The Kemetic (Egyptian) Origin of Libation to the Ancestors (Honoring the Ancestors)

Scientific evidence shows that Africa is the birthplace of humanity, the progenitor of civilization, and the root of the world's major religions (i.e., Judaism, Christianity, and Al-Islam). Many historians and scientists argue that on the world stage of human progress, civilizations began in the Nile Valley, and there were many major civilizations in that area of Africa. However, ancient Kemet reflected humanity's march toward creating the world's first highly advanced civilization in times of antiquity. It played a central role in the development of mathematics, philosophy, medicine, science, government, architecture, a written language, art, monotheism, education, ethics, morals, and religion. Many cultures and nations borrowed from the knowledge and wisdom of the ancient Kemites to push their civilization forward towards the foundations of modern society. Unfortunately, white supremacy and Arab racists have made ancient Kemet an European or Arab civilization. When in fact, Kemet began as a Black civilization. Although the people of ancient Kemet are gone now, their cultural traditions can be seen in the present day libation to the Ancestors. The origin of libation to the Ancestors tradition comes from ancient Kemet (Egypt).

Kemet is the original African name for Egypt. When translated from the Medu Neter (the original African Kemetic name for their written words. But Europeans and Arabs call the Medu Neter hieroglyphics), it means the Black land. Khem, when translated from the Medu Neter, means black.

For the record, ancient Kemetic people did not worship the Ancestors as Gods. They honored the Ancestors out of respect and love for God thousands of years ago before it was practiced by religious faith communities and cultures around the world.

From the book of Ani in the Medu Neter (the original African Kemetic Egyptian words for hieroglyphics) it states, “pour libation for your father and mother who rest in the valley of the dead. God will witness your action and accept it. Do not forget to do this even when you are away from home. For as you do for your parents, your children will do for you also.”

This piece of Medu Neter has been translated into English in the book called-Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt on page 53, written by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Dr. Karenga is the professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. But he is also the founder of the Kwanzaa holiday and Kawaida philosophy.

During his activist days, Dr. Karenga co-founded the Us Organization-a revolutionary cultural nationalist Black Power movement established on September 7, 1965 in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Karenga is also the creator of Kawaida. It is a Kiswahili word meaning "tradition" and "reason," pronounced ka-wa-EE-da. He defines Kawaida as, "a communitarian African (Afrikan is the Kiswahili way for writing African) philosophy created in the context of the African (Afrikan) American liberation struggle and developed as an ongoing synthesis of the best of African (Afrikan) thought and practice in constant exchange with the world." Kawaida is the foundation for Kwanzaa - a Pan African centered holiday celebrated from December 26 to January 1.

Each day represents a principle of the Nguzu Saba (Kiswahili for seven principles) of Kwanzaa. For example, day 1 of Kwanzaa, one says Habari Gani (Kiswahili for what's the news). The response should be Umoja (Kiswahili) for unity-to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race. Day 2 of Kwanzaa, one says Harbari Gani. The response should be Kujichagulia (Kiswahili) for self-determination-to define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves instead of being, name, created for and spoken for by others. Day 3 of Kwanzaa, one says Harbari Gani. The response should be Ujima (Kiswahili) for collective work and responsibility- to build and maintain our community together and make our sister's and brother's problems our problems and to solve them together. Day 4 of Kwanzaa, one should say Habari Gani. The response should be Ujamaa (Kiswahili) for cooperative economics-to build and maintain our own stores, shop and other businesses and to profit from them together. Day 5 of Kwanzaa, one should say Habari Gani. The response should be Nia (Kiswahili) for purpose-to make our collective vocation the building and developing our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness. Day 6 of Kwanzaa, one should say Habari Gani. The response should be Kuumba (Kiswahili) for creativity-to do always as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it. Day 7 of Kwanzaa, one should say Habari Gani. The response should be Imani (Kiswahili) for faith-to believe with all our heart in our people, our parents, our teachers, our leaders, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Kwanzaa is celebrated by millions of Black people from around the world. Its central feature is paying homage to the Ancestors by pouring libation on the very first day of Kwanzaa to honor their sacrifices for the empowerment and liberation of the masses of Black people.

Although the ancient Kemites (Egyptians) are gone from that land in North Africa, you can still see this tradition of pouring libation to ancestors in every Black culture in Africa and throughout the African diaspora. The ancient Kemites were forced from their homeland by invaders, such as Assyrians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, and Arabs through the centuries, but their cultural traditions are actively living on in humanity.

Just a piece of African history (Black History) and culture for the people.

Shem Hotep (an ancient African Kemetic / Medu Neter / Egyptian phrase for I go in peace)!

-Bashir Muhammad Ptah Akinyele is a community activist, a member of the Muslim community in New Jersey, and a member of ASCAC (the Association for the Study of Classical African Civilizations). He is also a history and Africana Studies (Black Studies ) teacher at Weequahic High School in Newark, NJ.

As Salaamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuh (Arabic for May the peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you)!

Hotep (an ancient African Kemetic / Medu Neter / Egyptian word for Peace)!

P.E.A.C.E. (Proper Education Always Corrects Errors)!