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Our Identity Crisis

Mon, 12 Feb 2007 23:24:35 GMT

Our Identity Crisis

"If you don't know who you are, anyone can name you; and if anyone can name you, you will answer to anything" African Proverb

If you do not tell the truth about yourself
you cannot tell it about other people.

Virginia Woolf

Many of our people have no earthly clue who they are, and what they are. I find this issue very disconcerting coming from a people who descend from greatness, not to mention, one of the oldest cultures known to mankind.

Some of our women are content to be referred to as "my baby momma," "bitch" and other derogatory terms of today.

We have no problem with calling each other "nigger," validating for those who oppressed us that we are as they say we are.

In cases where there is abuse, children and their mothers will answer to anything the abuser calls them, no matter how bad and degrading to stay safe. This causes injuries to the psyche when nothing positive is there to balance out the negative.

In the Western Orisa, African Spiritualist community, where I have been an initiated Priestess almost 15 years, the identity crisis is evident there as well. Female initiates of Ifa (which I am) are not happy unless they are called "Iyanifa" and feel as if they are equal to male initiates of Ifa, the Babalawo. Iyanifa is a conferred title, which is not common at home, and given to outstanding servants of Ifa who has devoted their lives to Orunmila. You may meet one of these women and never know who they are.

We have other Sistahs so out of touch with reality, they name themselves "goddesses."

What's wrong with us? Do you know who you are? Are you willing to put in the work and time it takes to go within to find your true self? But again I ask, who are you?

Each of us, through either drama or trauma must confront who they are and go within to find their true selves. The search for our identity can be difficult as many of us face unpleasant truths and many more lies about ourselves, and realize labels have been imposed upon us without our permission and have controlled our lives, our souls, the very essence of whom we are.

If you don't like who you are, to the degree that you allow others to define you or create an identity that is not the real you, you are not living your best life . . . you are living the life of someone else. If this is happening, you have to confront you. Your past and present circumstances must be carefully examined with a licensed professional. There is no shame in your game to seek help to live your best life. What no longer serves you, or those things you are wrongly renting head space to must go in order for you to heal.

To say to yourself and others that you are a "mind with a body," a "spiritual being," "a part of the great I AM," you are indeed facing an identity crisis and your soul is in need of emergency intervention because you are unaware of your true self. Your soul cries out for the you that decided to come here. Go deep within to find you and work on you.

Know that with the help of our Creator, all things are possible, even finding the you He created, your true, authentic self.

Ase

Princess Adinasse

Friday, November 04, 2005

Fri, 04 Nov 2005 00:22:08 GMT

thought I would allow you to see the difference in conferring a "title" on someone versus "restoration". We are asking for reconciliation, restoration and reparations. We need to know what those terms mean in the real world.

My US liason, an Afrikan who happens to be a well respected scholar provided this explanation for individuals who are working with me. My life was turned upside down the moment I was restored. I have no regrets but that our people understand the importance of what my restoration and coronation means for us as a people.

Many of you have seen our people return from Afrika with "titles". Some return to Afrika, some don't. Not many actually have duties to go along with those titles, and those that do don't take them seriously.

For instance, if someone is a "Chief" they are one of a few "chiefs" in a particular kingdom. If they return to the US, they are bound by duty to do what they can to help their kingdom in their capacity as Chief. If someone tells you they are chief, ask them how their kingdom is doing...ask them what they have done for their kingdom lately.

Here is the explanation of what happened with me. Understand, I had my reconciliation with my ancestors first, then I was restored. I then repatriated because of the duties I carry as a Princess and member of a Royal House. My next stop...reparations! They owe me BIG time. I even have access to the name I had in the lifetime I was stolen.

==========

TITLES – referred to as “chieftaincy
titles” - are conferred on meritorious and
deserving sons and daughters of a community. These
‘titles’ were mistakenly read (by
Europeans) as “conferment of an honor” and
“power” (and is being very much abused as
such in many communities these days), when in reality
these “chiefs” are actually state
functionaries - people who perform certain public
functions for the community.

For example, a particular “chief’ may be
the guardian of the town or village gates; another may
be entrusted with communal ceremonies and observances,
another, usually a woman in Yoruba communities, would
be the “Iyaloja” – ‘mother of
the market’, the person entrusted with
regulating economic activities of buying and selling
in the markets, etc., and maintaining the physical
structures. Lesser “chiefs” function at
the ward level or clan level.

