The Earth Center’s Ankhkasta Healing Pilgrimage

The Proof is in the Pudding: A Pilgrim's Lesson

By Imy Maktitaoui

The Earth Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and promotion of traditional culture. With that being said, the Earth Center encompasses much more than I am able to understand with my limited human intellect. Let me explain. The M'TAM School of Kemetic Philosophy and Spirituality is one of the organizations that comprise the Earth Center. In the M'TAM School, initiates (students) are taught how to read, write and speak Medu, the oldest language known to humanity, commonly referred to as "Egyptian Hieroglyphics." Language instruction is coupled with lessons about history and philosophy from the perspective of indigenous traditional people. Initiates are also taught Ka'at Ibi, the original form of meditation, pre-dating yoga. In the Ka'at Ibi course, initiates are exposed to the traditional concepts and techniques of spirituality. The third course of study offered in the M'TAM School is called Sount. In this course initiates learn the basics of traditional healing and are taught how to diagnose illnesses with noninvasive techniques and how to heal using natural herbal remedies.

The other two branches of the Earth Center are Firefly Productions and Ankhkasta Natural Healing. Firefly Productions is the publishing arm of the Earth Center that distributes traditional information in the form of books, magazines, calendars, CD's, DVD's, etc. Ankhkasta Natural Healing is the branch of the Earth Center that focuses on the healing of the human being, which on the surface, sounds straightforward and rather easily comprehensible, however, when you see the practical application of Ankhkasta healing and the illnesses that are able to be healed as well as the seemingly simple techniques employed, then it becomes obvious that the know-edge has come from a source the modern world has lost its connection with. In other words; I think we would all agree that there is more to life than the mere physical form. If we can accept this, then it stands to reason that there must be more to an illness than the mere physical aspect as well. Ankhkasta Natural Healing treats the physical and non-physical aspects of an illness with undeniable success. As my grandmother used to always say, "the proof is in the pudding."To attempt to bring an explanation to the way Ankhkasta heals would be arrogant. This knowledge is simply beyond my ability to explain, however, it is observable and accessible to anyone that has an illness, especially those illnesses that modern medicine states are incurable or have progressed too far to be healed.

Once a year, initiates are invited to take a pilgrimage to Merita (pre-colonial name for "Africa") and visit the land of our ancestors. I have been fortunate enough to be able to partake in this journey twice. First in 2009 and again in 2011.

It was on my second trip that I most often refer to in this article as I was able to process my experience more thoroughly than my first trip. This is a result of having been in the M'TAM School for a longer period of time which has allowed me to spend more time putting the concepts I have been exposed to into practice in my life. One such concept is the use of logic and control of emotion. It sounds simple enough, however, being raised in this modern culture, where emotions are rewarded more than logic, it can be a difficult concept to identify with. For example, the actors, athletes and entertainers that excite our emotions are rewarded and recognized more often and with far greater financial gains than those individuals that expand our intellect. Most of us are able to say the names of dozens or more athletes, actors, or musicians than we can of the names of people that have expanded our understanding. Logic is not valued in the modern world, at least not as much as the ability of a person to stir an emotion in another human being. Another concept brought to the discussion of logic and emotion in the M'TAM School is that emotions do not think. In other words, when a person is in the grip of an emotional reaction, the logical or reasoning part of their brain is shut down. If logic and reasoning are valued then the control of emotion is also valued. During my first trip to Merita, I had less control over my emotions and therefore used less logic.

Armed with my logic, I was able to observe and process more during my second pilgrimage than I was during my first. Again, I was excited to be on the land of my ancestors, however, I was better at keeping this excitement from distracting me from the purpose of this pilgrimage. This pilgrimage was unlike most pilgrimages. This pilgrimage was a healing pilgrimage. Most of the individuals on this pilgrimage, me included, were present for specific physical and/or spiritual healing. I will not comment specifically on anyone else's healing except my own out of respect, however, the results I witnessed were nothing short of phenomenal, especially when you consider that many of the ailments that individuals brought on this pilgrimage had been dismissed by the modern medical system as incurable. And, yet here they were being healed right in front of my eyes. There were many incredible stories that will be inspiring and life changing for those that are fortunate enough to hear or read them.

