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Maat children

100 things a Maat child should know before 18

A "Maat child" is raised with a commitment to truth (Maat), not illusion (Isfet)

Foundations of Maat

Know who Maat is — the NTR (divine principle) of balance, truth, and order.
Understand the 42 Laws (Declarations) of Maat.
Memorize and reflect on the daily recitation of “I have not…” (e.g., I have not lied, I have not stolen).
Understand the balance between heart (emotion) and mind (reason).
Know the meaning of Isfet (chaos, untruth) and how to avoid it.
Know how to identify truth — in self, speech, and surroundings.
Practice speaking the truth, with compassion.
Understand that justice is restorative, not punitive.
Live with serudj ta — the commitment to repair the world.
Understand that Maat is not a religion — it’s a way of life.

African Identity & Legacy

Know that your roots are African — and divine.
Learn about ancient Kemet, Nubia, and other African civilizations.
Know key African proverbs and their lessons (e.g., "I am because we are").
Understand African time: cyclical, sacred, and purposeful.
Learn about African spiritual systems (Ifa, Vodun, Kemetic spirituality, etc.).
Celebrate African aesthetics — natural hair, skin, body.
Know your African/Black heroes — past and present.
Resist Eurocentric miseducation and colonial lies.
Be proud of your lineage — even if you were disconnected from it.
Know that you are a continuation of your ancestors’ hopes.

Moral & Ethical Integrity

Tell the truth, even when it's hard.
Keep your word and commitments.
Admit when you’re wrong and make amends.
Respect others’ boundaries and personhood.
Walk in righteousness even when no one is watching.
Avoid gossip, slander, or deceit.
Return what is not yours — in spirit and action.
Show respect to elders and youth alike.
Think before you act — ask, “Is this in alignment with Maat?”
Use your voice to uplift, not destroy.

Self-Mastery & Inner Balance

Control your anger through breath and thought.
Develop a calm, focused mind through meditation or stillness.
Avoid gluttony, greed, or over-indulgence.
Reflect daily on your actions and intentions.
Journal your growth and struggles.
Align your heart to truth — keep it "lighter than a feather."
Let go of envy and celebrate others' success.
Strive for harmony in relationships, not domination.
Know your emotional triggers and how to manage them.
Practice daily rituals that center you.

Intellectual Development & African Knowledge

Know how to read critically and question information.
Study African-centered history, science, philosophy, and art.
Learn how knowledge was preserved in temples and oral traditions.
Study ancient scripts (Medu Neter, Ge’ez, etc.) if possible.
Value wisdom more than information.
Learn from nature, elders, and everyday life — not just books.
Ask deep questions about existence, purpose, and ethics.
Know the difference between memorization and understanding.
Master time management and focused learning.
Understand math, science, and the arts as African innovations.

Life Skills with Maat Principles

Cook and eat with intention, gratitude, and balance.
Manage money with discipline — no exploitation or waste.
Plan ahead without anxiety.
Care for your space — clean, organized, sacred.
Practice daily gratitude.
Know how to resolve conflicts peacefully.
Stay rooted in humility even when successful.
Use technology wisely and with awareness.
Maintain physical health — fitness, nutrition, hygiene.
Protect your energy and mental wellness.

Right Speech & Communication

Speak with intention — don’t waste words.
Avoid curses, gossip, lies, and speech that causes harm.
Learn to listen deeply, not just respond.
Ask questions with humility.
Know how to express disagreement without disrespect.
Study oratory — the power of speech in African traditions.
Practice storytelling with moral depth.
Speak truth to power when necessary.
Learn when silence is wise.
Use your voice to educate and heal.

Relationships, Family & Community

Honor your parents and ancestors through action.
Learn your family history and oral traditions.
Build relationships based on mutual respect and harmony.
Know your responsibilities to the community — not just yourself.
Learn African rites of passage and participate in them.
Serve others — especially the vulnerable.
Protect children and uplift the elderly.
Practice forgiveness and reconciliation.
Support other Black people in their healing and growth.
Know that your worth includes your role in the village.

Civic, Cultural & Global Awareness

Understand how colonization, racism, and capitalism disrupt Maat.
Know your rights and how to advocate for justice.
Resist injustice with intelligence, not just emotion.
Learn to organize — community work is sacred.
Study liberation movements (e.g., Garveyism, Pan-Africanism).
Know the African diaspora — Haiti, Brazil, Cuba, South Africa, etc.
Study African contributions to medicine, architecture, spirituality.
Care for the Earth — water, soil, animals — as sacred.
Protect your culture from appropriation and erasure.
Practice global solidarity rooted in justice and truth.

Spiritual Power & Purpose

Know that you are a soul on a journey — not just a body.
Cultivate daily spiritual practice — prayer, libation, meditation, etc.
Study the concept of divine balance (Sekhem, Ka, Ba).
Understand the afterlife judgment in Maat (weighing of the heart).
Develop intuition and inner guidance.
Use dreams, rituals, and symbols as sources of insight.
Know your spiritual purpose and gifts.
Build altars or sacred spaces at home.
Live your life so your name is honored after death.
Know that success is living in alignment with your highest self — and Maat.

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