Hey, brother Pan, I thought I would bring this web page over to the PanAfrican forum so that we could get some feedback from Continental brothers and sisters on the importance of these African customs to them, as individuals, as well as to the African collective...

Reading about the phases(rites of passage) which Africans attempt to prepare their children right through to the elders, is marvelously fascinating... I am filled with a sense of happiness on one hand, but sadness on the other, for African Americans seem not to regard the customs of our ancestors as important, as legitimate social and cultural expressions of a world historical people...

I would that we African Americans would know and understand that we come from this, and unto this we must return if we are to return WHOLE to that which brought us here... I hope we can have a discussion on these initiation rites, especially with our brethren and sistren from the Motherland... I want to know what impact has the experience of these rites of passage had on your life, and do you still remember what your personal experience was like??? How can we African Americans return to rites of initiation for our children, our daughters, sons, elders??? Anyone have any suggestions???

http://destee.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28700

Peace!
Isaiah

I think this is fascinating information brother Isaiah, thank you for introducing it to the PanAfrican forum. Hopefully we will get some feedback from our Continental brothers & sisters.

I think this is fascinating information brother Isaiah, thank you for introducing it to the PanAfrican forum. Hopefully we will get some feedback from our Continental brothers & sisters.


Yeah, bruh, hopefully we can get Sisters Fanyambo, Kwango Likemba, and brother African Prince to expound on their personal experiences with African Initiations Rites... Perhaps, We could use their personal experiences in encouraging us to call them into practice again, here in the wilderness of North America...

Peace!
Isaiah

I don't know any African ritual rites, the only thing I've heard of is when Kunta was cut in Roots.

Isaiah, I am new to the group, As a matter of a fact I just stumbbled upon this today. I have just read the African Rites of Passage.

I wholeheartedly agree with initiating the Rites of Passage into the community.

I need to ask my parents about our tradition before I post anything on here. We have a magical initiation and rituals for passage into adulthood. I will post about it.. I need to talk to my parents first! The elders have the knowledge!

I don't know any African ritual rites, the only thing I've heard of is when Kunta was cut in Roots.

Brother Prince, that was a low blow... Thank you for contributing so magnificently to the divide between African peoples... If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem...

Sister Kwango, thank you for sincerly seeking to answer my query... I anxiously await your findings...

Peace!
Isaiah

Brother Prince, that was a low blow... Thank you for contributing so magnificently to the divide between African peoples... If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem...Sister Kwango, thank you for sincerly seeking to answer my query... I anxiously await your findings...

You know brother Isaiah you asked "continential" brothers & sisters to give their feedback/knowledge on the subject. Brother African_Prince isn't really a continential African, he was born & raised in Canada (as far as I know). That probably plays a significant factor in his not being aware of African Initiation Rites. People are aware of such rites only if they are taught them or they have specifically studied about them.

"Brother Prince, that was a low blow... Thank you for contributing so magnificently to the divide between African peoples... If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem...

Sister Kwango, thank you for sincerly seeking to answer my query... I anxiously await your findings...

Peace!
Isaiah"

I honestly don't understand, how was that a 'low blow' . I don't know any African initiation rites ( I'm as interested as you are, ) so I said, jokingly, the only thing I know is when Kunta got cut in Roots. I don't think the Bemba of Zambia have any initiation rites but you don't want to hear this do you?

" Brother African_Prince isn't really a continential African, he was born & raised in Canada (as far as I know). That probably plays a significant factor in his not being aware of African Initiation Rites. People are aware of such rites only if they are taught them or they have specifically studied about them."

With all respect, that's a retarded and pathetic thing to say. Who cares where I was raised ( and I was born in Zambia, moved to Canada when I was 3 ) I am ethnically African. None of the Zambians I have contact with could tell you about any African initiation rites, if there even are any, unfortanatly their probably extinct because of urbanization/Westernization and you'd probably have to go to the rural areas to find out about them. In short, I'm sure not all African groups have initiation rites and if they do their probably only practiced in the rural areas and most African immigrants come from urban cities/towns.

How is my not knowing contributing to 'dividing African people'? Why have you and Isaiah taken that offensively? I didn't mean it maliciously.

"Brother Prince, that was a low blow... Thank you for contributing so magnificently to the divide between African peoples... If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem...

Sister Kwango, thank you for sincerly seeking to answer my query... I anxiously await your findings...

Peace!
Isaiah"

I honestly don't understand, how was that a 'low blow' . I don't know any African initiation rites ( I'm as interested as you are, ) so I said, jokingly, the only thing I know is when Kunta got cut in Roots. I don't think the Bemba of Zambia have any initiation rites but you don't want to hear this do you?

" Brother African_Prince isn't really a continential African, he was born & raised in Canada (as far as I know). That probably plays a significant factor in his not being aware of African Initiation Rites. People are aware of such rites only if they are taught them or they have specifically studied about them."

With all respect, that's a retarded and pathetic thing to say. Who cares where I was raised ( and I was born in Zambia, moved to Canada when I was 3 ) I am ethnically African. None of the Zambians I have contact with could tell you about any African initiation rites, if there even are any, unfortanatly their probably extinct because of urbanization/Westernization and you'd probably have to go to the rural areas to find out about them. In short, I'm sure not all African groups have initiation rites and if they do their probably only practiced in the rural areas and most African immigrants come from urban cities/towns.

