Morning Tradition

5th January, 2022

Good day Read stars. Today is another beautiful day of the first month January, 2022. I hope you are having good times in this new year in good health as well. Today I will share with you the morning tradition in my town and village. Although, not practiced by everybody but by majority. It is a believe people from my town and village inherited from our four-fathers. It has been done long before since I was born and now till the future.

It is natural to sleep and wake up as every creature experiences day and night. When the night falls and it is time to sleep, we wish everyone we could see a good night and the person replies: ‘good nights too; see you tomorrow’. This is done in every part of the world. Every night all around the world, we in one way or the other have a good night wish to another.

In my part of the world; Africa, we wish the same goodnight after a long day with work and stress and in the morning as well after we awake, there are things I see some elders do, I see them always do this in the morning. This words they say and the little acts attached to this tradition is what I am talking about and want to share with you.

The first is “Morning prayer”

Our society today is so religious. The church is everywhere and with many worshippers and believers. The same way, there are other religions too in my town. One of them in highlight is traditional religion. In my town every morning, as early as five o’clock, Christians are in there place of worship; the church, saying their morning prayers and offering thanksgiving to their God. In the same way, the Muslims are reciting their Quran and saying their prayers to their Allah.

Traditionalists are seen visiting their shrine and offering their morning sacrifices to their gods. They do this in person as they make this practice. I remember visiting a neighboring town some years ago, they were Christians but surrounded by them are all traditionalists. These traditionalists have series of shrine in their compound and every morning, they pay a visit to them.

Incantations

This is so common among these traditionalists. They never spent a whole day without saying series of word that is confusing to my hearing. Even before visiting the shrine, they say those words to themselves and I remember hearing a man saying that the incantations is as important as you rain down blessings on yourself and bless your day with it. So, for them, it not just the incantation but the blessings that they proclaim.

Some also believe that through this incantation and chanting of words in the air, they reverse any evil plotted by their enemies on them. All these are done by the traditionalist daily.

Kola nut

The use of kola nut in traditional prayers is so common. This seed is always with them. It almost impossible to say that they could entire life without kola nut

Kola nut is widely consumed in Africa by both men and women. It cone in different sizes and shape. This seed when broken can be of different number of pieces. Some when broken fall into two pieces some three, four and five. Traditionally, these men believe that any piece it falls into has a meaning and a reason at the time it is broken.

In rare times, this kola nut can’t be broken because it has no piece; it is a whole single piece. This type is so rare as there is a believe that it has a super power and can be used for higher purposes.

During incantations, this seed is broken and some are thrown to the ground as offering to the gods and their fore-fathers. After which the incantatory takes his own piece and keep some. This seed they also use at the face of danger inviting their ancestors to protect them and many other practices.

Palm wine

This is a wine gotten naturally from palm trees. A very rich wine liked and consumed by almost all Africans. This wine is so much used for ceremonials. During the morning prayers by the traditionalists, they take a sip and pour out some to the air. This is just a common practice among them.

Before taking this fresh palm wine, they fill it into a cup and make some droplets on the ground before drinking. The attitude of dropping a bit of whatever they want to eat on the floor first, extend past the morning practice. Anytime even outside their home, they observe this attitude. Palm wine can be replaced with any other strong wine and it must be alcoholic.

Final thoughts

Our belief system varies; man has a different believe system. This difference reflects in our attitude and behaviours, in what we say and as well in our relationship with others. Every belief has its beauty and can be used as an instrument of peace in our society. This is how it is done in my town. I am a Christian but I found myself amidst different other religion. We co-operate and live well but when it comes to the hour of worship, then we know where we belong. I like tradition so much and I believe everyone has a traditional history.

Thank you all for reading and I wish you a lovely day today.

COPYRIGHT@J.MATTY 2022. ALL RIGHT RESERVED.

All words are from the author unless otherwise stated!

Wishing you a happy NEW YEAR!

Image credit: from unsplash