Don't Tell Me You Missed It!

May 20th has come and gone and the most wondrous Ancestor Celebration was hosted by Keepers of the Way at the Spirit filled Omenala Griot African Teaching Museum. Don't tell me you missed it!!!

Well if you missed it, your chance will come again next year but let's talk about some of the things that did happen. The day began with a libation with the priests and volunteers as we set up and prepared for the celebration. As we organized the venue a rising spirit of anticipation took over. It was the hard work of Oyanike that pulled together the volunteers

It always brings joy to the heart to see Afrikan people working together in positive unity and harmony. To add to that feeling, the thought of honoring, elevating, singing, praising and experiencing our Ancestors was simply wonderful.

 

As the event began, we gathered in our workshops. Song, dance and music were combined together. The Spirit Workshop talked about the basics of Ancestor Reverence at home. And I cannot forget the children's workshop because the children made ancestral masks from various Afrikan ethnic groups. The children even came before the group and showed their masks. Props should be given to 'Fafunmilayo for working with the children and giving them an opportunity to participate.

 
The workshops were followed by a round table where we Senegalese,  Pape Niang and Haitian Vodoun practitioner,Nana De, talked to us about how their traditions honor ancestors. There was time for questions before we moved into the celebration.

Iya Alajoye Sangofemi performed the libation and the "party" started. We began with two Akan songs led by Nana Kofi Ampon.  From there we continued with Yoruba (diaspora version) songs. Spirit was called and Spirit came and from the experience, participants accessed their own blood line, their own DNA and traveled with the Ancestors of all who were present.