Vodun and Ones Capacity to Forgive For about a week, or so, there has been a post, that came across my news feed, that made me hot under the collar. The post, obviously, was a good one because it was shared on several forums; and, at least on two occasions, I responded. The poster is a friend; and, has every right to give his opinion. But this thing simply will not leave me; so, I decided to write about it. The subject was about Africans, who themselves, captured and sold slaves during the transatlantic slave era and the posters complaint that diasporans had to, now, go and pay for what was theirs in the first place...initiations/ceremonies and spiritual work in general. The historical facts are there. One cannot dispute them. My ancestors, the Dahomeans, for instance, were notorious in the slave trade. They made war on their neighbors, took captives, the women they would marry or keep and the men would be sold to the slaver for cannons, guns and anything else they sought of value. Normally these captives would have been killed annually; but, they were convinced, by those dealing in the slave trade, that selling them was much more economically feasible. My response to this post was that it was impossible for the Africans to have known what would happen to the slaves once they were sold. Domestic slavery, for the black Africans, was very different from that which happened in the diaspora. In many instances slaves were treated as family members. Those who were sold, in most instances, were war captives; and, whether the Africans understood what would happen, to them, or not these were the spoils of war in an era that we, today, cannot begin to understand. Many others, as was my ancestor, was captured while hunting or roaming in the forest or going about their everyday lives. My first reaction, to this post, was visceral. Even though valid the post made me feel a sense of betrayal. I knew that if I was annoyed the ancestors were livid! As African Americans we must develop the capacity for forgiveness. I am not saying that our history and our experiences with slavery, or racism in America for that matter, is to be forgotten. By no means can we forget or neglect to teach our children the good, the bad and the ugly of our history. But, if we do not develop a capacity to forgive we will never be able to go forward as a people. Stewing in the pain of past hurts, injustices and wrongs immobilizes us from the promises of a better future. We do not know the mind of the Creator when this forced migration was put in place. Because of it, those of African descent encase the entire globe; yet, we do not know, exactly, why these things happened the way that they did. Yes, it has been mans inhumanity to man that underpins this great tragedy; but, what has been the underlying spiritual reasons if any? We simply do not know... Those Africans, who lived during those very tumultuous times, have been long since dead. And, if they were wrong have been admonished, according to each mans deeds, by the divine. So, who, now, are we to not see it (our history), acknowledge it, make peace with it and move on? These very Africans are our present-day ancestors; and, they have been interceding for us with the divinities for eons. Can we not, therefore, have the capacity to forgive their former transgressions? These ancestors who are our first line of defense when something goes wrong in our lives, who raise up mightily against our enemies, who beg the divinities on our behalf and do so much more. We want to point fingers? No, my friends this is not good. Dig into that history if you must, go read books on the Africans perspective if you must; but, do not sit around pointing fingers and making comments against the very ones who are trying, daily, to help you have a more prosperous and fulfilling life. They were human beings, they lived and they made mistakes as we do today. Have the capacity to forgive and move on. Having to pay for services, rendered, for ceremonies and spiritual work in general. Really folks...really? For ceremonies, in Africa, those involved, the vodunsi, drummers, cooks, those who prep the animals for sacrifice, Priests, in attendance, and others. take off from their jobs to serve the spirits and participate in these ceremonies. The sacrificial animals, alone, are expensive. A medium sized white bull was over $1,000 the last time I checked. African Vodun...original Vodun...doesnt deal in just chickens. Bulls, goats, large rams, forest animals, and fowls of all kinds are used. The sacrifice is particular to the Vodun that the ceremony is for. These animals must be prepped, slaughtered and prepared for the Voduns, as well as, the people in attendance. Drummers must be paid and the vodunsi must be tipped something for their services. Any invited Priests/Priestesses and their vodunsi fed as well as those already there. Suffice it to say that these ceremonies are labor intensive, with drumming, dancing, spirits riding the vodunsi so as to communicate with the people and/or leave messages for the person sponsoring the ceremony. So, all of this is to be done for free because you happen to be of African descent? In what universe? My prayer is that we understand that without the capacity for forgiveness we can become stagnant in our dislike or hate for the other. The incapacity to forgive fosters disrespect, in some cases racism and all manner of bad things. As a young girl the very first Bible verse I ever memorized was Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV), 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Lets get over it folks! Lets get over the pains of the past and reach for the future...
Posted on: Sun, 30 Mar 2014 05:31:41 +0000