How is my not knowing contributing to 'dividing African people'? Why have you and Isaiah taken that offensively? I didn't mean it maliciously.


Brother, I will accept your explanation for what you said initially, but by the same token, I did implicitly ask for input from those in the know. Pardon me for assuming that you had any clue as to what I was talking about.(smile!)

Perhaps, I did step over the line in saying that your response was divisive, but then with the levels of sensitivity some are given to, that might not be a reach considering your answer... Can we move forward, brother??? Thank you...

PEACE!~
Isaiah

I'm quick replying this as I'm in a bit of a rush. I admit I have not read the article and will do so and then maybe respond to it. I doubt that there are any African communities that do not have traditional rites of passage. Even those that have western influence have some sort or other. Amongst my mix of communities circumcision (both female and male) is traditionally practiced as the rote of passage from childhood to adulthood. There are other rites that mark entrance into various stages of life. Back later!
Oh and I support some and think others should stop as they do more harm than good.

Here are some initiation rites for males of my wife's people, the Bubi, from Equatorial Guinea. I have a few reservations about this account though, it is written by a Spanish Missionary, who makes several negative remarks about the customs of the Bubi. His accounts was supposedly based on decades of interviews with Bubi Botukus (leaders/chiefs) and important members of Bubi society. Unfortunately this website (which is a translated book) is the only account of Bubi customs/history that is written in English:

Puberty usually manifests in the indigenous of Fernando Po at age sixteen or seventeen in males, and at fourteen or fifteen in young women. There are a few instances of this occurring earlier, but more commonly some occur later.

Young men celebrate their entrance into puberty, in particular in the northern regions, in the following manner: The day arrives and the young man takes a bath, spreads himself with ntola pomade, then adorns himself with bipa and besori or mesorí (cords from palm leaves) and other items. Supplied with traveling calabashes of palm wine, he presents himself to the village botuku. He offers the botuku one of these filled with the exquisite and tasty liquor and the botuku receives the calabash with signs of gratitude.

The botuku then gives him a new name, with which from now on he must be recognized. With a certain ceremony, they accept him into the category of the village’s young men of marriageable age. He presents himself to the chief of the young men, botuku boa baseseppe, under whose orders he will be while he remains single. The botuku boa baseseppe convenes a general meeting of the single adults of the village, presents the new candidate to them, and they all welcome him and congratulate him for having arrived at this happy and joyful age, so fervently desired by the girls and the source of nostalgic regret and envy by the old people. Later, amicably, they finish the remaining calabashes of the delicious liquor.

In reference to the new name that now distinguishes the pubescent, we note that they call the name of the youth ilá ro baseseppe, and the name that he had before this age the ilá ro bola, or name of the child. In the future, no one who is younger or equal to his age may call him with his childhood name.

http://www.thebubis.com/Chapters%2010%20through%2014.htm

For Africans to live in the West while trying to maintain ancestral knowledge and spirituality is a real challenge! In Europeanized and Christianized schools in Congo we learn to reject whatever native culture we have. Yes, in big cites we learn to forget our ancestral ways. And in too many cases Western education will make our people think that our indigenous rituals are devilish or inspired by Satan! But even in capitals and major cities African traditions never disappear. It remains even if it overlaps the practice of the religious observance of Christianity or Islam. Culturally, the presence of indigenous identity is clearly evident, in the form of music and dance, the sense of esthetic, habits, etc. In Africa in general, the people still go to see the traditional healers (shaman) or the diviners to heal themselves or the community. People still accomplish sacrifice at sacred altars to the ancestors or spirit beings and pour libations. Every African group kept their tradition even if they don’t recognize it. It’s not because 'someone' doesn’t know their indigenous nature, language and ancestral rituals that they "don’t exist." Africa is the home of our ancestral spirits - period!

The indigenous belief of the Luba is that nature is the foundation of life. The Luba people think nature is the school where children must play and study. Our relationship to the natural world and its natural laws determines whether or not we are conscious. Therefore, the Luba custom in the villages is to organize rites of passages to see spiritual beings for young boys and girls. For Westerners the idea is absurd but for the Luba it’s an education. You have to take a special hallucinogen plant called the 'mbuti' that is used strictly for traditional ceremonies. Once we experience a number of psychedelic sensations we go in nature to look at a rock, a tree, a stream, a cloud, a flower, or the earth beneath our feet until the spirits inside these things reveal to you. An elder (someone very old one who is close to the Other World) will go there with us to make sure we execute our initiation properly.

I remember when I was 14 years old I went to the village with my father for the ritual initiation to see the mukississi. I was painted in red clay all over my body and the mbuti plant was given to me. We eat or drink the sour mbuti plant to change ordinary perception or the perception of the material world, because the spirits of nature live in the shadow. Nature place a thin veil over its true self and us, we must be able to align ourselves with this narrow perception for the spirits to manifest. An elder and I went to the forest, I chose to see the mukississi in a stream because I love water. I took a good look at the water and called on the spirit. Soon after, I saw 2 little boys with elongated faces and blue skin coming out the water. They look at me with excitement, I wasn’t scared. They spoke about our long history, about the Luba Kingdom, our destruction, European domination and the resurrection of the Luba people and Black Africa to come and then they vanished before my eyes. The mukississi were beautiful kids, with beautiful hairstyles, clothes and weapons. I think I encountered my ancestors form the Other World. I had no idea how long I was there listening to them, but I think a long time. After, I had fantastic visions and a feeling of wild freedom. For the Luba people this ceremony initiates adolescent into adulthood, the mbuti drug is given to allow us to "see" our ancestors, the gods and the spirits of the universe and the animals. It’s a fantastic journey.

