Ancestor Veneration In the New World
Let’s begin by explaining the difference between the New World and the Old World. As Africans born in America this is definitely a New World. While African Americans do in fact participate in many of the societal activities of this world called America it cannot be forgotten that Africa is their land of origin. Stolen from the land of the Ancestors, African descendant folks are caught between what is identifiable as culturally appropriate from the homeland to what is culturally appropriate in America. In addition, the term New World is a misnomer as this world existed in the heart, minds and souls of the indigenous people of this territory along side the culture of the Africans. To be sure the indigenous people held more in common with the African than the European invaders of this land.
To speak of ancient Ancestor Veneration, let it be known that the custom of acknowledging the Ancestors is not new at all. It has been shrouded in taboo and mystery and ordained paganism by the European when in fact they, Europeans have and continue to venerate their own Ancestors through a variety of means such as holidays, memorials, monuments, parades and masquerades to name a few. It is the ancient tradition of all peoples in the entire world to venerate the Ancestors.
Ancestors represent that step between man and God. They are the intermediaries who while in spirit can communicate as a gateway between earth and heaven. They are proclaimed for their valiant contribution during their sojourn on earth by the Earth people and are remember in daily activities. The elders of the community are highly respected as they are the closest to the Ancestors in the flesh. Through them come the wisdom of the ages. In ancient custom the elders are not cast aside but are given position of high regard as they finely represent that passage way to the world of the Ancestors. In modern times, the elders have lost much of their valued position and often sit idle with no opportunity so share the wealth of their knowledge.
It was practiced that the elders would remember the stories of the community and were vested with the responsibility of sharing this knowledge with the children. This would give reason to why they would so often grow in stature and respect, keeping their faculties much longer than their modern counterparts as they were able to fully utilize their mental capacity. In addition, the elders would sit in jurisdiction over the affairs of the community and would be called to meet out justice in cases brought before them. In some societies, it was even consider rude and inappropriate to look an elder directly in the eye or to speak to them in tones about a whisper. Much of the value for the elders and consequently the Ancestors, has been lost with the drive toward youthism, especially in Western Society.
With regard to the aforementioned circumstances, it becomes imperative for African Americans to openly and ritualistically venerate the Ancestors on a daily basis. Through this practice the link is rekindled allowing the Ancestors to travel on the path of this linkage from the spirit world thus affording a deeper appreciation for the living elders of modern communities.
Celebrating the Ancestors
As one undergoes the transition from lay people into the priesthood, the Initiate must start with the celebration of the Ancestors. Not only is it correct to give them honor, but the practicing of the Ancestor rituals will help to strengthen the for spiritual work. Giving tribute to the Ancestors opens the doors to their wisdom. Practiced ritual will enlighten the Initiate and further solidify the connection between the physical and spiritual worlds.
Who Are The Ancestors
Ancestors are considered those ones who once lived on the Earth but who have since passed, with death, into the Spirit realm. In addition, while they are no longer in the flesh they are inexorably connected to the loved ones they left behind and continue to influence, help and heal from their spirit position. They are considered living entities and in most cased more powerful in their new found role than when in the human flesh.
Often, a newborn is considered the reincarnation of an Ancestor, in which case they may be named after the Ancestor “who has returned.” There is ancient lore and superstition attached to this practice and even in modern times it has been know to be said that “This child has been here before.” Reincarnation is a universal belief and is inculcated in many of the ancient practices of people around the world. Through reincarnation, the human being is given the opportunity to continue learning the many life lessons that avail themselves and in fact is afforded an opportunity to amend mistakes of the past life/lives. Many believe that the innate talents that were not particularly learned in this life stem from a previous life/lives thus making one quite adept in their present life time. Others believe that each life is chosen so as to complete the life lessons most needed to fulfill the individual soul’s divine destiny.
Divine Hierarchy/Ancestors
Traditional societies had no issue in allotting the appropriate position for the entities that existed in their environment. The question of equality was a determination of the function of the entity rather than its position in the Hierarchy. That is, every entity in reality has it innate function that suggested its own particular role not to exclusion of the power or position of any other entity. Worth and value was attached to the level functioning of the entity as it fulfilled it role more so than where the entity played its role. Therefore if the entity is in a uppermost position in the Hierarchal scale yet performed negligently than it was then deemed inferior.
In keeping with this tradition, Ancestors fall within the Divine Hierarchy. (See chart.) This position is divided into sub-categories that represent the function of the Ancestor as it relates to its achievements while in the human form.
In describing the categories in which the various Ancestors fall, remember that it is the function of the role and not the position of the role that determine its power and worth.
