Ancestors and Ablutions
Ka’at Ib: Ancestors and Ablutions
The Kaat-Ibi class focuses on life and longevity from different aspects. This class teaches breathing techniques that allow one to expand the lungs, as well as techniques to stretch and elongate the body. Most importantly, students learn how to access the Divine world through one's ancestors.
I remember when I was younger, I read a book written on slavery. The book discussed how slaves would be working in the field and they'd start talking and chanting in their native tongue, communicating with their ancestors. They would ask their ancestors for help. The slave owners would be informed of this behavior and the slaves were punished by being beheaded. The slave owners made examples out of them, making the other slaves fearful of not only speaking their language but maintaining a relationship with their ancestors.
After reading something so moving, this inspired me to try to re-establish a relationship with my own ancestors. Late at night, I would sit on my porch and talk to my grandmothers. I would go out late, so my parents would be sleeping, making them unaware of my rituals. It is sad that I had to sneak and talk to my ancestors, afraid of being judged by my family and neighbors. Slave owners did a great job turning something so spiritual and pure into something wicked and evil.
When I learned about The Earth Center and its Ka'at Ibi class, I was excited to know that not only would we learn meditation and poses, but also how to access something that has been lost from our culture for hundreds of years. Some religions teach that when you pray, all you need to do is get down on your knees, fold your hands, and pray. But we have learned that it is not that simple. As human beings, we have looked forward to finding the easy way out, even when it comes to prayer.
The first step to coming close to accessing the Divine world is to purify the body, which is called ablution. Why do we need to purify the body? A God is a pure entity, the purest of pure, and so are our ancestors. So if we are dirty, why would they want to acknowledge us or be around us, unless they desired to be dirty like us? And why would we want to dirty them? If we want to communicate with them, it is our responsibility to do what is required to be on their level, which begins with purity.
Our ancestors have a direct connection with the Deities. In order for us to communicate with the Deities we have to go through our ancestors - they are the link between us and the Gods. By acknowledging their existence through offerings and prayer, we strengthen them, allowing our ancestors the ability to guide and protect us.
This is direct knowledge from the African bush, and cannot be learned through books. I can appreciate many of the lessons I've learned through the Ka'at Ibi class. And now that I have established a relationship with my ancestors, I have a more harmonious life and a clearer view of my destiny.
