The Voyage - Day 12

Project Africa

The Voyage - Day 12 (8/2/15)

"A name must carry a history; a name must carry an identity"

The most beautiful ceremony was laid out for us today. We went to the Essikado Village to visit Nana Kobina Nketsia for our traditional African naming ceremony. Everyone dressed in white and was called up one at a time to sit before the council of elders who decided upon a name based on factors like the day of the week we were born and how they read our spiritual energies. The Nana gave a very profound speech in which he explained the significance of a fitting name and how "a name must carry a history; a name must carry an identity." It shouldn't just be a placeholder on a legal document when you are born, but a carefully designed monument of significance.

 We sat before the king as we went through a ritual of drinking a liquor and water, 3 sips each. Upon each sip we are asked, "If you see alcohol, you say it's alcohol; if you see water you say it's water" - to which we respond, "It is alcohol; it is water" - to the appropriate liquid. It is a process of teaching and instilling a principal of honesty and integrity. Next the Queen Mother washes our face with a water/herb mixture and a wreath is placed around our necks. Lastly, we eat a concoction of yam, potato, and egg from the chief's fingers and our name is announced aloud. I am AMA MENSIWA - which means: the great one, born on a Saturday, who cares for all children. WOW! 

Footage from the ceremony will be posted on the PALA DONOR EXCLUSIVE FB PAGE.

After the ceremony, we were invited to the king's house for a specially prepared meal and time of socialization where I met one of Ghana's prominent hiphop artists, Obrafuor. On our way to a beach resort for another amazing buffet fully sponsored by the council, I got a chance to ride with a couple of the elders who made a stop at the top Nana's palace to ask for his blessing on our visit and for land, and other things spoken in the native language I couldn't understand. After we received the blessing, we joined the rest of the group for an amazing time at the resort complete with everything from food/drinks to beach relaxation to dance party in the on site club! Tonight, we will retire to the hotel for our nightly roundtable discussions under the cabana feeling the cool African breeze as the Atlantic roars at our feet.

Amani,
Rahkua

Project Africa: Los Angeles

"A group of conscious artists endeavoring to enrich our spirit and art through cultural immersion into our historical origins"

GoFundMe.com/ProjectAfricaReturn