Libations: Remembering Those On Whose Shoulders We Stand

In our ancient and Afrikan tradition of communalism, cooperation and collectivity, we open with Libation.  By pouring Libations, we recognize all who have gone before and on whose shoulders we today stand and are obligated.. With one person pouring water, the substance of life, onto the ground or a plant, we all participate by responding in an Afrikan tongue, in essence saying, "so be it, it is done."   We say it in an Afrikan tongue to reclaim and reconstruct our person/peoplehood, our Goddess/God given humanity...far more important and superior to the accident of our "citizenry" or place of birth.  It can be said in Yoruba ( A shea), Akan (Ya al),  Meta Netu ( Hotep ), Zulu ( Ye Bo ), or any Afrikan language of which you may have knowledge.  "Amen" is also  an ancient Afikan (Khemet/Egyptian) word commonly used, but it's Afrikan origin is unrecognized.  Amen of Ammon was Egyptian, a solar deithy, he personified the sun after it had descended below the western horizon and thus hidden from sight.  Call and response, we do it in our churches and conversations all the time. 

By Dr. Leonard Jefferies

Educator, Author, Historian and Africanist

Heaven for a Thug?: Why Libation and Young Warriors Don't Mix

Since as long as anybody can remember, young brothers have been pouring out liquor on the street corner for their fallen friends, young men that have died from gang violence, disease, police violence and drug wars.

This act of Libation has spawned a popular aspect of Hip Hop, where young people now pay homage to fallen "street soldiers" which inevitably pushed the question, "Is there a Heaven for a G ( gangster )?" A guestion that young warriors have already answered with some common notions such as " Only God can judge me"  and " Thugs Paradise"

Ahoofe Ntua Ka