These chieftaincies, are, as a rule, only recognized
within the kingdoms that confer them, though such
chiefs would be treated with appropriate protocol,
were they to go visiting in other kingdoms. They are
not hereditary.

RESTORATION – is however a much rarer
occurrence, and occurs as a rule only in royal lines,
and in one or two other “chieftaincy”
lines that are hereditary, for example the
“Jomo” among some Yoruba kingdoms.

Restoration is carried out to “restore” a
person (actually his or her lineage) back to the
lineage of those who may again become
“oba” – the ‘king’
– in the affected community, since the position
of “royalty” actually revolves among three
to four families in most Yoruba kingdoms.

This arrangement was to forestall that one family
would become two strong or too powerful, and have too
much of a sway in the community.

Thus a lineage that may have lost its rights to the
obaship – usually through wars, invasion by an
external group, rebellion during the reign of a family
member, or, as in the case of the ceremony for
Princess Adinasse, for a lineage that may have been
separated by the infamous Trans-Atlantic trade, and
therefore lost their right to ascend to throne.

To the best of my knowledge, this would be the first
use of RESTORATION rites to link an African in the
Diaspora with the African lineage they left behind
back in Africa by employing traditional restoration
rites, rather than relying solely on legal documents,
etc.

RESTORATION has the added advantage that a person thus
restored back to his or her royal lineage would also
eventually gain the recognition of the other Yoruba
kingdoms – all other things being equal.

Thursday, July 14, 2005

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 17:26:35 GMT

I am going to go into the roles the Mind, Body and Spirit play in holistic health.

I learned a few good lessons in Africa and healthier ways that we can live in balance and harmony.

Mind:

None of us have to have extensive knowledge of physiology to realize the intricate functioning of systems that goes on within the human body. These various systems work so wonderfully together and only a Black God could have created such a work of art.

We incorrectly give the wrong nomenclature to “Mind” having it meaning how the brain functions. But the Mind is also the place hat controls our thoughts and memories. This is where decisions are made and this is where higher thought processes occur.

Not only do our bodies need to be well functioning, but our minds do as well. The Mind is nourished by our blood system and it requires at least a quarter of the oxygen in our blood system to keep it well nourished.

We each need to remember that our mind is Ase or Power.

Just as our body can become a trash can from abuse, the mind could also become cluttered with irrelevant, counter--productive, disininformation that creates unintelligible processing, like a wayward computer. These are instances where unpleasant memories, suppressed anger, fears, resentment, false assumptions, negative self concepts, denial and revenge break through the subconscious and surface, handicapping us from thinking positively and constructively.

The mind can be controlled just like the body can be controlled. No outside intervention is necessary. You can control your mind by conscious choice of positive thoughts.

Tuesday, July 12, 2005

Tue, 12 Jul 2005 03:31:44 GMT

“The man who first honored, has honored himself”

~~ Afrikan Proverb

Although I am now a woman with a great many titles and honors bestowed upon me, the one title or honor bestowed was the one I chose from Orun, WOMAN. The title of life in Aiye as a woman, my own personal me is the one I value the most.

Oftentimes, we scream, and sometimes rightfully so, for others to respect us. We will defend our right to be respected so much so, that man f us will kill or maim at the thought we might be “dissed”.

I’ve always stressed in my teachings that we should first hold close our own personal self before expecting anyone else to do it for you. We cannot and should not expect others to do what we will not do for ourselves. The hip hop group ‘Goodie Mob” hit it on the head whey they said of the Black Woman, “you’ve got to respect yourself before I can”, meaning the Black woman needed to have self esteem and respect for her individual self before she could expect anyone else to do it for her.

We really don’t need titles to define us. They are not really necessary. I felt the same after each title was bestowed upon me and tried my level best to fit in the footsteps they represented. Did any of them change my thought processes in the moment? Nope.

Self esteem is something we are born with, along with dignity, honor. These attributes are soon replaced by our environment with negative images. These images are lies designed to create a state of imbalance within us. Over time, the shame and degradation we’ve been taught takes hold and pervades the very essence of who we really are. We begin to dishonor that which was mean to be honored and disrespect that which was made to be respected…ourselves.