Also, the Luba passage rite for young boys is circumcision. It’s the Luba tradition to circumcise the boys in collective ceremonies when they are between 10 and 12 years old, instead of in hospitals after birth. The circumcisions are held in summer months and the Luba tradition wants the circumcisions to be made with big ceremonies in festive atmospheres. The elders of the village determine a date for the feast. They invite relatives, friends and neighbors. Feasts take place in the center of the villages. People prepare a highly decorated shrine for the boys; food must be available, aromatic herbs and fresh drinks. In the morning of the feast, the boys are all taken at the shrine with a designated elder, and are circumcised by the shaman while the designated elder holds him. The elder who holds has to be somebody close to the boy, a grandparent in preference. The circumcision causes the boys a lot of pain and there will be a lot of blood but the boy will not be allowed to cry! They must forget the pain and after that they must participate in the festivities! My dad told me he nearly fainted but he remained conscious all day long to not shame our family. The community considered him brave, as well as the other boys who didn’t cry and forgot the pain.

For Africans to live in the West while trying to maintain ancestral knowledge and spirituality is a real challenge! In Europeanized and Christianized schools in Congo we learn to reject whatever native culture we have. Yes, in big cites we learn to forget our ancestral ways. And in too many cases Western education will make our people think that our indigenous rituals are devilish or inspired by Satan! But even in capitals and major cities African traditions never disappear. It remains even if it overlaps the practice of the religious observance of Christianity or Islam. Culturally, the presence of indigenous identity is clearly evident, in the form of music and dance, the sense of esthetic, habits, etc. In Africa in general, the people still go to see the traditional healers (shaman) or the diviners to heal themselves or the community. People still accomplish sacrifice at sacred altars to the ancestors or spirit beings and pour libations. Every African group kept their tradition even if they don’t recognize it. It’s not because 'someone' doesn’t know their indigenous nature, language and ancestral rituals that they "don’t exist." Africa is the home of our ancestral spirits - period!

The indigenous belief of the Luba is that nature is the foundation of life. The Luba people think nature is the school where children must play and study. Our relationship to the natural world and its natural laws determines whether or not we are conscious. Therefore, the Luba custom in the villages is to organize rites of passages to see spiritual beings for young boys and girls. For Westerners the idea is absurd but for the Luba it’s an education. You have to take a special hallucinogen plant called the 'mbuti' that is used strictly for traditional ceremonies. Once we experience a number of psychedelic sensations we go in nature to look at a rock, a tree, a stream, a cloud, a flower, or the earth beneath our feet until the spirits inside these things reveal to you. An elder (someone very old one who is close to the Other World) will go there with us to make sure we execute our initiation properly.

I remember when I was 14 years old I went to the village with my father for the ritual initiation to see the mukississi. I was painted in red clay all over my body and the mbuti plant was given to me. We eat or drink the sour mbuti plant to change ordinary perception or the perception of the material world, because the spirits of nature live in the shadow. Nature place a thin veil over its true self and us, we must be able to align ourselves with this narrow perception for the spirits to manifest. An elder and I went to the forest, I chose to see the mukississi in a stream because I love water. I took a good look at the water and called on the spirit. Soon after, I saw 2 little boys with elongated faces and blue skin coming out the water. They look at me with excitement, I wasn’t scared. They spoke about our long history, about the Luba Kingdom, our destruction, European domination and the resurrection of the Luba people and Black Africa to come and then they vanished before my eyes. The mukississi were beautiful kids, with beautiful hairstyles, clothes and weapons. I think I encountered my ancestors form the Other World. I had no idea how long I was there listening to them, but I think a long time. After, I had fantastic visions and a feeling of wild freedom. For the Luba people this ceremony initiates adolescent into adulthood, the mbuti drug is given to allow us to "see" our ancestors, the gods and the spirits of the universe and the animals. It’s a fantastic journey.

Also, the Luba passage rite for young boys is circumcision. It’s the Luba tradition to circumcise the boys in collective ceremonies when they are between 10 and 12 years old, instead of in hospitals after birth. The circumcisions are held in summer months and the Luba tradition wants the circumcisions to be made with big ceremonies in festive atmospheres. The elders of the village determine a date for the feast. They invite relatives, friends and neighbors. Feasts take place in the center of the villages. People prepare a highly decorated shrine for the boys; food must be available, aromatic herbs and fresh drinks. In the morning of the feast, the boys are all taken at the shrine with a designated elder, and are circumcised by the shaman while the designated elder holds him. The elder who holds has to be somebody close to the boy, a grandparent in preference. The circumcision causes the boys a lot of pain and there will be a lot of blood but the boy will not be allowed to cry! They must forget the pain and after that they must participate in the festivities! My dad told me he nearly fainted but he remained conscious all day long to not shame our family. The community considered him brave, as well as the other boys who didn’t cry and forgot the pain.

