5

Chuck Hicks Astrology Chart 2004

box 4, folder 6

Carla Hicks Astrology Chart 2004

box 4, folder 7

Manya Anderson Letters and Astrology Charts 2004

box 4, folder 8

Tommy Astrology Charts 2004

box 4, folder 9

Elayne Dolores Sanders Numerology Analysis

box 4, folder 10

Melida Hines (8) Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 11

Gregory Praeter Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 12

Baby Sharma/Lily Astrology Chart 2003

box 4, folder 13

Brother X Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 14

Astro Charts Letters  October, November 2003

box 4, folder 15

Baby Michelle Astrology Chart 2003

box 4, folder 16

Franklin Michelle Astrology Chart 2003

box 4, folder 17

Kathryn Farmer Astrological Calculations 2004

box 4, folder 18

Kenka Astrological Calculations and Charts 2004

box 4, folder 19

Shamala Astrology Chart 2003

box 4, folder 20

Rena Astrology Chart 2004

box 4, folder 21

Lendra Lee (60) Astrology Chart 2004

box 4, folder 22

Cecilia Astrology Chart

box 4, folder 23

Willeta Astrology Chart 2004

box 4, folder 24

Alia Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 25

Percell Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 26

Kenyaka Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 27

Taiwo Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 28

Asali Astrology Chart 2003

box 4, folder 29

Lois Palmer Astrology Chart 2003

box 4, folder 30

Aurora Lee Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 31

Whyatt Lee Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 32

Taybren Lee Astrology Chart 2004

box 4, folder 33

Donyelle Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 34

Quincey Mitchell Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 35

Peter Farmer Astrology Chart  2003-2004

box 4, folder 36

Kamal Astrology Chart  2004

box 4, folder 37

Mary Pratar Astrology Chart and Calculations 2003

box 4, folder 38

Danielle Astrology Chart  2003

box 4, folder 39

Kweku Jones Astrology Chart

box 4, folder 40

Kusudi Astrology Chart  August 2003

box 4, folder 41

Qya's Sisterhood (Charts)  2003

box 4, folder 42

Seth Lennon Weiner Astrology Chart

box 4, folder 43

Erica Byrd Astrology Chart 2003

box 4, folder 44

Beverly Coleman "Ushukela" Letter, Astrology Chart, and Calculations 2003

box 4, folder 45

Timiza Astrology Chart 2003

box 4, folder 46

Neith Astrology Church

box 4, folder 47

Sebek Astrology Chart

box 4, folder 48

Dadisi Composite Charts

box 4, folder 49

Sanyika Family Charts

box 4, folder 50

Steve Faison Astrology Chart  2003

box 4, folder 51

Kevin Terry Astrological Calculations 2003

box 4, folder 52

Alexander Astrological Calculations and Charts  2003-2004

box 5, folder 1

Notes

box 4, folder 2

Astrology Charts and Readings

box 4, folder 3

Astrology Charts and Readings

box 4, folder 4

Dadisi #55 Astrology Charts and Readings

box 4, folder 5

Astrology Farms

box 5, folder 6

University of Metaphysics; Study Lesson Exams

box 5, folder 7

University of Metaphysics, lessons and exams

box 5, folder 8

University of Metaphysics Lessons

box 5, folder 9

Bruce S. Fisher: Man, Grand Reflection of the Greater Cosmos October 12, 1995

box 5, folder 10

Personalized Astrology Lesson, Astro Communications Services Inc. Prepared for John Sanyika 2004

box 5, folder 11

Adams:MA'AT (Ancient Egyptian Spirituality)

 

Print-out of articles by H.P. Blavatsky from Blavatsky.org  1997

 

Series III: African and African American Cultural Studies and Events circa 1990s-2000s

Physical Description: 3 Linear Feet
Physical Description: 5 boxes

Scope and Contents

This series includes materials concerning African and African American culture. Formats include flyers, handouts, event tickets, magazine and newspaper clippings, and VHS videos on African drumming and dance.
box 7, folder 1

