Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka delivered a message on April 6th 6265 (2025) entitled, “Shumira; The Freeing of the Afrikan Mind and Soul.” In it he built on the presentation by Bro ShakaRa at the corresponding event last month. (1) He explained that the motto of Shumira is “Freedom begins with the freeing of the mind and soul” and was the first programme of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement upon its founding in 1987. It was established within the framework of Alkebu-Lan Livity, defined as “Living according to the divine teachings and traditions of our mother culture.” But after advancing such lofty ideals, attention needs to focused on the “how?, how to achieve, to manifest these ideals.”
Using the Ausar-Ausetian drama as a point of departure in which the key narrative was of how the body of Ausar was re-membered by Auset after being dismembered by Set. Thus, the objective of Afrikan Spirituality since then (at least) is to remember Afrikan people, i.e. re-connect us with our true essence, our true selves and “rescue and reconstruct our Afrikan spiritual cultural traditions.” One way to begin to do this is through the “repeated practice” of ritual, something the enemies of Afrikans are cognisant of and manifest pervasively, even if not calling it such.
He almost lamented the extent to which Afrikan people in other faiths are excited about their religious affiliation, often to a greater extent than Afrikan spiritualists, even though their conduct bears so many hallmarks of the Afrikan essence, albeit in the “wrong vessel.” He then issued the challenge that he is loathe to criticise these family members to vigourously, lest we demonstrably have something more compelling to offer. In fact, there may even be things we can learn from them.
Bro. Ldr offered Shumira as one such vehicle to effect the re-membering of Afrikan people, reminding us that every element is designed to connect us to that essence. He asserted that we need to reclaim the concepts of “sacred time, sacred space, sacred objects and the sacred names of sacred Ancestors.” It is spirituality, he suggests that should be driving our politics, our intellectualism and our militancy and as such we needs spaces where we can be free in spirit, as “no one can chain a free spirit.”
Shumira then can be seen as sacred time and space, to ritualise and build community as the ultimate of re-membering, as declared by our Kemetic Ancestors:
“I am the Great One, the son of a Great One. I am the Fiery one, the son of the Fiery one, whose head was restored to him after it had been cut off. The head of Ausar, the Risen Saviour, is not taken from him and my head shall not be taken from me, I have risen up and knitted myself together. I have made myself whole. I renew myself and grow young again. I am one with Ausar, Lord of Eternity.” (2)
(1) ShakaRa Mbandaka (23/03/25) SPRING EQUINOX: The Body of Ausar • The Mind of Auset. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaxkwK3ryyU
(2) Maulana Karenga (1989) Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt. University of Sankore Press. p. 108
How Can Shumira Free Our Minds and Souls?
1) How do rituals function, why do they matter?
2) What currently is sacred to Afrikan people?
3) Can Afrikan Spiritualists learn from Afrikans in other faiths?
4) Is spirituality really the right foundation for our nation building?
Our Special Guest:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and an Afrikan-Centred Education Consultant. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 40 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Approach To Excellence.