“‘What is
the truth?,’ Dr. Holly asked me,
and knowing that I could not answer him he answered himself through a Voodoo
ceremony in which the Mambo,
that is the
high priestess, richly
dressed is asked
this question ritualistically. She replies
by throwing back
her veil and revealing
her sex organs.
The ceremony means
that this is
the infinite, the ultimate
truth. There is
no mystery beyond
the mysterious source
of life…It is considered
the highest honor
for all males
participating (in ceremony) to kiss her organ
of creation, for
Damballa the god
of gods, has
permitted them to
come face to face
with truth.”
I remember reading the above quote
in Zora Neal Hurston’s book Tell My Horse: Voodoo and Life in Haiti and
Jamaica many years ago, and realizing how rich and powerful African psychology
is. I had read other books on Vodou before this, but for some strange reason,
the paragraph above really got my attention and made me want to learn more about West African derived spiritual sciences practiced in the Caribbean. I think that
anyone who is interested in African spirituality, or African American culture
should purchase Hurston’s books because she is an incredible writer who offers
a wealth of insight in her works.
As a kid, I attended a late-night
Shango Baptist ceremony, although my family was not of that faith. The ceremony, overseen by Trinidadian female friends of the family, was an eye opener for me. We also
had a large Papa Legba statue that some Haitian friends of the family had given us.
I must admit that ever since that statue was brought to our home, I became more
curious and intrigued by the mysteries of life, although I did not actively pursue
information concerning those mysteries until I was in my late teens.
I was exposed, firsthand, to many
different aspects of spirituality in my youth, which partially explains why I
don’t take a sectarian approach toward spirituality in my writings. I
acknowledge the contributions of various leaders and personalities of the past,
but I am not an exclusive disciple of any one of them in the present. I learn
something of value from everyone who has something of value to offer.
I’ve experienced what some might
call “the supernatural” in a very real and profound way, which might surprise a
few people since I don’t talk about those experiences in my posts. However, the
seen comes from the unseen, and a significant portion of what you read on this
site cannot be traced back to sources that you can see with the two eyes below
your brow.
Speaking of sources, I would like
to share another book that I read some time ago. It’s called Voodoos
& Obeah’s: Phases of West Indian Witchcraft by Joseph Williams. While
I see a need to point out that the author, who was a product of his time,
approaches the subject matter with some cultural bias (Africans and people of African descent don’t practice “witchcraft;” they practice spiritual sciences,) I think that it still
offers some insightful observations that may inspire the reader to purchase the
works of more recent and more credible authors.
You can download Williams’ book by
clicking right HERE.