Worship your Ancestors

                                  Ancestral worship 

is a belief system widely practiced in Africa, where people believe that their deceased ancestors continue to exist in the spiritual realm and can influence the physical world. This practice has been an integral part of African culture for centuries, and it remains an essential component of traditional African religion and spirituality.

In African cultures, ancestors are believed to offer protection, guidance, and support to their living descendants. Ancestral spirits are a vital link between the living and the dead, and they are believed to have the power to bring blessings or misfortunes to those who venerate them or neglect them. This belief is often accompanied by the conviction that death is not an end but a transition to another realm where the spirits of the deceased can continue to watch over and guide their living descendants.

Ancestral worship is practiced differently in different parts of Africa. In some societies, ancestors are believed to be benevolent and are honoured through offerings and prayers, while in others, they are feared and appeased through sacrifices and other rituals. Some African societies believe that the spirits of their ancestors can even possess living individuals and communicate through them. The beliefs and practices associated with ancestral worship vary greatly across Africa, and they reflect the diversity of African cultures and traditions.

In some African societies, ancestral worship is intertwined with other religious beliefs, such as Christianity and Islam, thisis noticeable among the yorubas who practice "Saara," a form of feast to celebrate the dead. In these societies, people often merge the practices of ancestral worship with their other religious beliefs, and they may see no contradiction in doing so. In other societies, ancestral worship is seen as a separate and distinct religious practice, and it is practised exclusively on its own.

Even though the practice of ancestral worship in Africa is widespread and deeply rooted in African culture, it has also been the subject of controversy and criticism. Some people view the practice as superstitious and outdated, and they question its relevance in the modern world. However, for many Africans, ancestral worship is a source of comfort, strength, and guidance, and it remains an integral part of their spiritual and cultural identity.

Read about Sango The African King

Ancestral worship is a significant aspect of traditional African religion and spirituality. It reflects the belief that the spirits of the deceased continue to exist in the spiritual realm and can influence the physical world. While the practice of ancestral worship varies across different parts of Africa, it remains a vital part of African culture and tradition. As such, it deserves to be respected and understood by those who seek to appreciate and learn about African culture and history.

Read about the Pythons of the East

 Among the Yorubas in Western Africa, it is always an occasion for festivities with elaborate cooking done and a large crowd  are fed. Food is shared with the neighbours and prayers are said for the dearly departed.