My story is this; I came on this pilgrimage for both spiritual and physical healing. I had high blood pressure and my attempts to control my blood pressure through diet and exercise had not been successful. My blood pressure was also causing an issue with one of my kidneys by preventing it from functioning properly. There were other physical issues that were revealed that I was unaware of prior to my arrival in Merita. Spiritually, I won't pretend to understand what my issues were other than to say that there was spiritual work that needed to be done that would benefit me and remove negative energy from me. My healing began with an Earth Energy Reading.

"Do not confuse Earth Energy Readings with psychic readings...they are very different! There are two main channels of Earth Energies: the Bayuali and the Yenu. These are the energy channels through which everything that exists on Earth communicates with each other and the universe. The Bayuali channel is the channel coming from the Earth, and these energies can be captured at any given time and read. The reading of the energies, while very technical in nature, is also a very refined art that is learned in Meritah only through intense initiations..."

The logic is that if there is more to life than just the physical aspects of a human being, then there must be more to an illness than what is merely physical. One problem with modern medicine is that there is no recognition of the existence of non-physical causes of illnesses. Functioning from this limited view of reality, it should be no surprise that there are many illnesses that cannot be cured using the techniques and thinking of modern medicine. It is not necessarily the fault of modern day "health care providers" but through their ignorance, such large amounts of people die needlessly in hospitals and at home while under their "care". Before I came on this pilgrimage, I was prescribed Lopressor. The first warning of this medication is not to stop taking it without consulting your doctor because if you do it may cause chest pain or heart attack (high pressure advertising at its best). The side effects of this drug include but are not limited to severe dizziness, fainting, blue fingers/ toes, trouble breathing, new or worsening symptoms of heart failure (such as swelling ankles/feet, severe tiredness, shortness of breath, unexplained/sudden weight gain), mental/mood changes (such as confusion, mood swings, depression). To be fair, it did lower my blood pressure for the brief time I took them, which was until I discovered the side effects. The troubling thought is that this was the accepted solution for my blood pressure issues according to modern medical thought. Logically speaking, it would be unwise to trade my blood pressure problems with the possibility of having the aforementioned side effects, yet the companies that produced this drug and many drugs like it make billions of dollars each year dispensing such poison and calling it medicine.

When I came home, I made an appointment with my doctor. He is an elderly man that has always respected my decision to heal myself naturally. He delivered three of my four daughters and I continue to trust him with my life, to an extent. Like any doctor of modern medicine, he is not an inherently bad person; he is just ignorant to what constitutes human existence. When I went into his office, his nurse checked my blood pressure, it was 142/88. Before I left on pilgrimage it averaged 175/99. My doctor then ordered a full-battery of blood tests. Before the pilgrimage my blood toxicity was 2.5 times the normal limit. Now, it is exactly where it should be. I drink one herb three times a day and another once in the evening. That's it. The only side effects of this medicine (herbs) is good health. The proof is in the pudding.

A Woman's Perspective 

by Werbaiui Zipewtu

SINCE I HAVE been back from taking the 3 week trip to Meritah I have been asked about my experiences, what have I learned, gained, seen, etc. It's interesting what my answers have been since every time I speak on the trip I give different perspectives based on more of an understanding I have gained from my own reflections and introspection.

I find it interesting how each time the question always seems to come back to, how is it to be a woman in the culture? Some would say a women's/woman's role is very simple. You wash, clean, cook, raise the children, go to sleep and get up and do it all over again. It's true that some of the tasks of a woman may be these things, but to think for a moment they are easy or limited is disrespectful to our culture. While I was in Meritah, every day we worked very hard to do each task to the best of our ability. Each day was long and filled with learning, thinking, motivation, and especially hard work. I have never felt so physically weak and lazy in my American lifestyle as I did there while I carried bowls of water so large they didn't fit in my arms, washed laundry with my fists, cooked outside on a fire, for a group of almost 40, for every meal, and the challenges go on. Each task turns into another and before you realize it you are learning, teaching...living. In the education we are taught about the importance of focusing on the self, cleaning up the mess we have made in our lives, and taking responsibility.

