In the first of an exclusive six-part series, Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka, spiritual leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement will provide practical insights into Afrikan Spirituality, within the context of the Afrikan life cycle. Subsequent parts of the series will take place on the first Monday of the month as follows: Part 2 – 5th Mosiah (Aug), Birth & Naming; Part 3 – 2nd September, Rites Of Passage; Part 4 – 7th October, Marriage; Part 5 – 4th November, Eldership; Part 6 – 2nd December, Death and Passing Over.
One of the key objectives the series is to convey Afrikan Spirituality as a lived, everyday experience – as originally conceived in the Motherland as well as what was strived for after been torn asunder from the Ancestral source. As Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka explains:
“Afrikan Spirituality is practiced by traditional groups in Afrika (misnomered ‘tribes’), e.g. Asanta, Yoruba, Igbo, Fante, Shona, Ndebele, Xhosa, Khamiu, Zulu, Masai, Kikuyu, Herero, etc. and spiritual revivalist movements born out of our liberation fight: Kumina, pocomania, Shango, Vodun, Rasta.”
The success of the Ancestral Voices franchise (1), the recent How to Practice African Spirituality for Beginners course run by the Centre Of Pan-African Thought (2) and the new book on Rastafari by Makonnen Sankofa (3) seems to indicate a heightened interest in Afrikan-centred spiritual forms, although this isn’t to say that the so-called Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) have stopped their pursuit of Black souls in Afrika or elsewhere (one report talks of “the future of religion in Britain is Islam and black majority churches”). (4) However, there are now at this juncture, visible and viable alternatives.
For his part, Bro. Ldr will bring over thirty years of spiritual practice to bear in presenting this series. Throughout this time, he has led Shumira (formerly Fellowship) the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement’s monthly communal worship. His emphasis has always been to make Afrikan Spirituality accessible, the governing ‘Livity’ of all Afrikan people.
There is a compelling logic to his approach, utilising ancestral concepts like ‘Natural Imperatives’ and ‘Cultural Imperatives.’ Natural Imperatives are compelling events in the life cycle determined by nature or Mwari (The Creator), such as conception, birth, growth and maturation and passing (death). Cultural Imperatives are compelling events in the life cycle that are determined by cultural tradition, for example naming, initiation marriage and passing over ceremonies.
Thus, the connection with the Divine, natural order of things is omnipresent, whether planning a wedding (5) or even planning a war, as the Haititian Revolution exemplifies (6)
This is why Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka affirms:
“Spirituality is the centre and foundation of Afrikan culture, the core of Afrikan consciousness and the the essence of the Afrikan personality.”
(1) Dellvin Roshon Williams (18/12/17) ‘Spirit Is Eternal’: A Conversation with Filmmakers Dalian and Verona Spence-Adofo https://intpolicydigest.org/2017/12/18/spirit-eternal-depth-conversation-filmmakers-dalian-verona-spence-adofo/
(2) Centre Of Pan-African Thought (14/01/18) How to Practice African Spirituality for Beginners. https://www.panafricanthought.com/event/how-to-practice-african-spirituality-for-beginners/
(3) Makonnen Sankofa (2019) The Rise Of Rastafari: Resistance, Redemption & Repatriation. Peaches Publications.
(4) Ruth Gledhill (09/02/2015) Future of religion in Britain is Islam and black majority churches. http://www.christiantoday.com/article/future.of.religion.in.britain.is.islam.and.black.majority.churches/47716.htm?email=1; Richard Reddie (05/10/2009) Why are black people turning to Islam? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2009/oct/05/black-muslims-islam.
(5) Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka (2005) King and Queen Joined in Divine Conjugal Union. The Whirlwind, Edition 1
(6) Jacob Carruthers (1985) The Irritated Genie. The Kemetic Institute. pp. 22-9.
we ask the question:
What is Afrikan Spirituality?
1) Is there really renewed interest in Afrikan Spirituality?
2) Can Afrikan Spirituality be a viable alternative to the so-called Abrahamic religions?
3) Or is the “future” Islam and Christianity?
4) How do you live a spiritual life?
Our Special Guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. Bro. Ldr is a renowned Afrikan-Centered Education Consultant and educator and is a veteran activist of over 30 years standing. He is a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Guide To Excellence.