#africantraditionalreligions

[a-black-witch-wears-white]

Types of Metals

I want to discuss a few of the types of metals that are used spiritually. I’m currently studying a tactic that it is important to know the spiritual characteristics of metals for performance. Let’s take a look.. IRON (Mars/Fire)Iron is aggressive as most things governed by Mars. It has anti-magical properties that are popularity used in cemeteries and prisons to contain those with magical…

[blacktourmalinetarot]

For those that use spell powders in their work (for doorways, mojo bags, foot track magic etc)

What are some that have really become a staple in your practice ?

Mine are..

•Fiery wall (protection)

•Sweetening powder

•Road opening powder

If you don’t use spell powders what are you most interested in incorporating into your practice?

[theafromystic]

Happy #FullMoon #LunarEclipse in #Gemini, conjurers #8THHOUSEOIL up today). One thing I have always said and will always say about the #HOODOO tradition is that we don't have to "believe" in anything that doesn't account for itself in the natural world...and im sure other #AfricanTraditionalReligions carry that same understanding. . . . We don't live by fear. We live by REALITY. Trusting in what you see with your eyes, ears, etc. If it looks like "woo-woo", and sounds like woo, its probably woo, boo. . . . Please know that eclipses aren't death sentences or inherently inauspicious times. They do invoke awe, inspiration, and the awareness of divine movement, but fear about whether or not to "charge your crystals" today is not a terror we should spend our precious time worrying about. . . . Whether you plan on chillin' or drillin' during these eclipses 😜, let these celestial events remind you of your inherent oneness with the divine, the dead, the living, and all the various powerful kingdoms of this existence. Start there, and you'll end up doing exactly what you need to do; nothing more, nothing less. . . . #Rootwork #Conjure #Ancestors #MamiWata#Mermaids #MamanDlo #Njuzu #WaterSpirits #Vodou#Voodoo #africanreligion #Blackwomen #blitches#blackwitches #blitchesofinstagram #AfricanSpirituality#Blackspirituality #Juju https://www.instagram.com/p/CIOjU9KM8QN/?igshid=1hina3ch7ln8d

[ancestralvoices]

Things are changing but the negative perceptions that surround this subject are largely fuelled by its misrepresentation in the media. . How many positive representations can you name vs negative ones? . Ancestral Voices Learning Resources dedicated to preserving information on African Spiritual Philosophies and practices free from religious and colonial propaganda. See bio link for info on our work which includes documentaries, books and courses. . . #spiritualdepiction #propaganda #negative #positive #blackmagic #juju #obeah #voodoo #obeah #haveyounoticed #representation #representationmatters #meme #mediarepresentation #memes moana #atr #africanspirituality #africantraditionalreligion #africantraditionalreligions https://www.instagram.com/p/B61BWBbnjZQ/?igshid=yf3zb2dvbdi3

[spiritroots]

African Traditional Religions

I see a lot of references to and posts about Vodou and Santería online, but there are so many more African traditional religions (ATRs) that almost never get discussed! For anyone of African descent who wants to learn more about the diverse set of African-based traditions around the world, here’s a still incomplete but much longer list. If any information is incorrect, message me.

AFRICAN RELIGIONS & CULTURAL APPROPRIATION

🔴Closed  |  🔶Semi-Closed/Initiatory  |  ✅Open

The vast majority of ATRs are semi-closed/initiatory, meaning that you cannot fully engage with and practice the religion without being initiated into it or at least joining an in-person community of initiated practitioners. Some of these communities will choose to initiate people regardless of their ancestry or race and some will not. The only way to find out is to respectfully find a community of practitioners and ask about the possibility, but if the answer is no then it’s no. If you are a part of the culture and/or have a significant amount of heritage from the group that developed the religion, it’s okay to worship/interact so long as you do so in a way that’s appropriate for non-initiates. If you aren’t initiated, aren’t a part of the culture, and don’t have any heritage related to it, please treat it as a completely closed religion!