We are also taught that the way to break a family is to take it out of the community, isolate it.

When I would begin each day it was with a sense of understanding the goal and tasks at hand. The day's work was to be done by each individual, but surviving was not meant to be done alone. It was through community living that really ensured our ability to provide what was needed for the entire household each day. While one was washing multiple peoples' clothes, another was ting breakfast made, another washing the floors of the house and straightening up, another would be getting children together, another sweeping. There was much work to be done and having the women working together to get each task completed made sense.

It was the same team work and unity that assisted the individual to provide time and space for the spiritual activities of each day. Throughout the hustle and bustle of each day, our spiritual activities and instructions from the healers and priests were not forgotten or put on a back burner. Often times I would be in the middle of completing a task when I would be called to a meeting or spiritual activity. It was then that another woman would step in and pick up where I left off. There was no sense of mine vs. yours. We were a family working together.I found it interesting how much the household changed depending on how

the women were working together. When the women were strong, united, focused, and productive, then the men were observed as being the same and the household ran smoothly. When the women were not, the whole day became a challenge with many feeling disappointed and lacking. The functioning of the woman in the house affects everyone. Her role is very important in the stability of the family and it was clear how disturbed the house can become when the woman/women are not able to fulfill their roles to the best of their abilities with positive, productive energy put forth. I really appreciate this opportunity to have the experience of living communally in a setting such as Meritah. I found it comforting to be able to forget about the hustle and bustle of going to work for someone else each day just to come home and be too tired to put the same effort into my house and family. Living culturally, I was now able to focus my energy and strength toward the work that needed to be done for my family the and community (my sisters, my brothers, my children). The work was rewarding and fulfilling, even when I made a mistake or did something out of ignorance, l learned something about living and myself.

I think this trip was hard, challenging, and even rough at times, but what I learned about myself, my culture, and my beloved land, is irreplaceable. I found the part of me that was at peace with being who lam: a student, a teacher, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a mother, a healer. I see now how important a woman's role is to the household, the family, and the community.

Clearly Defined 

by Kwame Jordan

IN THIS ARTICLE I will discuss what l've observed and learned about gender roles and other cultural aspects in traditional and contemporary Merita in comparison to gender roles and culture I've been exposed to in here in Maanu. The clarity of these roles provides direction and stabilization to the people in the culture and is very consistent among the ethnic groups and countries in Merita as well. I realized how these defined gender roles permeate the culture and it gave me even more confidence in the traditions despite modern society's aim to destroy my point of reference to my ancestors' way of life.

From the many conversations I had with men and women in Merita, I learned that much of the education on how men and women should act was learned at a very early age. The traditions had clearly stipulated the different roles of men and women in the society and, unlike in "modern" society, these lessons were taught to them through hands on experience, not from a book or a teacher outside the home but as part of one's everyday life. I witnessed young boys and girls being instructed on specific tasks (relating to their roles) in the village, Tambiga in Eastern Burkina Faso,. All of the young boys contributed to the slaughtering of the meat from herding and gathering of the animals for offerings, cleaning the meat, and fetching the required materials necessary to perform spiritual work. I also witnessed young girls and women preparing to cook the offerings fetching fire-wood, charcoal, and water from the well. I witnessed the young girls sticking close to older women and asking questions to refine their cooking prowess. In Ouagadougou (capitol of Burkina Faso), I observed defined roles in the economic environment. While men predominantly performed more of the mechanical, construction, and police occupations where the women dominated and controlled most of the stands in the market no matter what the product was. This is not to say there weren't any men working in the market but I observed many more women working in the booths. From this vantage point I didn't see where the "modern society's" claim of inequality between men and women in Merita was based. The question I asked myself was whose values are they referencing and/or trying to impress upon the people because I saw clearly defined roles with little to no confusion as it pertained to this part of the culture.