This is fascinating! Thank you for sharing sister Kwango_Likemba!

For Africans to live in the West while trying to maintain ancestral knowledge and spirituality is a real challenge! In Europeanized and Christianized schools in Congo we learn to reject whatever native culture we have. Yes, in big cites we learn to forget our ancestral ways. And in too many cases Western education will make our people think that our indigenous rituals are devilish or inspired by Satan! But even in capitals and major cities African traditions never disappear. It remains even if it overlaps the practice of the religious observance of Christianity or Islam. Culturally, the presence of indigenous identity is clearly evident, in the form of music and dance, the sense of esthetic, habits, etc. In Africa in general, the people still go to see the traditional healers (shaman) or the diviners to heal themselves or the community. People still accomplish sacrifice at sacred altars to the ancestors or spirit beings and pour libations. Every African group kept their tradition even if they don’t recognize it. It’s not because 'someone' doesn’t know their indigenous nature, language and ancestral rituals that they "don’t exist." Africa is the home of our ancestral spirits - period!

The indigenous belief of the Luba is that nature is the foundation of life. The Luba people think nature is the school where children must play and study. Our relationship to the natural world and its natural laws determines whether or not we are conscious. Therefore, the Luba custom in the villages is to organize rites of passages to see spiritual beings for young boys and girls. For Westerners the idea is absurd but for the Luba it’s an education. You have to take a special hallucinogen plant called the 'mbuti' that is used strictly for traditional ceremonies. Once we experience a number of psychedelic sensations we go in nature to look at a rock, a tree, a stream, a cloud, a flower, or the earth beneath our feet until the spirits inside these things reveal to you. An elder (someone very old one who is close to the Other World) will go there with us to make sure we execute our initiation properly.

I remember when I was 14 years old I went to the village with my father for the ritual initiation to see the mukississi. I was painted in red clay all over my body and the mbuti plant was given to me. We eat or drink the sour mbuti plant to change ordinary perception or the perception of the material world, because the spirits of nature live in the shadow. Nature place a thin veil over its true self and us, we must be able to align ourselves with this narrow perception for the spirits to manifest. An elder and I went to the forest, I chose to see the mukississi in a stream because I love water. I took a good look at the water and called on the spirit. Soon after, I saw 2 little boys with elongated faces and blue skin coming out the water. They look at me with excitement, I wasn’t scared. They spoke about our long history, about the Luba Kingdom, our destruction, European domination and the resurrection of the Luba people and Black Africa to come and then they vanished before my eyes. The mukississi were beautiful kids, with beautiful hairstyles, clothes and weapons. I think I encountered my ancestors form the Other World. I had no idea how long I was there listening to them, but I think a long time. After, I had fantastic visions and a feeling of wild freedom. For the Luba people this ceremony initiates adolescent into adulthood, the mbuti drug is given to allow us to "see" our ancestors, the gods and the spirits of the universe and the animals. It’s a fantastic journey.

Also, the Luba passage rite for young boys is circumcision. It’s the Luba tradition to circumcise the boys in collective ceremonies when they are between 10 and 12 years old, instead of in hospitals after birth. The circumcisions are held in summer months and the Luba tradition wants the circumcisions to be made with big ceremonies in festive atmospheres. The elders of the village determine a date for the feast. They invite relatives, friends and neighbors. Feasts take place in the center of the villages. People prepare a highly decorated shrine for the boys; food must be available, aromatic herbs and fresh drinks. In the morning of the feast, the boys are all taken at the shrine with a designated elder, and are circumcised by the shaman while the designated elder holds him. The elder who holds has to be somebody close to the boy, a grandparent in preference. The circumcision causes the boys a lot of pain and there will be a lot of blood but the boy will not be allowed to cry! They must forget the pain and after that they must participate in the festivities! My dad told me he nearly fainted but he remained conscious all day long to not shame our family. The community considered him brave, as well as the other boys who didn’t cry and forgot the pain.

Sister Kwango, incredibly lucid, profoundly vivid, recitation of African tradition and custom(LUBA Style)... Wow! You have contributed mightily to advancing our understanding of the traditions of our folks on the CONTINENT! Keep on bringin' the good stuff, as we who have lost our way can only find our way through those who know...

I am a little saddened by the fact of what goes on in the cities of AFrica... It seems we are too quick to discard our valuables to please others... That is essentially what it comes down to... Like we are fitting our roundness into their square holes...

Peace!
Isaiah

Sister Kwango, incredibly lucid, profoundly vivid, recitation of African tradition and custom(LUBA Style)... Wow! You have contributed mightily to advancing our understanding of the traditions of our folks on the CONTINENT! Keep on bringin' the good stuff, as we who have lost our way can only find our way through those who know...

I am a little saddened by the fact of what goes on in the cities of AFrica... It seems we are too quick to discard our valuables to please others... That is essentially what it comes down to... Like we are fitting our roundness into their square holes...