Answer this question for me….how does it really feel deep down inside that part of you where no one gets to do but you when others want you to be something you are not, or they want to impose their own version of who you are upon you? Really Sistahs, does it feel good to you? No, it really does not, but we buy the lie every time and try to live up to the expectations of some who don’t know who they are. The line will always change with these people and you will continue to stay out of balance when you deal with these unbalanced people. Remember, your own defining factor or equation should first include YOU. Only other women can define a woman. Once we can take in that piece we are on the road to healing. No man can define a woman. This is one reason I am a proponent of traditional Women and Men’s Societies.

By losing or being conditioned to be someone else, we no longer respect or try to elevate our own essence and the person we are no longer stares back at us in the mirror. You might ask me how does one change this? Well here is one thought:

There has been no greater crime than our legacy of self hate. The result is that we have begun to pursue external validation as opposed to embracing the essence of ourselves. We begin the transformation process and bond with our soul, we begin to attain a state of balance. We then go from helpless with no knowledge of self to a state of power and awareness that we have a higher purpose in this lifetime. We begin to move toward that place where we no one’s opinion but our own matters to us. Internal honor outweighs all else.

Ashe

Tuesday, July 05, 2005

Tue, 05 Jul 2005 15:07:34 GMT

Her Grace will not have time to post her essays. But that does not stop her from writing when she gets a chance! I'll be posting for her until that pie in the sky day comes that Princess Adinasse has time!

---------

June 10, 2005 marked the beginning of a new era for African peoples world wide. On that historic day, in Ketu, West Africa, Iya l’Orisa Ademidemeji was crowned by the His Royal Highness, the Oba/King of Ketu as Omo Alade Obinrin Ademide Adinasse. The new Princess’ traditional Coronation sparked no dissension and was part of her personal ancestral reconciliation. Her Coronation was not only supported by the ancestors and divinities, but the Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Elders and the people of Ketu and Benin. Her Royal Grace, Princess Ademide Adinasse was emotional as the colorful festivities and ceremony took place at the Royal House in Ketu, on the grounds where her own ancient ancestors once stood. Her Grace says they had to keep telling her all the festivities were all for her. She tells us of the feeling of coming home as the crown was restored in her blood lineage. The new Princess was regaled by many who came out to celebrate her homecoming, including the traditional drumming, Egungun Masquerade, Gelede dancers, along with the traditional dances by the women of the community and other traditional singing and dancing. Not long after the entertainment, His Royal Highness, The King himself took the hand of “Omo Oba Adinasse” (Child of the King) and proudly took her to places of interest to her and her blood lineage.

The celebration of Princess Ademide’s homecoming actually began in the days before her arrival in Benin. It had been determined prior to her arrival, the Iya was a returning ancestor who was actually taken from what was once Dahomey, and was the first of the royal bloodlines to return. She is the second Dahomian to return home. A chilling story was told of a woman in the village who, in another lifetime remembers seeing Her Grace being taken away by the traders and being helpless to do anything. This elder is now in her 90’s and celebrated the truth of the oracle that she would know of the return of Her Royal Grace in this lifetime.

Princess Ademide Adinasse was bestowed the name “Adinasse” in remembrance of an ancestral mother who fought against white people and fiercely fought to uphold African traditional ways. The name “Adinasse” also means “one who follows the guidance of her ancestors” and “one who will be a reference for those who come behind”. Her Grace Ademide Adinasse is known the world over for steadfastly holding tight herself to traditional ways and her very strong and sometimes fiery position that whites not be allowed into African Traditional Religion. Princess Adinasse was bestowed personal ancestral lands to build her family compound and will live much of the year in Benin. She is also in a position to ask for lands for the building of a resettlement.

In the days leading to her Coronation, Her Grace Ademide Adinasse learned of her personal ancestry. She too learned that she is as well as a descendant of the Royal House in Oyo State, Nigeria. She is truly Sango’s child! Her Grace tells us that in many ways, she felt like a fairy Princess in waiting, she was treated so well. Native fruits such as pineapple, oranges, mango and bananas were always awaiting her upon her awakening, and clothing fit for a Royal Princess was laid out in her room.

