Libation- An African epistemology of Life.
Why do African cultures pour water libation?
There are many reasons.
Cultural, Spiritual, Philosophical, and Customary.
I have attached some links below and a book that delves into this topic from an informed perspective.
For the purpose of this conversation, I would like to share my understanding of the ancient principle behind it. Feel free to chime in below with yours.
As always, I welcome your thoughts and insights.
In today's world, libation is connected mainly with pouring the pouring of liquor into the ground. In ancient times libation came in a wider variety of forms such as the pouring of water, milk, oil, honey, and even grain into the earth.
I believe that before liquor took center stage, the practice of libation started with the pouring of water into the earth and I would like to lean into the significance of water for libation.
Why did Africans pour water as a libation to the earth and in memory of their loved ones?
First of all, Water is life.
The human body is made up of 70% water,
Water is a powerful force of creation
The breaking of the waters often heralds the entry of new life into the world
Water holds memory. It is a purifying and life-giving force There is no life without water. Many African cultures were cognizant of this, hence the numerous African rain dances and water ceremonies.
A deep appreciation and reverence for water was cultivated by our African ancestors and they infused it into their world sense, spirituality and philosophy.
Thus the essence of Libation in its earliest and purest form was in the pouring of water into the ground, to nurture what the ancients referred to as mother earth
This pouring of water symbolized the pouring of life-giving force into the earth, and it was their way of expressing their value for preserving current life and creating new life.
Libation in honor of our ancestors.
Why do Africans pour Libation when a person dies?
One of the many reasons is to honor those that have transitioned by introducing new life, where death has occurred.
A fundamental difference between the African and the Eurasian worldsense is that Afrikan cultures and epistemologies have historically demonstrated a deeper respect and value for LIFE.
This isn't based on opinion, a historical audit of which cultures have roamed the globe pillaging and enacting mass genocide, theft, and colonization will confirm this.
Our African ancestor's respect for life is evident in the way they honored their dead and incorporated new life into burial rituals and ceremonies by way of water libation.
When flowers are used for burial ceremonies, they are dismembered from their life-giving roots, and in so doing death is offered unto death.
Incorporating water libations into burial ceremonies is honoring those who have transitioned, and showing respect to mother earth.
Rather than consumption and destruction, water is introduced into the earth and new life is initiated, the seeds and the soil are impregnated with life-giving waters, and new life is offered.
On a deeper level, the pouring of libations represents growth, reverence, new life, and the nurturance of the earth.
As African people, we may have forgotten the significance behind the practice of water libation due to communal amnesia from the onslaught and erasure of our connections to our ancestral heritage, but this practice has persevered and traveled down our epigenetic memory lines to continue in many contemporary manifestations at home and abroad.
The use of libations in Hip-hop culture is one example.
I was also very pleasantly surprised to learn that some churches today such as the Unity Fellowship Church of Baltimore incorporate indigenous African practices such as the pouring of libation.
Bringing it home:
The erasure and diminishment of African indigenous knowledge systems and epistemologies is like a global pandemic.
We must first seek to understand before we hastily condemn, exchange, and do away with our indigenous knowledge systems and practices in the quest for universalism and acceptance.
Our ancestors were wise and embedded in their ancient practices, rituals, culture, and ceremonies lie fountains of wisdom for us to glean from.
Aṣẹ!
Call to action:
Your turn. Share your agreements or disagreements in the comments.
Invite others into the conversation.
It helps us grow as a learning community and it lets me know, I am not talking to myself :-)
In Community,
Tamkara
Interesting Links:
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Libation-Afrikan-Ritual-Heritage-Circle-ebook/dp/B019ELQGV2/ref=sr_1_1?
https://heartacheandpaint.com/Libation
http://grandmotherafrica.com/why-africans-pour-libation-aliens-dont/
https://www.africaspeaks.com/reasoning/index.php?topic=3066.0
http://www.ufcb.org/libation.html
https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/05/style/an-old-ritual-goes-black-tie.html#:~:text=The%20libation%20ritual%2C%20as%20interpreted,tie%20events%20like%20film%20premieres.
I am so glad I started following you a few years back. You have thought me so much about my ancestors and heritage that whiteness have erased!