How do African people connect with their deceased forebears? Perhaps there are
many ways. One personal method was revealed to me by a devoutly Christian
middle-aged health worker who combines her faith with some traditional
practices of her people. I met her when Heather Deighan and I were conducting a
three-year Aus-AID-funded project on the South African highveld. I offer this
snippet of African practice with care and the feeling of reverence the
self-discloser communicated to me.
Speaking with my Ancestors
I spoke with a very intuitive Tswana woman, whom I shall call Kay, or just K.
She showed me a window into her heart and mind, and took me on a journey into
her soul. Please, then, respect the dead, and the soul-culture of a
professional woman and a leader in her community, as you read these lines.
Two things that are very important in my culture are ancestors and
traditional healers, K said as we began our journey together.
My father had been an inspector of schools in Johannesburg, and when he died
he was cremated and his ashes were buried in Braamfontein Cemetery. My
grandfather, who was a witchdoctor, and my brother, who was killed in an
accident, are also there.
My father was my best friend. We always talked things over. He was my
confidant and my advisor. He taught me to respect all people, regardless of
their colour or position in life. He wrote a book about life, and a German
University who built a statue in memory of him honoured this.
When I go to Johannesburg, I visit his grave. Im a born-again Methodist and
I draw strength from my ancestors. I visit him when Ive got something worrying
on my mind. I sometimes take flowers and lay them gently next to the stone.
Then my conversation goes something like this:
Papa, this is K, your daughter. I honour you as my father, who gave me life.
And I come to you as my Dad as I want to chat with you. I hope you can hear me.
And Heavenly Father, I know he is with you, so if he cant hear me, would you,
who hears everything, give him my message.
Papa, I value you and your wise counsel now, as I always did. Theres
something worrying me that I want to talk about.
Then I tell him the issue. I pour it out. All the details, all the concerns.
Where it hurts. I tell him what I have to decide. Sometimes I also talk with my
grandfather and my brother.
When Im done, I tell the Lord, I am your daughter too, so please help me
sort this out.
Then I leave the issue. I always feel better, relieved, reconnected with my
source, my advisor-friend, my father.
And a way forward just comes to me.
Denis Ladbrook
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