RASTAFARI 

➡ Abrahamic, monotheistic, originated in Jamaica

🔴Closed religion, must be of African descent to practice

An Abrahamic spirituality that developed in Jamaica during the 1930′s, Rastas don’t refer to their faith as a religion or “-ism” because that would be contrary to its core ideas. They worship one God, whom they call Jah, and many regard Haile Selassie, the former emperor of Ethiopia, as a messiah. As an Afrocentric movement, Rastafari focuses on the African diaspora and the oppression of black people in Western societies. They refer to Western Society as Babylon and Ethiopia or Africa as a whole as the Promised Land of Zion. Smoking cannabis, wearing dreadlocks, and living naturally are all a part of livity, which is what they call the Rasta lifestyle and sacred practices.

YORUBA IFÁ 

➡ Indigenous, shamanism, diffused monotheism, originated in West Africa

🔶Initiatory for everyone, partially open only to those of African descent

A form of West African indigenous shamanism. Many thousands of years ago, the Yoruba people of West Africa (primarily in Nigeria) developed an oral tradition and sacred literature called Ifá, which through the slave trade would become the origin of many diasporic ATRs around the world. Worship of the orishas as well as olorisha, babalawo, and iyalawo/iyanifa all come from the Yoruba people’s Ifá traditions in West Africa. The orishas are spirits of nature representing certain personalities and divine powers of the one supreme deity Olodumare. Though many people in the US practice Santería, there are also plenty who choose to practice Ifá traditions the Yoruba way and even fly to Nigeria to be initiated by Yoruba priests.

SANTERÍA/LUCUMÍ 

➡ Afro-Cuban, Catholic syncretism, shamanism, diffused monotheism

🔶Initiatory for everyone, partially open only to Africana/Latinx people

Also called La Regla de Ocha (”Way of the Saints”), Santería developed as a distinct Afro-Cuban religion when the slave trade brought many Yoruba people practicing Ifá traditions to Cuba. Those Yoruba descendants in Cuba became the Lucumí people, who developed their own version of the religion syncretized with Catholicism. Most slaves were forced to practice Catholicism, and so pretending to worship saints was a survival tactic to preserve ancestral traditions in a new form. Santería is still widely practiced in Cuba, the US, and many other parts of the world.

PALO

➡ Afro-Cuban, Catholic syncretism, animism

🔶Initiatory for everyone, partially open only to Africana/Latinx people

Also called Las Reglas de Congo (”Ways of the Congo”), Palo is another Afro-Cuban religion with several different denominations including Monte, Mayombe, Briyumba, and Kimbisa. While many ATRs are derived mostly from West African traditions, Palo's roots are in Central Africa and the Congo Basin. Developed by the ancestors of many Kongo slaves brought to Cuba, Palo's liturgical language is a mix of Spanish and Bantu languages called habla Congo or lengua. Palo Cristiano are practitioners who syncretize with Catholicism and Palo Judio are those who do not. The Kimpungulu and Zambi are worshipped not orishas.

CANDOMBLÉ 

➡ Afro-Brazilian, Catholic syncretism, shamanism, diffused monotheism

🔶Initiatory for everyone, partially open only to Africana/Latinx people

An Afro-Brazilian faith derived from Yoruba Ifá traditions as well as Fon and Bantu practices. The way Santería developed in Cuba out of Yoruba Ifá practices through the slave trade is very similar to how Candomblé became a distinct religion in Brazil. Like Santería, Candomblé is also blended with Catholicism, using saints as covers for the worship of African deities. Some noticeable differences between Santería and Candomblé include the orisha Nana Buruku and unique Brazilian terminology and spellings (i.e. orixa).

