This Academic presentation was delivered in 2018 at The Black Cultural Archives, London, as part of Robin Walker’s “West African Kingdoms Course”. It was added as a supplement to shed more insight into the Ancestral Knowledge systems that informed these ancient Empires culturally, socially, economically and politically, even as reflected today across communities in Contemporary Africa.
Especially suitable for those interested in comparative Religions and Theologies.
Part 1 explores the Cosmological Philosophies that informed West Africans’ sacred concepts. It takes an in-depth look at the sacred relationship particularly to Land and its connection to Family and Divinity. It explores Matriarchal systems and how it has informed(s) familial, political and social organisation. It also covers the Forces of Nature as Archetypes of Knowledge for edifying societal norms and personality traits.
Where appropriate and relevant, similar concepts and ideas found further afield in other communities across other parts of Africa are also identified and syncretised to provide a wider, comprehensive perspective.
Part 2 explores the Cosmological practices that evolved from West Africans’ sacred concepts. It explores Invocation practices and the sacred science of Energy and Frequencies that underpin them; from Drumming, Singing and Dancing to Ancestral Reverence.
It takes an in-depth look at the sacred mainstay ritual of Libation and its significance from Ancient times to the Modern Day and what makes it so special and important as a recurring and largely unchanged ritual throughout time.
Where appropriate and relevant, similar concepts and ideas found further afield in other communities across other parts of Africa are also identified and syncretised to provide a wider, comprehensive perspective.