As it pertained to circumcision and excision most of the men I spoke to (as I was very curious about this because my son and I were going to have this procedure performed) stated they had this procedure performed a home. Some of the women I spoke with in very discreet fashion discussed how some of them had it done at a very young age and they didn't remember the event at all, while others had to be tricked and forcibly held down to have the procedure performed. It was explained to me the importance of the circumcision/excision to the purity of the human being that this had to be done for men and women to ensure certain things for the human in the afterlife. While I was in Ouagadougou specifically I saw many billboards and other promotions that spoke of excision as genital mutilation and campaigns to "raise awareness" that this must stop.

I also saw promotions for equality for women as if the women were mistreated by following their culture and traditions. The modern western culture has definitely taken root in Ouagadougou and the younger generation is being influenced by it more than ever. One of the younger brothers in Merita who was of very dark complexion told me that he wanted a wife that wasn't as dark as he was, but more like my complexion (as I am several shades lighter than he is). This was another effect of modern society's aim to attack the culture at it very core as there was also billboards and products that promoted skin brightening and lightening. In Ouagadougou the elders seemed to be very concerned about the current state and the future because of the values that the youth were adopting. Conversely, in Tambiga and in another village just outside of Sokode in Northern Togo, the children seemed unaffected by these "ills" of modern society and we were instructed not to bring in foods and other things from the modern world because it would corrupt them.

As I began the journey back to Maanu (North and South America), I began to somewhat process what I had been exposed to in Merita and what I was coming back to in Maanu and I didn't want to leave Merita. A feeling of depression came over me I knew that I was missing a lot in my life back in Maanu. For instance the defined gender roles | observed in Merita would probably solve most of the problems of relationships and marriage in here in the U.S. because men and women would stop competing for control of the house-hold. They would find contentment in their roles to their families and thus the community at large, unlike in America we have learned to adapt to instability and competition between husband and wife for top breadwinner for the family. In America boys and girls are being taught the exact same things and therefore grow up convoluted without any clearly defined roles of how they should "fit" in the world let alone the society itself. Ouagadougou conversely is trying to emulate the western world in many ways but in many ways traditional culture is embedded the fabric of the society and there is a battle going on now to maintain those traditional ways.

In conclusion, I had a meditation on a funeral I attended after I returned. At this funeral the speaker commended the wife of the deceased for the way she took care of her ailing husband while working outside of the home at the same time. The those speaking of this woman expressed their admiration for her work and dedication to her husband. My mind immediately took me back to the gender roles I observed in Merita and I could only think that it was a bit shameful that the attendees of the funeral really thought it was a big deal (by round of applause) that a wife did what she was supposed to do for her husband which was to simply take care of her family. Again, I noticed how "crappy" I grew up living here and how much we have lost being in Maanu. My pilgrimage was full of lots of experiences but with the short period of time I was there I realize that there are still places in the world fit to live and raise children where human beings learn to grow up to actually be human beings. The the confusion that we experience in the family structure growing up here in America would be stabilized by clearly defined roles based on specific cultural values. I'm encouraged to go back and learn even more.

Reality vs. A Virtual Reality 

by Patricia Jordan

WHEN I REFLECT on the pilgrimage to Merita I think about how you can go through the motions of things. Like when you are at the gym on the treadmill. You choose the hill workout. It is mocking what it would be like to walk up a hill or a mountain. You choose that because it is a challenging thing to do, but you will never feel the way you would if you really walked up the mountain- the hot sun on your face, the fresh air, the sound of the birds or the view of fresh grass, flowers, and other aspects of nature. That's how I look at life in Maanu now. There is a perception of reality that allows us to go through all the motions and feel like we are doing something or accomplishing something, but it is not real. What stood out the most to me are the roles of women.

Before traveling to Merita I thought | was a fairly strong woman. I always thought | had things together and would never have considered myself lazy or weak. Here in Maanu I cook, clean my home, do laundry, and care for my children, and at the end of the day I have time to just relax and enjoy the "ahh" moments by laying in the bed and watching a movie, reading a good book, or taking a hot bath. In Merita I cooked, cleaned, did laundry, and cared for my children and at the end of the day I was completely exhausted and just wanted to fall asleep! I had to meditate on why that was - I was doing the same activities but with different outcomes. I came to a realization about my life. I live in somewhat of a virtual reality here. I have things that do everything for me. I am surrounded by encouragement to cut corners in every way.