WEST AFRICAN VODOU

➡ Indigenous, shamanism, diffused monotheism, originated in West Africa

🔶Initiatory for everyone, partially open only to African descent

Acceptable spellings of Vodou include Vodun, Vodon, Vodoun, Vodou, and Voudou (not “voodoo”). It is the traditional religion of many West African cultures including the Fon, Ewe, and Kabye peoples. Vodou has many similarities to Yoruba Ifá in that spirits called the loa or lwa similar to orishas are worshipped who represent the natural divine powers of one supreme deity called Mawu or Mahu similar to Olodumare. Some loa and orishas are similar or even nearly identical, but Vodou beliefs and practices with the loa are very different and particular to the religion’s traditions. West African Vodou also spread through the slave trade around the world and became the originating religion for many diasporic traditions. It is possible to travel to Benin or other countries to be initiated into Vodou by an Africa priest or priestess, so West African Vodou is practiced primarily in West Africa but also worldwide.

GLOBAL DIASPORIC VODOU RELIGIONS

➡ Haitian Vodou, Dominican Vudú, Cuban Vodú, Brazilian Vodum

🔶Initiatory for everyone, partially open only to Africana/Latinx people

As listed above, West African Vodou spread around the world and developed into many different diasporic traditions just as Santería and Candomblé developed from Yoruba Ifá traditions. The most well-known diasporic branch is Haitian Vodou, where the religion’s formation by African slaves in Haiti also played a role in helping liberate the nation from French colonial rule. However, Vodou can also be found in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Brazil, and the United States (particularly Louisiana where the term Voodoo is also popular). Across the many different diasporic Vodou traditions, Catholic syncretism and using the saints as a cover for worshipping loa is also significant. 

KEMETICISM & KEMETIC ORTHODOXY

➡ Reconstructed, polytheistic, monolatry, originated in Northern Africa

✅Kemeticism is open, but Kemetic Orthodoxy has a conversion process

Kemeticism is the modern reconstruction of the religious traditions of Ancient Egypt. Kemetic Orthodoxy is a specific tradition of Kemeticism, which was founded by Rev. Tamra L. Siuda in the late 1980′s. Their official website says, “Kemetic Orthodoxy is an African Traditional Religion, and bears similarity to other African Traditional and African Diasporic religions (such as the West African religions of the Yoruba, Akan, Congo, and Dahomeyan peoples; and Afro-Caribbean practices of Vodou, Candomble, and Lukumi) as well as spiritual practices from northeastern Africa and the ancient Near East. Practicing Kemetic Orthodoxy requires a commitment to understanding a cultural heritage established in the past, which Kemetic Orthodoxy continues to respect and represent, even in places and times well removed from its original practice.” [x]

[theclosetratchet]

This post is 5 years old! I’ve learned sooooooo much more about this since then, but it’s appropriate to share today, because #BeyonceIsComing at midnight 🐝 : • • • Been learning about #ATR and #Yoruba culture for a few years and it’s only put me in alignment with my own personal power and capabilities. There’s a very significant reason why our ancestors were separated from their spirituality. If we collectively know that life began in Africa and we have collectively accepted that people of African descent have a direct link to God/ The Creator, then why are y’all scared of the spiritual practices our ancestors created? We are literally our ancestors. Don’t be scared of what you don’t know or understand yet! Why do y’all let Disney tell you who we are and who we are not? I’m just so glad, because now I don’t have to talk about this without feeling like an outcast. The veil is off y’all. Please go do some research! #Beyonce #JayZ #BlackParade #yoruba #africantraditionalreligions #atr #BreakMySoul https://www.instagram.com/p/CfCcNvNJRap/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[rashidablackfeather]

