Libation part 2 continues

 Nana Amponsah: “ We call upon our ancestors  long gone-Awo Amma OboAtaa, Nana Kofi Asare, Nana Ampem Darkoh, Awo Abena Obiyaa, and Awo Adwoa Oforiwaa- to protect this child.”

Audience: “Wie, wie, wie”

  Nana Amponsah: “ Let him be strong and healthy and wise and wealthy. “

Audience: “ Wie, wie, wie “

Nana Amponsah: “ Let all  his enemies perish. Let all his enemies be ashamed. Let all his enemies suffer.”

Audience: “ Wie, wie, wie “

Nana Amponsah: Grant him a long life of peace, prosperity, and plenty.”

Audience: “ Wie, wie, wie “

After each utterance, Nana Amponsah poured the schnapps unto the floor slowly, methodically, spiritually, and reverently until the glass was completely empty.

The audience  responded in unison with: “ Thank you, Nana Kofi Amponsah, for your gracious and eloquent prayer.” 

        Bibliography: For further information about Libation, please consult the following books.

NEHUSI, Kimani SK:  Libation: An African Ritual of Heritage in the circle of life.

A comprehensive analysis of libation, with emphasis on its origins, structure, purpose, meaning and significance,

RASHIDI, Runoko: IT’s Libation Time: A Children’s Guide to the Ancestors.

Understanding libation and its purpose.  Also by RASHIDI: The Global Journey In Search of the African Presence



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do They Know It is Christmas Time?

 I always listen to Christmas music in December. I did so in 2023. One particular song caught my attention. That’s why I am blogging about it. On Sunday, 24th November 1984, a group of famous musicians gathered in London and recorded “. Do They Know It Is Christmas Time” to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. While the philosophy behind the entire project is noble, and noteworthy, some parts of the lyrics is not commendable. I am particularly sad and disturbed about that part of the lyrics that question whether they “ Do they know it is  Christmas Time?”. With all due respect, Ethiopians, and the Coptic Church has had a long  Christian tradition since the First Century. It was said that some of the Apostles brought the Christian religion to Ethiopia after the Resurrection. Some Coptic priests even claim that the Arc of the Covenant is in Ethiopia. I once saw a program on television whereby  Ethiopian Coptic Christians traveled several miles from their rural ou...
Read more

The Colored School in the City of Paterson, NJ. 1855-1873

 Today’s blog has been culled from my Africana scrap album. It is  a short history of a school for Black children in the City of Paterson, New Jersey, which operated from 1855 to 1873. In January 1855, a colored school was established, Miss Eliza M. Hasted being the first Principal- a position she retained for nearly twenty years, or until the school was disbanded. The sessions were held for a few months in the Godwin Street ( colored) M.E. Church; then in the Goetschius schoolhouse in Division street, when the East Ward school vacated those premises. In September, 1857, it was removed to Clinton street schoolhouse. The location was so remote as to create much complaint from the parents of the children, and with good reason.  At length, in 1873, the Board of Education bought for $4,000, four lots in Godwin street, south side, between Washington and Bridge, for a new edifice. But December 27, 1872, the Board had voted that the colored children would attend the schools in t...
Read more