In her ancestral village of Aguidibaoun, Benin, West Africa, prior to her coronation, amidst more emotional celebrations, Princess Ademide was entitled as a Chief of the Village and made the historic walk to the “Wall Of Lamentations” which had been built by the people of Benin in remembrance of family members sold and stolen into what Her Grace now refers to as “genocide”. She cautions me to not allow the white man to get off easily by simply saying “slavery”. Her Grace will go into that further on another day in an interview detailing her spiritual quest, reconciliation and restoration of all that was taken from her blood lineage. She tells the story of the elders telling her that 21 generations of her ancestors have been lovingly cared for by the members of the village. Princess Ademide vows to not only have an active part in this labor of love, but to bury as many of her own family members who transitioned this life in the Diaspora next to their African Ancestors. She says she was humbled by the trust placed in her and could not help crying tears of joy as the elders in the Village shed their own tears of promises coming true and ancestors returning.

Later, during her visit, Her Grace was led by other Elders and Chiefs down the road where she was dragged so many lifetimes ago, to the auction block where she and others were sold. On the beach in Ouidah, Benin, West Africa, stands a monument to the millions who crossed the Atlantic against their will which is called the “Point Of No Return”. On that beach is also a pit into which those who had died in the cages awaiting the return of the slave ships for the passage and those too weak to make the trip. An emotional Princess was able to take the historic walk though the arch, coming home, as a sign that one who was taken had returned.

Her Grace has told me that does not take her titles lightly and will be pro-active in her approach to all issues pertaining to the world wide African family with her new international platform. The Princess plans to build a village for the resettlement of Diasporic Africans who wish to return home and to continue to build the bridge between the Diaspora and the Mother. The elders let her know in the strongest language possible they wish for the return of all Diasporic Africans and have prayed for 500 years for this to happen.

Their prayers were answered in the form of a woman on fire, for her people, Her Royal Grace Ademide Adinasse.

She will also be importing African goods for sale at the on-line Marketplace she founded, as Oloja Ademidemeji, ‘Owner” of the Market.

Dr. Ansari will advise the Princess on matters relating to the resettlement of our people and Her Royal Grace will work within the boundaries set forth by the ancestors, Crowns, Tribal Chiefs and Elders to make this village a reality. She is also looking for educators, real estate developers and others who can assist in helping to bridge the gap. We are hopeful to be able to catch up with Her Grace to bring her story to the airwaves, with Dr. Ansari, Dr. Imani Nkita and others who can shed light on what all of this means for those of us still struggling in the belly of the beast. Her Royal Grace also hopes to take her personal case to the World Court for redress.

In 2006, there will be a Reconciliation and Restoration Conference on the East Coast and in the summer of 2006, Afrikan Sistahs will hold it’s first global Afrikan Sistahs Congress. We want African Women all over the globe to take part in this historic web cast to set an agenda for ourselves. No nation can rise higher than it’s women.

For more information, you may contact me at ChemaRodriguiz@yahoo.com or Iyalode Asekunle at Iyalode1045@yahoo.com

###

Thursday, June 02, 2005

Thu, 02 Jun 2005 03:59:12 GMT

If the load is too heavy for someone to carry, one would be better off to give the load to the ground to carry.

Afrikan proverb.

We are going to take this step by step my beloveds. Ifa says it is bit by bit that we eat the head of the rat, meaning that all things take time. There is no magic wand that can be waved over us to fix our souls. Working through the issues that have us behind the eight ball on this planet takes time, effort, commitment and above all courage. There are no shortcuts which will affect a lasting cure. If the commitment is there, the only thing we can do is to take it as it comes, identify the emotions that surface, and take deep cleansing breaths.

Worrying about how to meet the goals we set for this procees does us no good. It sets us up for failure. Carrying tomorrow’s burden in the moment is what many of us have been used to doing. However brainwashed many of us are, those of us who have subscribed to the white man’s bible don’t really adhere to it’s precepts. We don’t really believe that we should not worry about what tomorrow brings because deep within we know Jesus is not working for us. I know he never worked for this Black woman. But a Sistah digresses. When we borrow from the future, it leaves no quality time for the present. One always chases their tail when they buy into this line of thinking. It serves no good purpose other than to keep you where you are.

Burn the shackles on your mind that will lead you to liberation of not only your mind, but your heart, soul and body. If it no longer serves you and your growth and ultimately our people it needs to be burned by the flames of Shango.