Peace!
Isaiah
Thanks for your replies Brothers! Yes, in Africa today Western institutions are creating a HUGE GAP between people in villages and people in cities. To the villagers what we learned in white schools is poisonous and dangerous! To Western trained Africans in major African cities the people in the village are superstitious, backward and quite disgusting :( :( :(..

I went to the European school in Goma in North Kivu until age 20! The cultural repression of my ancestors was unbearable to me and I was whipped regularly by the teachers because I was lazy and insolent. By necessity at age 20, my family sent me back at our village, Boulougoulou which is a peaceful village in the forest, for 3 years to HEAL. It’s in Boulougoulou that I learned love for the community, important rituals and ceremonies for good health, protection and harmony. The village strengthened my ethnic and African identity forever! :)

Thanks for your replies Brothers! Yes, in Africa today Western institutions are creating a HUGE GAP between people in villages and people in cities. To the villagers what we learned in white schools is poisonous and dangerous! To Western trained Africans in major African cities the people in the village are superstitious, backward and quite disgusting :( :( :(..

I went to the European school in Goma in North Kivu until age 20! The cultural repression of my ancestors was unbearable to me and I was whipped regularly by the teachers because I was lazy and insolent. By necessity at age 20, my family sent me back at our village, Boulougoulou which is a peaceful village in the forest, for 3 years to HEAL. It’s in Boulougoulou that I learned love for the community, important rituals and ceremonies for good health, protection and harmony. The village strengthened my ethnic and African identity forever! :)

Thank you, sister Kwango for your insights... I wish more brothers and sisters would regale us with their stories... I think I got "homesick" listening to yours(smile!) Beautiful way you have with words, Sister Kwango...

Peace!
Isaiah

Thank you, sister Kwango for your insights... I wish more brothers and sisters would regale us with their stories... I think I got "homesick" listening to yours(smile!) Beautiful way you have with words, Sister Kwango...

Peace!
Isaiah

I'm sure that Kwango_Likemba could write a book if she sat down and thought about it. There would be an audience if she did.

I'm sure that Kwango_Likemba could write a book if she sat down and thought about it. There would be an audience if she did.
lol....Thanks!

The indigenous belief of the Luba is that nature is the foundation of life. The Luba people think nature is the school where children must play and study. Our relationship to the natural world and its natural laws determines whether or not we are conscious. Therefore, the Luba custom in the villages is to organize rites of passages to see spiritual beings for young boys and girls. For Westerners the idea is absurd but for the Luba it’s an education. You have to take a special hallucinogen plant called the 'mbuti' that is used strictly for traditional ceremonies. Once we experience a number of psychedelic sensations we go in nature to look at a rock, a tree, a stream, a cloud, a flower, or the earth beneath our feet until the spirits inside these things reveal to you. An elder (someone very old one who is close to the Other World) will go there with us to make sure we execute our initiation properly.So this must be where I get this sense of "opening to nature" with some good bud! Yeah; it's all about Mother Earth! And y'all have a ritual that is based on this?!! Oh wow! Where do I sign up?? And I could mean that seriously: Many times I've thought of going up to the Tulalip, Lummi, or Stillaguamish Nations and seeking instruction, but I hesitate because I am not Native American. This would be so much better!!

I'm gonna (yuck) try the search engines to see what I can find about the Lubu People, but I'd appreciate any teaching/wisdom you would consent to provide, Sister Kwango!

I'm gonna (yuck) try the search engines to see what I can find about the Lubu People, but I'd appreciate any teaching/wisdom you would consent to provide, Sister Kwango!

Stay tuned for volume 1 of Kwango_Likemba's upcoming book on Luba Culture and Initiation Rites!

Stay tuned for volume 1 of Kwango_Likemba's upcoming book on Luba Culture and Initiation Rites!Yeah, I saw the reference to this idea earlier in the thread; did she say that she would do something like this? `Twould indeed be something great to partake of!

Waiting is, Sister Kwango!!!

Brother anAfrican,

I am happy to see you understand and appreciate the tradition of the Luba people. Yes, it’s rooted in NATURE because the natural world serves and balances the environment and human needs! Without the village and without our elder’s ability to help us consult the Spirits for support and guidance what would happen to our indigenous traditions?

Unfortunately you won’t learn much about the Luba spirituality on the World Wide Web. The reason is our shamans recognize a close relationship between knowledge and secrecy. The shaman energy is available only in the village. To give the knowledge given to him by the Spirit to Westerners or Africans chained by the Western world is harmful. Every time I call my folks back home I face this issue, my quest for magical knowledge is almost impossible if I live in the Western world. However if you consult the Web you can learn our history and a moderate knowledge of our culture. At last, you will have to travel home to Africa and face the shamans there. They would be happy to teach you if you are going to do something good at home for them, for you and the world. The diviner to whom you will be subjected will know what you are seeking.

Stay tuned for volume 1 of Kwango_Likemba's upcoming book on Luba Culture and Initiation Rites!
You see Brother Panafrica, this is a serious project! If I tell you my experiences and the Luba indigenous spirituality it would have no meaning for you. To a Western mind it’s supernatural or an aberration. So I am very careful about telling many of our rituals.

I can describe you a libation done for the ancestors, to restore balance, peace and serenity. I will post this ritual very soon!!! One everybody can do.

