An Arrow Shot Towards the Sun

Son of Morodeni, reincarnation of those valiant, worthy Dogon Priests, descendant of the lineage of the Neb (Naba is the bloodline of Dogon Spiritual masters, or Masters of the Land of the Rising Sun, you are now on the side of the sunset. For me, this may be sorrow instead of joy. I would feel joy if the traditional barter system existed between the worlds of the living and the dead. Many are those who would have given all their property just to have you with us. If only we could negotiate with death, many would empty their bank accounts to continue under your tutelage, to receive your priceless wisdom. And if only the tears of us, your children, could make you breathe, we would have emptied our bodies of all their tears in attempts to have you forever. 

Unfortunately, I have seen "forever" move to the West before leaving us this beautiful and gigantic work which you shot from the bow of your ancestors towards your people. It is a mission accomplished... When Master Naba talked about his return home to rest after so many years of struggle, we could not imagine for one moment it would be a rest alongside the ancestors... so soon. 

In his wisdom he said, "It is better to walk for nothing than to sit for nothing..."; you indeed exemplified your message! You stood up; you walked by leaps and bounds; and your walk was a worthy walk because of the many people who cry today. For the weight of your knowledge equals the sum of all knowledge. It has detoxified more than one brain from the poisons of this system. Your wisdom, like a whirlwind, has mobilized the people's awareness. Your philosophy, your courage and your determination are a rarity. From Tambiga to Morodeni, from Burkina to the world, your sleep leaves a gap that requires great efforts to bridge. 

In principle, to cry over the death of Master Naba would be normal, but we do not cry for a prophet like him... for a messenger who has perfectly fulfilled his mission, we should express the joy I mentioned above. Naba, we miss you today, not for what you have been between these two centuries, but for what we would have been if the ancestors had added another 525,600 minutes to your life. The ancestors have decided otherwise and have called you to their world on their holy day of the 15th of Heb Senseni 407. May the ancestors be as happy about your mission in this material world as we are. May they give you the peace of their world. 

Maakheru, you were the tree on which we have always depended; and under your shade we have built what are now our lives; you guided each important step in our enlightenment. Now the sun should be burning our heads for our lack of shade; the storm should be tearing us from our roots for the lack of your support; but all of these attempts will remain vain because knowledge we received from you serves as our shield... serves as our roots. Instead of going on any further with details regarding all of your intellectual, philosophical, scientific, astronomical and Kemetic knowledge (which would be like a step forward and two back), I will say that you are out of the ordinary and the many books to your credit reflect this. 

So, knowing your life as it was, based on simplicity and hard work done well, my tribute to you, my Master, my father, NABA LAMOUSSA MORODENIBIG will be summarized with these words. 

Aba, no matter the troubles, whatever the challenges, 

we will water the seed you put in the ground. 

no matter what darkness, what nightmares combat the light, 

it is your light that taught me not to be afraid. 

Master Naba, you have given us the proof and so hope of 

a life of quality 

you brought the Black man's authentic spirituality, 

then ended our people's wanderings, 

your enthusiasm has taught us, as your disciples, 

to believe in ourselves and in our ancestral heritage. 

Success depends on willingness 

Success is the product of hard work and attendance 

To always persevere against all odds 

To keep your head up in the toughest of fights 

To regain your breath, but never to give up 

Where in the forest you find yourself twice under the same tree, 

know that you are lost. 

-Master NABA