1. Ascendant Ones - The Deceased: The ascendant ones are clearly anyone who has lived and died, or passed over to the other side. After this passage according to their function as human beings will determine their position in the Hierarchy. It must be noted that newborns who die shortly after birth are often considered souls who have decided to return or who have been pulled back to the other world. There may be various reasons for this return which can be divined to determine. It would be considered quite troublesome should this occur often in one family. Note that these young ones would not be considered Ancestors as such as they have not had an opportunity to contribute to the human society. However, there are cases when the young soul’s short life has impacted on the family/community so greatly that they would be graciously remembered. In some traditions a ritual would be done to insure the appropriate re-entry or reincarnation of that soul, while other customs would make sure that the return was forestalled.
2. Family Ancestors: The deceased in this category would be the beloved of the family. Anyone who has lived a substantial time and who for whatever reason have since passed. These Ancestors are remembered in daily prayers, reoccurring celebrations throughout the year and/or annual rituals. These Ancestors would be particularly remembered by the family from which they come and not necessarily by the community at large. Food, water and drink would be set aside for them as to foster a open channel between the ones left behind and the ones who have traveled to the other world. Examples, mother, father, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc.
3. Clan’s Ancestors. In smaller settings where the community is made up of a several families these Ancestors would represent the clan as such and be considered as the next group or category. Here you would only find the clan and/or extended families acknowledging them. Examples, great and/or great grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. Inclusive of the Clan Ancestors are the regional Ancestors who are particular to a certain region such as the Virgin de Guadeloupe in Mexico or Mother Katherine Drexel in the Philadelphia area.
4. National Ancestors: The deceased of this category would be members of the Nation who have made contributions that impacted on the lives of those in the Nation. Here annual Ceremonies would be conducted in an attempt to give them their rightful acknowledgment for their contributions.. It can be said that a group of clans would then have a National Ancestor. Since the system of clans is not practice in the Western world, most people would simply acknowledge National Ancestors.
5. International Ancestors: This category is added by license. In view of the emergence of world interaction leading to world history, that is a common history shared by the inhabitants of the whole world, individuals who received world acclaim would undoubtedly be in this category. Those individuals who have made contributions to the upliftment of humanity as a whole would be consider International Ancestors. Please note that as we ascend the ladder of Hierarchy, while the number of individuals may decrease the number of patriots increases conversely. Examples, Kwame Nkrumah, Malcolm X, Ghandi, Buddha, Prophet Muhammad, Mother Theresa, Princess Diana, etc.
6. Deified Ancestors: This category would afford the highest regard as these individuals have been lifted to the point of what could be familiarly called Sainthood. Oftentimes, miracles of healing and the like are attributed to these Ancestors. In some cultures they actually become legendary heroes and heroines and may have shrines, temples and worshipers attributed to them. At this high state of evolution the Ancestor has identified through its works on earth its Godhood, or divinity and has functioned beyond reproach. In other instances, these individuals are attributed with super human abilities while on the earth and after death. They are exemplar of the human experience and are considered next to God Almighty. Myths and legends are attached to their names along with various symbols and totems. These individuals are placated to help deter hardship in the community and/or bring wealth and posterity. Examples, Jesus Christ, Sango, Nana Esi, etc.
7. Guardian Spirits, Angels & Archangels: This category may or may not contain individuals who actually lived on the earth. It is believed that if they did they have evolved to the state of pure spirit and can no longer reincarnate though they can be channeled through trance or possessions. They have also been given major responsibilities by Almighty God in the sense that they often are guardians and protectorates of the forces of the universe, i.e., earth, water, air and fire. Essentially, they are not attached by physical bonds to the human being but are given the ultimate charge of caretaker of the needs of human beings. They are expected to be constant and always available for supplication. They too will have holidays, ceremonies, shrines and worshippers. In other instances guardian spirits may be from any of the other categories mentioned above. Any human being living on the earth can aspire to any of these positions in the heavens so to speak. The work and conscious effort of many incarnations would determine the ascension into the various categories.
A SPECIAL NOTE:
Note that destructive forces or counterproductive forces live in the universe as well. It is imperative to be aware of their power as well as understanding that it is not the power but its use that determines its worth and value. Destructive forces are integral to the functioning of the entire universe. Looking at the balance of opposites that effect the world it is important to understand that the concept of good and evil are all relative. In aligning oneself with the unseen it is imperative that this reality be acknowledge. Calling upon one’s Ancestors should be litany of prayers that secure the transfer of righteous and constructive energies. Those individuals who did not live upright lives, while they should be acknowledge should not be supplicated. In addition, those who have died violently should be properly put to rest before they are invoked as their souls are restless and could bring much unexpected harm if not interacted with properly.