I've come to understand that there is ONLY Nature: there is no seperate "environment" or "humans" or "flora/fauna" - there is only NATURE. And that knowledge gives such a peace and understanding, making this whole "civilization/economics/business" thing really silly.

I'm gonna leave myself open to getting there for the learning. (Since I don't "do money", I'll have to leave it up to "WhatEverItIs" to "FlowIt" ... and that may even wind up being me "falling into" some sort of "job/income producing" something or other ... or something else. If it is meant to be, and I'm open to it; it'll happen.) Or I could just leave myself open for the learning of some from you? `Cause you're right about that; ain't gonna learn none of it on the web, unless somebody figures out how to make money at it, and doing that negates it ... or worse.

You see Brother Panafrica, this is a serious project! If I tell you my experiences and the Luba indigenous spirituality it would have no meaning for you. To a Western mind it’s supernatural or an aberration. So I am very careful about telling many of our rituals.
I can describe you a libation done for the ancestors, to restore balance, peace and serenity. I will post this ritual very soon!!! One everybody can do.

Sister Kwango_Likemba:

You'd be surprised! An increasing amount of "western minds" are becoming open to African Spirituality and Beliefs. A large number of African Americans are following African religions like Yoruba. I actually know some white people who practice Yoruba. I'm not saying that every person you encounter would be open to what you tell. Nor am I suggesting that you reveal the secrets of your people. However if you tell basic principles & beliefs of the Luba, you would be amazed at the number of people who express an interest in learning about them.

Sister Kwango_Likemba:

You'd be surprised! An increasing amount of "western minds" are becoming open to African Spirituality and Beliefs. A large number of African Americans are following African religions like Yoruba. I actually know some white people who practice Yoruba. I'm not saying that every person you encounter would be open to what you tell. Nor am I suggesting that you reveal the secrets of your people. However if you tell basic principles & beliefs of the Luba, you would be amazed at the number of people who express an interest in learning about them.
Yeah............ I don’t know Brother Panafrica. I will think about it.

Guys, I will post the libation ritual to the ancestors soon!!!

Yeah............ I don’t know Brother Panafrica. I will think about it.

Guys, I will post the libation ritual to the ancestors soon!!!

I look forward to reading it!

Nsala malecum,

Man, how did I miss this discussion? Sister Kwango_Likemba, your story reminds me of Malidoma Some's own life's account. Both are powerful and recharging to the soul. These are beautiful times we are living in.

Just to echo Brother Pan's sentiments... Yes, many of us African-Americans are answering the ancestral call and have starting instituting certain ancestral practices back into our own lives. My fam is from Louisiana and that state, like most of the slave-owning states in North America, was heavily populated by Africans from Central and Southwestern Africa (Congo and Angola, in particular). As a matter of fact, the old hometown for my folks has the only Congo-inspired architecture in the United States. Louisiana has place names such as Angola, Louisiana (called such due to the Angolan slaves there), Congo Square in New Orleans. It is estimated that over 40% of African Americans ancestors came from the Congo region in Africa.

Back to ancestral call. I would have dreams of Africa and various landscapes and words would appear in my dream. I would have no prior knowledge of these things and once I awaken, I would search a map of Africa and realized these things detailed places in and around the Congo. After becoming more cultural aware and researching elements of Africanisms still found in African culture, it became apparent that family retain various Africanisms, especially from the Congo region. I recently got initiated into Palo, a Cuba spiritual system based off of Congo traditions. The nkisis accepted me as family and acknowledged my own blood lineage to Central Africa. Everything comes full circle.

Blackbird

Blackbird,

The Luba indigenous religion, rituals and ceremonies are like those many peoples of Bantu Africa, just like the ones in the community of Malidoma Patrice, the Dagara in particular. Our form of worship is so similar I believe you can learn the Orishas with a Luba priest or priestess, no kidding.

There are several people and cultures in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I am Luba not Kongo, however I am Congolese I have to tell you.. Can you discuss in public the initiation ritual given to you by the Palo group? Share it with the people here who are very interested!

Blackbird,

The Luba indigenous religion, rituals and ceremonies are like those many peoples of Bantu Africa, just like the ones in the community of Malidoma Patrice, the Dagara in particular. Our form of worship is so similar I believe you can learn the Orishas with a Luba priest or priestess, no kidding.

There are several people and cultures in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I am Luba not Kongo, however I am Congolese I have to tell you.. Can you discuss in public the initiation ritual given to you by the Palo group? Share it with the people here who are very interested!

Kwango Likemba,

Correct me if I'm wrong, the Bakongo inhabit the more coastal areas of the DRC, whereas, the Luba are more in the Shaba region, right? The people know as Lunda, I believe, live relatively in between the Bakongo and the Luba. More southernly, the Chokwe and Umbundu mainly reside within the present-day boundaries of Angola. Palo is not strictly Bakongo in origin. It embraces the various ethnic group from Central Africa that the slaves ancestors derived from. Albeit, Bakongo is the primarily dominant group. Unfortunately, Palo is a very secretive tradition and the details of initiation are even more secretive.

The orisa in Yoruba and the nkisi in Palo are similar, but different entities. One would not combine the two. I am initiated in Vodu, which is more Dahomean, and in Palo, more Central African. I would not combine the two, but keep them separate.