🕯 🔮 ✨ The look of Modern Witchcraft has worn a steady skin-tone for ages across the world. The ideal look of a witch accepted by society, for the longest, never included witches with darker skin or coily hair. So, what then, before the upsurge of witchiness that began not long after I had opened my metaphysical shop in 2014, is a young witch of color to do, but stay silent as the spiritualities of her people are appropriated, demonized, or otherwise mistreated? In this article by the oh-so kind @thegirlwholovedgraveyards , the situation is explored alongside beautiful images of @theyasminbenoit, as Lucy and I recount our very different paths to being the witches we are today, meanwhile exploring ways to prevent further damage and make witchcraft an inviting and safe practice for witches of all colors and creeds. Head to @witchesmagazine to find out how to pick up a physical copy or read the article online. #ancestorworship #appropriation #witchesofinstagram #culturalappropriation #witchythings #witchcraft #pagansofinstagram #nativeamericansovereignty #indigenoussovereignty #africantraditionalreligions #hoodoo #voodoo #yoga #hinduism #blackmagic #whitemagic #castingspells #hypersigil #indiemagazine #witchphoto https://www.instagram.com/p/B3sHYu1HihK/?igshid=1p8npap171m4v

[justiceayo]

Hoodoo, like jazz, is Black as night. Hoodoo, like jazz, evolved out of a commitment to listening and way-finding, mastery and improvisiation. It’s ok if you don’t have the right color candle, white will always do. Water and salt are programmable and will walk whichever way you tell them to. This is a creative and innovative practice that has often born out of necessity. Your ancestors didn’t always have the luxury of waiting until the moon was full to work.

We are the daughters of the dust and the children of the yam. We are a people who can put the power of High John into a peach pit; a people who could strike dead a master with intention and a glare. The asé behind the working matters far more than the material thing you use to work it.

This post is not encouraging you to be lackadaisical in your practice, but affirming your ability to grow as a practitioner through making your hoodoo into Bitches Brew.

[lavenderlundi]

There are so many fake white hoodoo practitioners and rootworkers on instagram and it honestly makes me sick how these white people have 10k+ followers while REAL hoodoo practitioners and rootworkers barely scraping by😒

[inheritedwisdom]

To know oneself is to know that there are parts of yourself that you are still working on and that’s okay. Healing takes time baby. Be patient with yourself and choose you everytime

- Inherited Wisdom 🦋✨🌱

[empressempathidi]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Idiongo aka Idi E (@empath_idi)

9.19.19 6:19am . How I'm walking into the hospital for #transfusionday in a few hrs 💃😏 Not really (Doubled over in pain at the moment...The show/life must go on!), but this does make me smile. . #GrandRising! . Reposted from @spiritualblackgirls (@get_regrann) - ☁✨ Style has a profound meaning to Black Americans. If we can’t drive, we will invent walks and the world will envy the dexterity of our feet. If we can’t have ham, we will boil chitterlings; if we are given rotten peaches, we will make cobblers; if given scraps, we will make quilts; take away our drums, and we will clap our hands. We prove the human spirit will prevail. We will take what we have to make what we need. We need confidence in our knowledge of who we are. 🕯 #NikkiGiovanni ✨☁ 📷 REPOSTING because someone commented credits for us on the previous upload! This beautiful child is @2ndlinestaige, video taken by @itchy_world. The @sidewalksteppers6 are also in this video 💙 #🌹🌿 #africantraditionalreligion #hoodoo #rootwork #conjure #ritual #brujeria #bruja #blackgirlmagic #folkmagic #juju #priestess #brujasofinstagram #blitch #brujabae #witchbae #ancestorveneration #ancestorsdream #wildwoman #divinefeminine #medicinewoman #egun https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ltUUMH15y/?igshid=hha58sudz3gu

[deusavani]

Wall plaques/wall mount art . AFROCENTRIC | SPIRITUALITY | SACRED GEOMETRY ESOTERIC ACCESSORIES & APPAREL _______________________ 🌐Worldwide shipping🌐 Wholesale too 📩deusavani@gmail.com _______________________ #Ankh wall plaques _______________________ #deusavani #africantalent #vegetarian #goddessrising #africantraditionalreligion #spirituality #cosmic #chakras #crownchakra #yemaya #naturalista #lotus #sacredgeometry @deusavani #africanspirituality #positivevibes #yogafitness #afrobeats #esoteric #spirit #sunsalutation #orisha #yoga #afropunk #floweroftheday #ghana #positivevibesonly #kente #veganlife https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ojVkSFd4Z/?igshid=1hqposlnlpwco

[blacktourmalinetarot]

Is it normal to feel like your ancestors may not like you? I want to communicate with them but I’m afraid of disturbing them or getting a negative reaction. How can I know whose okay to talk with?

