FROM THE SUITCASE--Oliha Yiwama

Remembering Our Loved Ones

Africa is composed of many ethnic groups, cultures, languages and religions. Some of my friends have focused on the diversity of Africa, but although Africa is diverse, I have always touted the uniformity of many of African beliefs. One of the most important belief in Africa is ancestral veneration. Africans universally have a great respect for ancestors. Ancestor veneration is at the core of African culture.

In Nigeria, many of the names that refer to ancestors are also used simultaneously with elders. For instance, the Edo people use the word edion to both mean ancestors or elders that are up in age, since they are the repository of ancient wisdom. Many of the moral codes in pre-colonial Nigeria were based upon ancestor veneration, respect for ancestral authority.

According to tradition, food or drinks were poured on the ground in memory of the ancestors. Prayers were directed to the them for help in daily activities or major decisions that affected the family. Ancestral altars are placed in sacred spaces within the home to constantly remind the living of the memory and close ties of the departed.

Yes, the ancestor remains a valuable part of the family, and was constantly consulted. In traditional African societies, the belief that life did not end once a person left the physical realm was paramount. Life continued in the same manner in the spiritual existence, with constant contact between the two spheres. By keeping the ancestors near, moral codes were enforced and family ties were maintained.

The Yoruba are another well-documented group that maintain ancestral veneration. One of the features the Yoruba are best known for is their ancestral masquerade (egungun). The masquerade reinforces the moral codes of that community, and reaffirms the ties between the departed and the remaining souls. In Nigeria, many masquerades represent elaborate stories that reflect moral codes and guidance.

In a sense, the bond between child and parent is never broken in an African society, even after death. In Africa, death was viewed as a transition in a continued cycle of birth and rebirth. In the diaspora, where traditional African customs are maintained in Candomble and Santeria, ancestral veneration also plays a major role. Diaspora shrines have pictures of the departed, as well as ancestral staffs, for remembering the blessings of the departed parents.

The memories that go along with the physical altars are many. For me, it would be unthinkable to not have a place to pay respect and to fondly remember my departed love ones. There are many lessons in life that I can hear spiritually from my granma and granpa. I can remember how it was a healing effect to have finally put the last touches on my ancestral shrine. It is our ancestors and elders that gave us the starting blocks in which to prepare our lives.

In the diaspora, a method of divination that any person can partake in is ancestral divination. The ancestors are the closest bond to our genetic being. It is from their DNA code that we come into existence. It is that code that bonds us to the future generations. One continuous bond.! Those memories feel us with joy and warmth because our sacred ancestors were the first in our genetic line, our caregivers, and confidants.

If you are missing one of your parents, maybe an ancestral shrine is in order to re-establish that healing bond. Come see me.

And come to Saminaka's African Festival Oct. 1-4 and experience the wonderful world of African masquerade! The egungun will be there, as well as other masqueraders, ancestral and otherwise.