Blackbird

Man, brother Pan, this thread is picking up some steam afterall, huh???(smile!)

But I've got to agree with Sister Kwango regarding the interest of African Americans in African culture and ritual - at least at this forum...

Peace!
Isaiah

Kwango Likemba,

Correct me if I'm wrong, the Bakongo inhabit the more coastal areas of the DRC, whereas, the Luba are more in the Shaba region, right? The people know as Lunda, I believe, live relatively in between the Bakongo and the Luba. More southernly, the Chokwe and Umbundu mainly reside within the present-day boundaries of Angola. Palo is not strictly Bakongo in origin. It embraces the various ethnic group from Central Africa that the slaves ancestors derived from. Albeit, Bakongo is the primarily dominant group. Unfortunately, Palo is a very secretive tradition and the details of initiation are even more secretive.

The orisa in Yoruba and the nkisi in Palo are similar, but different entities. One would not combine the two. I am initiated in Vodu, which is more Dahomean, and in Palo, more Central African. I would not combine the two, but keep them separate.

Blackbird
Yes, the Luba people (or the Baluba) live in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo in the Kasaï and Shaba Provinces, but they are also in the eastern DR Congo in the Kivu Provinces. Overall, we are 18 % of the population. I think the Lubas live in Angola too..

The Kongo people (or Bakongo) are not the largest ethnic group! There are about 16%. They live in the central region of the DR Congo in the Bas Congo and the Bandundu Provinces. - Most of them live in the Republic of Congo (the country next door).

They are many ethnic groups in the DRC (more than 250), I am not familiar with each one! While we are all Bantu populations in Central Africa, we claim different ethnic stock and different creator ancestors.

But like I said the Kongo religion (nkissi or Palo Mayombe) include many of other Bantu peoples traditions: we all worship of the ancestors, the Great Spirit (God) and natural Spirits. I am cool with you as long you don’t praise Islam or Christianity because that is not our heritage and cultures.

I am proud of you to keep our traditions and the African gods alive in Amerikkka!

Yes, the Luba people (or the Baluba) live in the southern the DR Congo in the Kasaï and Shaba Provinces, but they are also in the eastern DR Congo in the Kivu Provinces. Overall, we are 18 % of the population. I think the Lubas are in Angola too..

The Kongo people (or Bakongo) are not the largest ethnic group. There are about 16%! They live in the central region of the DR Congo in the Bas Congo and the Bandundu Provinces. - Most of them live in the Republic of Congo (the country next door).

They are many ethnic groups in the DRC (more than 250) I am not familiar with each one! While we are all Bantu populations in Central Africa, we claim different ethnic stock and creator ancestors.

But like I said the Kongo religion (nkissi or Palo Mayombe) include many of other Bantu peoples traditions: we all worship of the ancestors, the Great Spirit (God) and natural Spirits. So I am cool with you as long you don’t worship Islam or Christianity because that is not our heritage and cultures.


Hey, I actually had a teacher of mine who says he was Kasai. That is the same thing as Luba if I am not mistakened. Very wonderful guy and very black conscious.

Hey, I actually had a teacher of mine who says he was Kasai. That is the same thing as Luba if I am not mistakened. Very wonderful guy and very black conscious.
Are you sure he was "Kasai" ? There is no "Kasai" ethnicity in the DRC. The Luba nation, people, or communities live in the Kasai, Shaba and Kivu Provinces of the DRC, in the southern and eastern parts of the country.

The Kasai Province doesn’t make you automatically Luba, because many small ethnic groups live there too..

Yes, the Luba people (or the Baluba) live in the southern Democratic Republic of Congo in the Kasaï and Shaba Provinces, but they are also in the eastern DR Congo in the Kivu Provinces. Overall, we are 18 % of the population. I think the Lubas live in Angola too..

The Kongo people (or Bakongo) are not the largest ethnic group! There are about 16%. They live in the central region of the DR Congo in the Bas Congo and the Bandundu Provinces. - Most of them live in the Republic of Congo (the country next door).

They are many ethnic groups in the DRC (more than 250), I am not familiar with each one! While we are all Bantu populations in Central Africa, we claim different ethnic stock and different creator ancestors.

But like I said the Kongo religion (nkissi or Palo Mayombe) include many of other Bantu peoples traditions: we all worship of the ancestors, the Great Spirit (God) and natural Spirits. I am cool with you as long you don’t praise Islam or Christianity because that is not our heritage and cultures.

I am proud of you to keep our traditions and the African gods alive in Amerikkka!

Sista,

As I have confirmed my strong ancestral connection to the Congo/Angola area, perhaps some of them may have been Luba. Who knows? Definitely, my respect and love for Africa and African peoples continues to gain strength each day. I love our traditions and would love to visit my ancestral areas to feel the 400 year disconnect become reconnected.