African American Mental Health Conf. Letters and Workshop Presenters Application 2003

box 7, folder 2

African Technological Resource Conference; The Knowledge Broker. notes, flyers, agendas, etc.  1992

box 7, folder 3

The Knowledge Broker Administrative Materials  1992

box 7, folder 4

African Cultural Center Mailing List

box 7, folder 5

Black Studies Printouts

box 7, folder 6

A Society of Men Notebook 2001

box 7, folder 7

African and African American Cultural Events and Flyers

box 7, folder 8

African Druming and Dance

box 7, folder 9

Golden Thread Productions Mailers  2000

box 8, folder 1

Truth Seeker Handbook: Training in African Spirituality

box 8, folder 2

Universal Revolutionary Wisdom Study Books for the Wise

box 8, folder 3

Newspapers

box 8, folder 4

Newspapers

box 8, folder 5

Newspapers

box 8, folder 6

The Black Orange (Orange County, California, African American Newsletter June 1992

box 9, folder 1

African Dance and Percussion Videos  1991

box 9, folder 2

The Healing Passage Video  2004

box 9, folder 3

The Healing Passage Video 2004

box 9, folder 4

Journey into Rhythm Video

box 10, folder 1

Pangols and Rhythmes Traditionnels du Mandingue Videos

box 10, folder 2

Leeyen Story and CSULB Celebration Afrikan Culture Videos 1998

box 10, folder 3

Hands on Drumming Video

box 10, folder 4

Doundolinba, Sano, and Maharishi's System of Rehabilitation

box 11, folder 1

Black Dance Programs Videos 1992

box 11, folder 2

A Kalahari Family, Views of American Futurists, and 1992 Dance Classes 1992

box 11, folder 3

Power Nomics and African Ballet Videos

box 11, folder 4

Jailyaa, Malcolm X, and 50th Jubalee Videos

box 12, folder 1

Million Man March, L.A. Keita, Cinetrea and Akebulan Videos  1995,1998,2000

box 12, folder 2

Music and Dance of Guinea and Mamady Leita Videos

box 12, folder 3

Hoxsey The (?) Cured Cancer, A Kalahaki Family, Great Homecoming Videos  1998

box 12, folder 4

Diary of an Angry Black Woman, Rae and David Wedding, John Sterling Mystery Series Videos

box 13, folder 1

Items removed from books (bookmarks, tickets, flyers, cards etc.)  1960s-1990s

 

Series IV: Items Removed from Books 1970s-2000s

Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet
Physical Description: 1 box

Scope and Contents

This series consists of items removed from published books cataloged individually including bookmarks from local bookstores, event tickets, event flyers, notes, business cards, and publisher order cards.
box 13, folder 2

Items removed from books (bookmarks, tickets, flyers, cards etc.)  1960s-1990s

box 13, folder 3

Items removed from books (bookmarks, tickets, flyers, cards etc.)  1960s-1990s

box 13, folder 4

African American Publications  1990s

 

Series V: PermaCulture 2003-2004

Physical Description: 0.5 Linear Feet
Physical Description: 1 box

Scope and Contents

This series consists of materials on Sanyika's interest and work with PermaCulture, a sustainable mode agriculture and social planning based on natural ecosystems. Included are notes on PermaCulture design and application, flyers and brochures, e-mails from the Los Angeles, PermaCulture Guild, and project proposals and plans.
box 14, folder 1

Permaculture Design Notes (notebook) 2003

box 14, folder 2

Permaculture notes (notebook) 2004

box 14, folder 3

Permaculture team project (notes, assignments, and flyers)  2003-2004

box 14, folder 4

Permaculture lesson plans and flyers  2004

box 14, folder 5

Urban Permaculture notes (notebook) 2003

box 14, folder 6

Permaculture fylers and brocures  2003

box 14, folder 7

Food forestry project flyers  2000-2004

box 14, folder 8

LA Permaculture Guild (e-mail newsletters) 2003

box 14, folder 9

Building Sustainable Communities in Southern Californnia, A Confernece of the Southern California Council on Environment and Development. April 18, 1994 April 18, 1994