There is an interesting phenomenon going on in the world of Kmtyw religion and spirituality. Specifically I speak of ways of life such as what is called Palo Mayombe, Eggun, and now what has been dubbed as Santeria. It is very disturbing to me that I am one of a very few Kmtyw brothers and sisters who practice this religion in my immediate community and amongst my peers. Equally disturbing is the fact that most of the spanish community who are practitioners particularly here in NYC do not acknowledge the Kmtyw origin of the practices and have now dubbed Cuba and Brasil as the home land for these practices and actually claim ownership. Being that I am born in perhaps the most racist and wicked of all Imperial systems who oppressed my ancestors(the good ol' U.S of A) I have seen time and time again our legacies being stolen and written out of our history and being attributed to other races.Too many times am I the only black person in the Muna nzo or Ile amongst everyone but other blacks seeking spiritual connection or balance in their lives. I have even heard of Elders making the statement, "Fuck Kmt" when someone tried to make a point about the old practices of the original people verses those of the peoples who came after. The resources of this site have been a real god send as I am learning language and culture from people who come from our spirituality's place of origin. I know how the disconnection and dis-association of blacks/Kmtyws from our own religious and spiritual practices occurred, I just do not know how it has survived so long without blacks(particularly in America) waking up to the fact that we as an entire people have been bamboozled. I do however see some of us waking up and claiming that which is ours and re-educating the masses to what is correct in our various spiritual practices. I feel like when it comes to matters of our spirituality, the entire world is more comfortable saying it comes from anywhere other than Kmt and being attributed to anyone else other Kmtyws; i.e., Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Brasilians, etc. Just like Rock n' Roll, the traffic light, and many other things, we never get the credit for our own creations/contributions to the World.
Which leads to the next point. Have any of the newer practitioners of these ways ever considered that this time and separation have corrupted those practices which are original? Perhaps odus have been misinterpreted? Maybe the practices have been watered down being that chattel slavery forced our ancestors to hide the practices and mix them with those of our captor. These are questions I ask seriously. Perhaps the prayers we use(when opening up divination) that are mixed with spanish and Kikongo are incorrect? I truly believe that I will be led to the correct information and maybe even be able to re-educate others in my house of spirituality. Or maybe not as no one will want to hear something contrary to that which they have been taught for so long.
Ironically enough, this proverb exists in Kikongo:
Mfundu za boko ka zisompolongo zu ko.
which translates to:
Secrets of the Boko (the indigenous community problem solving political entity) are not discussed in a "borrowed" language [that betrays the boko/mbongi and its system]
Any further information would be greatly appreciated. Particularly information on the prayers used to open divination sessions of Mayombe or Nganga...