Blackbird

For Africans to live in the West while trying to maintain ancestral knowledge and spirituality is a real challenge! In Europeanized and Christianized schools in Congo we learn to reject whatever native culture we have. Yes, in big cites we learn to forget our ancestral ways. And in too many cases Western education will make our people think that our indigenous rituals are devilish or inspired by Satan! But even in capitals and major cities African traditions never disappear. It remains even if it overlaps the practice of the religious observance of Christianity or Islam. Culturally, the presence of indigenous identity is clearly evident, in the form of music and dance, the sense of esthetic, habits, etc. In Africa in general, the people still go to see the traditional healers (shaman) or the diviners to heal themselves or the community. People still accomplish sacrifice at sacred altars to the ancestors or spirit beings and pour libations. Every African group kept their tradition even if they don’t recognize it. It’s not because 'someone' doesn’t know their indigenous nature, language and ancestral rituals that they "don’t exist." Africa is the home of our ancestral spirits - period!

The indigenous belief of the Luba is that nature is the foundation of life. The Luba people think nature is the school where children must play and study. Our relationship to the natural world and its natural laws determines whether or not we are conscious. Therefore, the Luba custom in the villages is to organize rites of passages to see spiritual beings for young boys and girls. For Westerners the idea is absurd but for the Luba it’s an education. You have to take a special hallucinogen plant called the 'mbuti' that is used strictly for traditional ceremonies. Once we experience a number of psychedelic sensations we go in nature to look at a rock, a tree, a stream, a cloud, a flower, or the earth beneath our feet until the spirits inside these things reveal to you. An elder (someone very old one who is close to the Other World) will go there with us to make sure we execute our initiation properly.

I remember when I was 14 years old I went to the village with my father for the ritual initiation to see the mukississi. I was painted in red clay all over my body and the mbuti plant was given to me. We eat or drink the sour mbuti plant to change ordinary perception or the perception of the material world, because the spirits of nature live in the shadow. Nature place a thin veil over its true self and us, we must be able to align ourselves with this narrow perception for the spirits to manifest. An elder and I went to the forest, I chose to see the mukississi in a stream because I love water. I took a good look at the water and called on the spirit. Soon after, I saw 2 little boys with elongated faces and blue skin coming out the water. They look at me with excitement, I wasn’t scared. They spoke about our long history, about the Luba Kingdom, our destruction, European domination and the resurrection of the Luba people and Black Africa to come and then they vanished before my eyes. The mukississi were beautiful kids, with beautiful hairstyles, clothes and weapons. I think I encountered my ancestors form the Other World. I had no idea how long I was there listening to them, but I think a long time. After, I had fantastic visions and a feeling of wild freedom. For the Luba people this ceremony initiates adolescent into adulthood, the mbuti drug is given to allow us to "see" our ancestors, the gods and the spirits of the universe and the animals. It’s a fantastic journey.

Also, the Luba passage rite for young boys is circumcision. It’s the Luba tradition to circumcise the boys in collective ceremonies when they are between 10 and 12 years old, instead of in hospitals after birth. The circumcisions are held in summer months and the Luba tradition wants the circumcisions to be made with big ceremonies in festive atmospheres. The elders of the village determine a date for the feast. They invite relatives, friends and neighbors. Feasts take place in the center of the villages. People prepare a highly decorated shrine for the boys; food must be available, aromatic herbs and fresh drinks. In the morning of the feast, the boys are all taken at the shrine with a designated elder, and are circumcised by the shaman while the designated elder holds him. The elder who holds has to be somebody close to the boy, a grandparent in preference. The circumcision causes the boys a lot of pain and there will be a lot of blood but the boy will not be allowed to cry! They must forget the pain and after that they must participate in the festivities! My dad told me he nearly fainted but he remained conscious all day long to not shame our family. The community considered him brave, as well as the other boys who didn’t cry and forgot the pain.


Maybe this reply needs to be revisited

Brother anAfrican,

I am happy to see you understand and appreciate the tradition of the Luba people. Yes, it’s rooted in NATURE because the natural world serves and balances the environment and human needs! Without the village and without our elder’s ability to help us consult the Spirits for support and guidance what would happen to our indigenous traditions?

Unfortunately you won’t learn much about the Luba spirituality on the World Wide Web. The reason is our shamans recognize a close relationship between knowledge and secrecy. The shaman energy is available only in the village. To give the knowledge given to him by the Spirit to Westerners or Africans chained by the Western world is harmful. Every time I call my folks back home I face this issue, my quest for magical knowledge is almost impossible if I live in the Western world. However if you consult the Web you can learn our history and a moderate knowledge of our culture. At last, you will have to travel home to Africa and face the shamans there. They would be happy to teach you if you are going to do something good at home for them, for you and the world. The diviner to whom you will be subjected will know what you are seeking.


Sister River,

this speaks to the question of taking a vow of secrecy you alluded to.

There are many who maintain their traditional rites, religions and cultures while practicing islam/christianity, I personally believe the american blacks should create their own initiatory rites based on their own culture and expirences, like anywhere else in the world they have to start somewhere. I also believe they would have deeper meanings than adoption.

There are many who maintain their traditional rites, religions and cultures while practicing islam/christianity, I personally believe the american blacks should create their own initiatory rites based on their own culture and expirences, like anywhere else in the world they have to start somewhere. I also believe they would have deeper meanings than adoption.

Hey, Oba, nice to see you posting again, brother!

I agree with your statement... We've got to start somewhere, and as you said, we can infuse it with our own special meanings and feeling... Good idea!

Peace!
Isaiah