In Merita, the women do more than the women in Maanu and they do it with their hands. Here there are so many things to do everything for us. My washing machine thoroughly washes clothes. All I have to do is dump the clothes in, add soap, and press a few buttons. Then the dryer gets everything dry and wrinkle-free in about 40 minutes. In Merita I experienced what it is like to really wash clothes - by hand. It adds a whole different view on that particular chore. I had to have a strategy to keep it manageable. If I let too many days pass, I would have a huge pile of clothes to wash for myself, my husband, and my two children. You also need to use a good method so the clothes come out clean and the stains are removed from the whites. Here in Maanu I wouldn't think twice about letting clothes pile up for a week or even two weeks because I know that I can easily just throw some loads in the laundry and walk away. This is one example of how the conveniences here contribute to laziness.

In Maanu, we have mega grocery stores where we can buy everything in one easy stop at almost any time of day. It is all pre-packaged, canned, and neatly laid out so all we have to do is toss it in our cart, check out, and go. I don't have to cut up tomatoes from scratch because I can buy a can of organic tomatoes that are already diced for me! I don't need to make biscuits from scratch. I just need to pop open a tube and separate the dough and stick them in the oven. You can buy almost anything sliced, diced, pre-packaged, pre-cooked, pre-seasoned, etc. Here in Maanu you can be a great cook without really being a great cook.

Even something as simple as cooking a pot of rice made me realize how unskilled I am. I've cooked hundreds of batches of rice in my life. I've watched my mother and grandmother cook hundreds of batches of rice. You put the rice in the cooker, cover it with water, and press the cook button. In 20 minutes there is a perfect batch of rice - not undercooked or overcooked. In Merita I experienced what it really means to cook rice. You have to first light a fire and then you have to know how to control the fire so that it is not too hot or too low. After a few batches of undercooked rice and one batch of completely soggy rice, I felt completely humbled by the experience. I saw that the women in Merita cook rice, but the way they do it requires a skill. It requires thought. It requires attention. These are all things that are lacking here in Maanu. Everything is automated or made to be quick and easy. We don't even have to use our brains. I used to think those things were great, but now ! see how corrupt it makes us. I see how debilitating it is to grow up like that.

I give all these examples because these simple things that I do on a daily and weekly basis here turned into an eye-opening experience in Merita. The women there do everything we do but they do it with skill. Hard work for them is not hard work. It is life - Cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, caring for children, and much more. They do it all with efficiency, ease, and without complaint. They don't look to cut corners because that isn't even really an option there. I considered it hard work and tiring because my life in Maanu is so much easier because of all the conveniences that are available. It is almost as if life here is a virtual reality. There is an illusion.

The result of having all these conveniences and all of these shortcuts is that women here are raised without having any real skills. The skills we think we have are just an illusion. We think we can cook, but what would we do without a gas stove and a grocery store that is open from 6 am to midnight? We think we can keep a home clean, but what would we do without our fancy Swiffer mops, plug-in vaccums, and chemical cleaners. We think we can do laundry but what would we do without our washing machine and dryer? Thinking about it that way makes you look at it from a whole different perspective.

It was an eye-opening realization to understand the depth of the corruption that we grow up in. Life here requires little thought and little skill. This is the way we grow up and we take pride in all of the automated things we have. I've been living in this way for 32 years. It is engrained in me. I realize now more than ever how corrupt and debilitating this is. I want to pass down knowledge and skills to my son and daughter and so I realize that I first need to learn some real skills that are worth passing down.

Overall, the pilgrimage experience gave me a new set of eyes.

I've grown up in Maanu and will likely live here for the duration of my life, so I think I can best use my pilgrimage experience to keep my perspective in order. I also understand why one of the requirements of being a Kem is to go on an annual pilgrimage to Merita.

The pilgrimage is not only a way to access and take care of our an-cestors, but it is also a way to cleanse us of this buildup of corruption and keep our eyes focused on reality.

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