Your ancestors LOVE you! you won't disturb them, they want to be honored and acknowledged. Remember to keep a cleansed space before calling on them, you can also pray psalm 23 or 91 if you're worried about anything negative coming through. Archangel Micheal is also good for casting away any negative or trickster spirits. You can also call out specific ancestors by name, and have pictures up. If you're still worried you can also say “ I only call forth the Ancestors that love and support me on this path, for my highest and greatest good” (or something similar). Most importantly, don't be afraid of them, they are your family. Now, I  do believe that people can have ancestors that aren't in alignment with their highest good, that's why it's important to pray for them as well as yourself. Some of them have trauma that they need to heal from as well. Pray for the healing of your ancestors, and if you're not comfortable with that, you can let them know that anyone who isn't loving, supporting, and in alignment with your highest good isn't welcome here! 

Now to refer back to your concern about disturbing them, In my opinion.. the only way you could really be disturbing them is if you act as if your ancestors are supposed to be your genies, granting whatever wishes you have. I’ve seen people say that they don't think their ancestors like them because they don't make Xyz happen. While they are willing to help you with your needs, they aren't going to magically make things manifest in your life. They can help you find a job, and keep you safe from enemies. and offer guidance but they aren't your magical elves or whatever else lol. They especially won't do a whole lot if you don't change the water often, or give offerings when possible. You need to form a relationship with them. You don't need to know all their names or what they look like. You just need to be sincere and they will love you and support you in every way. I hope this answers your question!

Twitter: @ Tourmalinetarot

[tonydollar]

#africaprint #africanwedding #africa #africantraditionalreligion #africanfashiontrends #ankarastylesafrica #couplegoal #trandition #menswear #africafashion #gentlemanstyle #ootdmen #ootd #bespoke #style #gent #mensblog #mensweardaily (à Geneva, Switzerland) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzOfeM8h-6g/?igshid=8hk3y2dq6xsu

[ancestralvoices]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 #Repost @spiritualblackgirls • • • • • • 🤦🏾🙄😂😂😂🤷🏾 It is what it is! We got another holiday coming up in a few days and I know it can be hard and sometimes hurtful (even if the words arent the meanest, there's a sense of (privileged) respect we all were accustomed to around our faith and religious practices that we are no longer afforded on this new path, #SpiritualBlackGirls)! . Remember that you can stay strong and speak your truth AND that you can choose to utilize your #SacredWords in a different way and utilize #SacredSilence! 😂💜 Yes, preserve & protect your energy, sanity, and the space you are creating for yourself and dont respond and even let things go (for now) for the sake of your own rejuvenation and enjoyment this holiday season 🙏🏾✨🕯 📷 @0vivaalafia0 #🌹🌿 #africantraditionalreligion #africantraditionalreligions #alafia #jujusquare https://www.instagram.com/p/B6YPjl7H6-h/?igshid=1k2ejm8mq7gfd

[spiritroots]

Lineages & Initiation in ATRs

Some information from this post regarding my personal involvement in certain Africana traditions is out of date. Please see this post for corrections and updates.

I wanted to share the exciting news that I am now officially a member of an ilé of the American diasporic practice of West African Yoruba Ifá tradition! I also wanted to take this opportunity to share more about the concept of ilé, lineages, and their importance for many Africana religions.

What are Lineages in African Traditional Religions?

