Who We Are

Who We Are: "We are a collaboration of families of African Traditional practitioners coming together to venerate our Ancestors for the perpetual healing of our communities."

About our favicon: Fawohodie, an adinkra symbol meaning the "symbol of independence, freedom, emancipation". From the expression: Fawodhodie ene obre na enam. Literal translation:
"Independence comes with its responsibilities."

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

The Purpose of Keepers of the Way

Keepers of the Way is a collaboration of families of African traditional practitioners coming together for the perpetual healing of our communities. It was never our intention that KOW would be associated with our Ile. It is not OUR event. It is a community event that is for elevation of our community through elevation and connecting to ancestors.  At first, there was participation by many people but little by little this participation waned. We do not know why and no one has bothered to say.

Now it is time to be more specific about what our Vision means in literal terms.

What does the perpetual healing of our community mean? Not only is it important that we remember immediate family ancestors but also those who came long before our limited memory allows. It means that we believe that connecting to our ancestors, helps us to overcome the many issues that plague our communities throughout the world. 




What are some of these issues? We seem to be caught up in fascination with the negative, expecting betrayal, thinking the worst of each other. Why is it that even in a spiritual community, we find that we cannot support or work with others? Why is there so much competition instead of collaboration? 

These are not the foundations of the cultures of our ancient ancestors. These may be the attitudes and actions that contributed to community weakness that ultimately led to our enslavement. We are all aware of the "Divide and Conquer" strategy that has been used to dominate us down and yet we, who understand this concept,  practice it with each other. Ayi Kewi Armah says, "there is indeed a great force in the world, a force spiritual and able to shape the physical universe, but that force is not something cut off, not something separate from ourselves. It is an energy in us, strongest in our working, breathing, thinking, together as one people..." (2000 Seasons, p. 96)

These are the issues that we must address in the first instance. How can we help those who are isolated, abused, addictive, violent, afraid, lost when we cannot even resolve the problems within and among us? When is a truce called? When do we stand up and say we will work to resolve our misunderstandings as well as those things done  in the past without forethought or compassion? Our ancestors and ancestral rituals can bring us to this level of understanding and healing. Are we not ready to heal our community? Are we not ready to speak the truth? Are we not ready to mend and heal past hurts? Do we not believe in the power of our ancestors to assist in this process?

1 comment:

  1. We must continue with self healing. It all starts there. As I heal, so in return it trickles out to my family, friends, colleagues and community. Heal us Ancestors. There is no us without you. Ire-Ase.

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