Libation

Spirit of Kwanzaa and Genna Celebration 07/01/2012 & 08/01/2012

Give thanks one and all for allowing me/us (InI) to share this moment with you.
It is both an honour and a pleasure, however before I/We (InI) proceed I/We (InI) would like to ask permission to speak from an elder in the congregation,
this is in keeping with the traditions of our ancestors.
I/We (InI) greet you all in the names of the King of Kings, H.I.M. Emperor Haile Selassie the first and H.I.M. Empress Menen.

I/We (InI) also greet you in the name of the dieties of Mama Afrika (Alkebulan) known by many names, some of which are:

1. Ngai (Massai)
2. Mwari (Shona)
3. Nyadenga (Shona)
4. Musikavanhu (Shona)
5. Amlak (Ethiopia)
6. Igzabieher (Ethiopia)
7. Nyame (Ashanti)
8. Asase Ya (Ashanti)
9. Nana Buluku (Dahomey)
10. Chukwu (Igbo)
11. Anyanwu (Igbo)

What is Libation?

Traditionally veneration of the ancestors is an important part of Afrikan life. This was a way of reminding all
members of the community that, no matter how great you may be,
others that came before prepared the way and must therefore be honoured for so doing.
Thus the Afrikan maxim is "I am, because we are and since we are therefore I am."
This form of value system makes us each and every one of us responsible for each other and asks us to make our personal life choices with this in mind.

Names for the creator in Afrikan Traditions

We have been led to believe, wrongly that Afrikans before christianity had no overstanding of the one god concept.
We were also taught that Afrikans prayed to inanimate objects (idolatry). As more and more of us have taken the time to study
our ancient traditions and to look within ourselves and talk to that spirit which resides with us, we have come to
see the depth of our ancestors wisdom. The ancients from Nubia, Kush, Kemet to Shona,
from Yoruba, Igbo to Ashanti ask us first to know ourselves "Man/Woman know Thyself" and in so doing hidden knowledge and wisdom will be handed unto thee.

We, therefore, overstand now that the many names for the creator on the continent of Alkebulan
do not necessarily denote many creators, but rather many attributes and languages.
The pouring of libation is to invoke the spirit of the ancestors, to pay homage
to them for their endeavours and sacrifices. It is also to ask them to join us in our gatherings and share in our celebrations.
The ritual of libation is conducted by pouring water, palm wine or spirits on the earth and
calling the names of those ancestors that we know of by name and
those whose names are now forgotten to incline their ears also. The reason we have forgotten many names is because of the
Maafa (Our Great Tribulation), which tore us away from our cultural mores and traditions, which outlawed our names and
deemed our spiritual practises as evil and demonic. Thus we pour libation to reclaim our way of life.
Within the Rastafari community, particularly the NyahBinghi, the tabenacle and the burning fire which is kept alight during the ritual is a
burnt offering and symbolic of the libation, metaphorically.

The Caribbean elders always cooked extra food at meal times, this also is a form of libation,
inviting the unseen ones to dine with us, thus sharing in our good fortune.

We ask you to join with us in the pouring of libation in order to open these proceedings.
For those who may still feel wary about the ritual, we point you to the King James Bible Genesis 35:14 where Jacob after travailling (fighting)
with God and then conversing with H.I.M. performs a ritual and I quote:
"...Jacob set up a pillar in the place where he talked with him, even a pillar of stone:
and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon." end quote. Whilst not wanting to labour the point, Isaiah 53:12, says when speaking of the lamb which was slaughtered i.e. The Christ:
"...he hath poured out his soul unto death ...and made intercession for the transgressors."
Theologians have claimed this is a metaphor for the pouring of libation, I leave you to judge.
Last, but not least the first book of Matthew starts: " The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Then goes on to list every male ancestor of the Christ and some female ones. Thus before one word is spoken about Jesus the names of all those that made it possible for he to have been born are listed chronologically.