> So what is an ilé, and why does it matter? Ilé in Yoruba language means “house,” “land,” or “earth.” It is what we call a lineage in Ifá tradition. This is a concept that is actually very relevant to many African traditional religions (ATRs) such as Santería, Candomblé, and Voodoo/Vodou/Vodun. None of these are single, organized religions. They are each made up of many, many different lineages that have certain practices and beliefs in common, but also lots of individualized differences as well. Every lineage in an ATR has its own way of doing things, and this is very important.

Different lineages in Ifá tradition have their own beliefs about the orishas:

“Bascom concluded that myths about the orisha are stories believed to be true and that the stories about how the orisha arrived on earth in Ile-Ife differ from lineage to lineage.” [x pg 76]

> There are different words for “lineage” in different ATRs. As mentioned, the Yoruba word for it is ilé. In Santería, they are often called casas (“houses”) or cases de Ocha. I have seen them referred to as “lineage,” “house,” and “family” in Vodou (though there may be other specific terms I’m not aware of).

The Role & Significance of Lineages

> Most African traditional religions are initiatory-based. When you get initiated, you become part of that lineage. This is one of many reasons why initiation is so important. To learn and practice many ATRs, you must get involved with a specific lineage. Every lineage is like a spiritual family, and when you are initiated you are officially adopted into it. The priest or priestess who initiated you is often referred to as your godparent. 

> Lineages keep oral tradition alive and secrets from being spread. Many ATRs such as the ones described above are forms of shamanism and mysticism, which means that there are important reasons why some practices are kept secret and passed down through lineages of oral tradition. “Mysticism” comes from the Ancient Greek word μυω (“I conceal”) and μυστικός (“an initiate”). By mysticism, I mean a type of spirituality that relates to becoming one with or fully knowing the divine or absolute truth. Mysticism traditions such as Kabbalah (Judaism), Vajrayana (Buddhism), and Sufism (Islam) have teachings and practices that are kept secret only for initiates/special students.

Shamanism is a type of mysticism present in many indigenous religions, traditional African religions included. A “shaman” is generally someone chosen by the ancestors, spirits, and/or deities of that culture to act as a bridge between those spirits and their community of living people. (Ex.: In some ATRs these spirits are the orishas, in others they are the lwa or loa). This is a huge responsibility, and the special knowledge and wisdom it requires could be very dangerous in the wrong hands.

> Lineages are formed by student-teacher relationships. The role of shaman typically requires a lifetime of training and is usually taught by one experienced shaman to another through an oral tradition. Initiation(s) mark steps of progress on this learning path, growing the skills of the shaman and their powerful relationship with the spirits. This string of teacher-to-student relationships is what eventually becomes a lineage. In ATRs, this teacher is your godparent who initiated you as well as potentially other important role models in your lineage.

Each Religion & Lineage is Unique

> Every lineage has its own name. For example, the Idio lineage and Obadio lineage are two Yoruba lineages of Ifá tradition. The Asson lineage, Deka Lineage, and Tcha Tcha Lineage are well-known lineages of Haitian Vodou.

> Every lineage even within a single ATR has their own way of interacting with and potentially bringing in outsiders. For example, my ilé (lineage) in Ifá tradition accepts members through an application and based on experience with them even if you are not yet initiated on any level.

An example of this in Ifá tradition across different Ile-Ife lineages:

“When I asked Oduduwa devotees why their group was not as popular as the Obatala group, they responded that their own lineage forbade outsiders to participate whereas the Obatala group welcomed outsiders.” [x pg 76]

> Every lineage has its own set of beliefs and way of practicing. Though all the lineages of a specific ATR will have a lot in common, it is important to remember that there are always variations across each lineage and its version of the oral traditions passed down. 

This is one of many reasons why it is very difficult (or arguably impossible) to practice any ATR completely on your own. Most ATRs such as the ones described in this post are at their core based on community, lineage, initiation, and oral tradition. All these concepts are intertwined and without them you cannot fully engage in the traditions or even learn them at all.

If you engage in any related practices or traditions and notice anything inaccurate in this post, please message me so I can correct it. Thank you!