Lost No Longer
In the movie "Black Panther," Eric Stevens’ father (played by Sterling Brown) says that in Wakanda (a fictional nation on the continent of Africa), they would be described as “lost.” I have heard one who grew up on the continent of Africa describe Black Americans as “lost” in making reference to African Americans who do not speak a traditional African language, whose names are more traditionally European or American, who cannot trace their family trees back to ancestors who lived on the continent of Africa, who do not travel to the continent themselves, and who do not participate in traditional customs (e.g., marriage rituals like the kola nut ceremony from Nigeria or the family interview in Ghana). The American education system teaches very little about the literary, cultural, and scientific contributions of Africa. Consequently, African Americans sometimes feel ashamed about their African heritage. We are not proud of Africa in the way that Caucasian Americans are proud of their connections to Europe.
Despite the ignorance about Africa, Blacks in the African diaspora have some of the same religious habits, food components, musical elements, dances, cultural celebrations, and land ownership practices as present-day Africans but we do not know where those customs come from. We are “lost” because we do not know the origin of much of our culture. Immigrants who adopt the culture of their new country are often described this way by those from their ancestral home.
In the movie "Black Panther," Eric’s hatred towards his father’s killer and his involvement in violence poisons his heart about how to use Wakanda’s technology. Vengeance is his agenda. It is worth noting that many Africans do not harbor hateful feelings towards Europeans or other cultures. Africans educated in the Western world often want to bring what they learn back to their native country so that their societies can progress. On the other hand, many Black Americans (and native Africans) have adopted some of the biases that mainstream Christians have towards other religions like African animism. With these ideas about their ancestry, what will heal and nurture the spirituality of traditionally Christian populations of African descent in the diaspora (the Caribbean, Central and South America, the United States, and Canada)?
Someone has gifted me an understanding of The Holy Bible that might be helpful. The two sections of The Holy Bible represent a transition from old forms of worship (hence the name “The Old Testament”) to the faith and worship practices espoused by Jesus and his followers (“The New Testament”). The Old Testament includes ancient forms of worship practiced around the globe, including communication with and worship of ancestors, divination, nature shrines, hero stories, idol worship, animal sacrifices, intervention by mediums, shaman prescriptions, initiation rites, and trance. African animist rituals often include some combination of these practices as shown in the movie "Black Panther." Some indigenous forms of worship feature: a calendar; rites of initiation of the young; instruction and initiation of mediums; methods of requesting a blessing (e.g., protection); rites of healing; a concept of time; explanations of the dead and the spirits of natural elements (e.g., water, air, land, fire, etc.); a resource to be consulted in times of adversity; rituals to solemnize marriage, welcome the birth of children, or say goodbye to the dead; and forms of paying homage to ancestors and mediums.
The New Testament is meant to inspire peace and goodwill among human kind through the teachings of Jesus. Every person has a role to play in first learning and modeling the ethics Jesus taught (unity, ministry, service, unconditional love, equality, healing, and forgiveness) and then evangelizing to another to adopt the same. The New Testament church ultimately exists in one’s heart and soul not in paying homage to a group of priests per se or appeal to ancestors for their intervention on one’s behalf. By some teachings, a New Testament faith does not necessarily have to be Christianity as long as it contains New Testament values and educates the conscience. To be sure, The New Testament church is not ashamed of its Old Testament past. In fact, the Ten Commandments given to Moses in The Old Testament were studied and taught by Jesus who appears in The New Testament.
Note that in the movie Black Panther, Eric’s journey to “the ancestral plane” assuages the hatred in his heart left by his father’s death. It lets him know that his father is still thinking of him which is exactly what many African Americans need to know – that their African ancestors welcome them and that they have much to be proud of. Whether you are a New Testament follower or a believer in other religions, give your ancestors some credit. Ancient Africa (and the world) pondered the mysteries of the universe, expressed the drama of life, survived formidable challenges, and knew love. Many ancient cultures had a complex cosmology that infused their spirituality and system of producing leaders.
The fact that indigenous spirituality more closely resembles forms of Old Testament worship does not mean these forms of belief are primitive or inferior. Everyone around the world participated to some extent in some combination of these rituals for thousands of years. In placing African animism as an Old Testament faith, I do not mean to ostracize those who still practice the old ways. The transition to New Testament faith is voluntary for every community. I am also not advocating a return to ancestor worship. My point is that there need not be a permanent hole in the heart of Christians toward Africa and indigenous animism.
The relationship with the ancestral land and culture is important even if one never participates in traditions. Pride in the contributions of one’s ancestors and the potential of Africa’s culture is a necessary first step if we are ever to ply the road to Wakanda. Take the time to learn more about your ancestral culture if for no other reason other than to restore a healthy respect for Africa. It has been my experience that Africans raised on the continent appreciate the chance to talk about their culture or to offer instruction in their language. African Americans who immerse themselves in traditional African culture regain a sense of direction (a feeling of being on firm soil in whatever company one might find oneself). They are “lost” no longer.
Share your ideas with scott@theorism.org.