Sunday, May 29, 2005

Sun, 29 May 2005 19:53:10 GMT

The tree that cannot shed its old leaves in the dry season, cannot survive the period of drought

Afrikan proverb

It is the dawning of a new year.in Yorubaland, Nigeria, West Afrika. In my reality, it is time for us as the descendants of the Afrikan to begin to heal ourselves along with working to reclaim home. It is not possible for us to honestly think we can collect reparations or seek liberation from oppression if our souls are diseased. Each of us should be encouraged to look within and pull up the power of our Blackness and embrace it.

Along with our inherent power, we have the power of our Afrikan ancestors to call upon. We have their Gods who are waiting for us to call upon them and seek their guidance. Separation from our culture has rendered us powerless which has led to sheer hopelessness that things would change. We are unable to go deep within to find the truth about who we are because we are disconnected from our own reality as a people. Unfortunately, many of us have found some measure of comfort in our circumstances. This has led to a false sense of security that may ultimately destroy us completely. I am encouraging you to educate, not assimilate. Education is the key to destroying the myths about who we are.

Beginning the process of finding the power in our Blackness can be tough. We have to look at the variables that have formulated our thought processes. Defining our individual selves and loving it is the key to unlock the chains on our minds, bodies and souls. We need to shed those parts of us that no longer serve us, to give way to growth, a necessary ingredient to our very survival. The shedding or transformation process should include ways for us to continue to be fertile in all aspects of our lives. Over the course of the next year, I invite each of you to journey into the recesses of your mind, dive deep in your beautiful Black souls and come up for air at the end of this year with a renewed sense of self. I hope that the fire within each of our souls is lit to the degree that our faith in ourselves, our people and our Ancestors will burn our enemies and set us free.

Ase

Sunday, May 22, 2005

Sun, 22 May 2005 10:39:43 GMT

It's been so long since I've written anything! I've been so busy healing and pulling it together and actually taking some time for me! That felt right...time for me. Oh, since the last time I wrote, I've gained two beautiful granddaughters! They are 4 and 7 years old and I am loving being grandma!

How that happened is another story entirely and part of my own personal transformation process. The situation was one that I had to definitely take deep breaths and move through ok? I' ain't never lied on that one. But I'm glad I did.

I'm rethinking and retooling my health and wellness tool. We often think of health and nutrition alone when we think of holistic living. I'm here to tell you that my godfather in his wisened ways taught me well. "Everything must have two legs" he taught me in the words of Ifa. That means there must be BALANCE in everything. Eating healthy means not a damn thing if you think unhealthy thoughts, live in a stressful environment or are too destracted to take care of your spirit. Mind, Body and Spirit is a triad that must be balanced at all times if you are going to live on this planet.

Friday, February 11, 2005

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 02:24:43 GMT

When I was first initiated into the Yoruba Priesthood, divination determined that I had been taken advantage of most of my life. I was told that I had given and given and given and did not know how NOT to give. Life is funny that way. We have the givers and the takers. Those of us who give bascially sacrifice our own lives so the takers can live.

I was also told that I could not be in any relationship, personal, friend, business or what have you that was not reciprical. I am learning why that is. When we are in relationships with people who don't give back, basically what happens is that they spend YOU to save themselves. I find that my friends, relatives and others in my life who can't or won't give back are the walking wounded. These would be the people who will never be there for you, but will tell YOU that YOU must be there for them. Most of these people have fooled themselves into believing, really believing they are correct and they have the absolute right to all your have emotionally and spiritually, but they don't have to give you a damned thing because guess what?? To them, the world OWES them!

I've learned that my real friends and family are those who are there for me through it all. You should learn that lesson as well. If you are not laughing and enjoying life and you spend the majority of your time alone, without those who are supposed to be there for you, then as a wonderful friend of mine says, they "are not there". He once told me "if I can't feel you, then you are not there". I did not understand his statement in the moment, but I do now. Emotional detachment is devastaing to those of us who count on that piece for our support. Everyone who says they are there for you are just not. Every relationship you are in, whether it be family, friend or personal, is not a two way street. There is not always reciprocity. You may want to think they are, but check the track record. When you've needed them the most, where are they, or have you had to beg them to be there? If you had to beg and they did not offer, then let'em go!

It's all about balance.

Friday, February 11, 2005

Fri, 11 Feb 2005 02:15:12 GMT

Sometimes we have to take deep breaths. Breathing is vital to survival. When you are 'in the moment' it is hard to think of life beyond that time, so you need to breathe in order to stay alive.