On BA Rites & Rituals (Oldie but a Goodie Uploaded 1/18/2019) 

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I think we don't even realize that we are practicing traditions and rituals w/o even knowing it. Those "habits" we saw our great-grandmothers and grandmothers do is rooted in spiritual rites, practices and rituals. And it has become so custom to us we didn't recognize that these "habits" are actually traditional rites and rituals. As you said, we often just didn't have a name for it. Our BA traditions, spirituality and rituals aren't looked at in an equivalent manner as other ethnic & national groups. It's minimized. Even ridiculed. Or passed off. And I think that's just rooted in the typical way anything involving us is devalued. One of my favorite shows, P-Valley, really has been spotlighting Southern spiritual, traditional practices. Recently just dedicated an episode to root work - healing. Katori has really been a cultural warrior (as you mentioned w/ the art museum) with her art through this series. To add to what you said on centering a Black gaze from a Black non-DACS experience: This Juneteenth, I've realized how much we've collectively adopted the Pan-African flag and colors to represent the holiday versus using the official Juneteenth Flag from Ben Haith. It's like cultural BA traditions can't stand alone. I'm hoping that changes over time as we all continue to learn.

The book rituals of resistance: African Atlantic religion in Congo And the Lowcountry in the era of slavery by Jason R. Young is a good read . If you looking into black American rites and rituals

I find it interesting that Black Americans not only have to contend with the "white gaze" but a from of "Continental African / POC gaze" that we have to unlearn as well We find ourselves at a very unique intersection of disparagement form all sides

I want to add to your analysis (because I am old enough to remember) that the root work of the South and Caribbeans as used to heal illnesses also made us sick. The concentration of lead in our bodies, I observe, comes from more than environmental racism it’s also a result of “home remedies “

Hoodoo was suppressed purposefully but tends to come back in waves during times of adversity. I believe we're currently in a hoodoo resurgence, whether we call it that or not

Fantastic video. This is why I'm glad S2 of PValley is exploring these traditions and adding them to the show. It fits in perfectly

I remember that conversation, and I appreciate the insight that forced me to expand my mindset and also inform myself on our own spiritual roots and practices. I have grown from many topics you've discussed on your channel. That was definitely one . Again Thanks!

Love you Seren!!!❤️ This video was GREAT! as always. Now let's talk about it! I'm glad you pointed this out. A lot of Caribbean culture was cultivated out of Slavery. Just like Education and language religion was equally outlawed and slaves were encouraged to convert to Christianity. What I've always found crazy is that a lot not all of the enslaved Africans that came to the Caribbean were Muslims and lot us don't talk about the Arabic slave trade before the trans Atlantic slave trade. As a Caribbean American I can definitely tell you that the morjority of Caribbean people aren't into African spirituality like that due to the heavy indoctrination of Christianity. I definitely feel like Caribbean ppl are superstitious ppl but in the last generation or so not so much now. Some of the stuff you mentioned Caribbean ppl are also superstitious about like opening umbrellas indoors, walking on glass etc. I got a interesting one for you. My mom told me my grandma use to make her and her siblings walk into their house backwards so evil spirits wouldn't follow them. This isn't something my grandma or mother ever made me do so it's not even something I teach my son. Caribbean ppl are big on leaving shoes outside before coming into someone house whether that's on the porch or lawn cuz they want evil spirits in their house....HOWEVER I feel like nowadays they do it because shoes are just dirty from walking outside. I've always been into AA Literature and folklore so I found it interesting that ppl really believe that ADOS don't have their folklore and superstitions (culture). Education is key!! I've noticed that with the diaspora folks be IGNORANT. Haitian people speak creole I use to think Haitian people were great with French till I started hanging around them and noticed they suck with French 🤣 they know a few words but holding a conversation in French...a lot of them can't do. Funny you brought up language cuz AA got their own language as well. I found this out a few Years back like 2019 and I was like damn. That's cool. Ppl need to educate themselves. Anyways imma stop there cuz this comment is getting kinda long. But S/O to Seren!!!!

Thanks!

Seren you're back!!! Missed you sis 💕

Comment by @Breakthrough Moment (for some reason the RU-vid algorithm keeps marking it as spam and removing it): “Yes, we certainly do have our own culture. Black Americans gave Jazz to the world, a high art form born out of the Black experience on this North American continent (not imported from Europe); and Kwanza was a valiant attempt at cultural cohesion. We may have lost that religious and linguistic “overlay” that binds a culture, and some of our ancestral customs and traditions, but we are not cultureless.”

Your videos never get old, although I am sometimes late to the party lol. Hope everything's well :)

Great Information on Black Americans and different cultures. Love it!

Omg I needed this

Christianity has been ion the African Continent since the century AD….

Something I've always been interested in outside of our own religious traditions is how much our black American ancestors adopted other religious beliefs after being brought to America that weren't the big 3 Christianity, Islam and judaism), Like the belief or being "two-spirited" from native american or therian.

I enjoy these videos because of the introspective view on bpoc cultures as how doacs have their own practices. Thanks for the info. Been watching since 2014

❤🖤💛

Beautiful woman

I don't think Christianity can be called a colonizer religion where Africa is concerned. Christianity has existed in Africa since the 1st century and many of the earliest and most important church fathers (e.g. Tertullian, Athanasius, Origen, Augustine) were African.

Unimportant but you pronounced transmutation and clairaudience just fine. They're odd words lol

Skeleto key,REVENGE😂😂😂😂😂😂

Thanks!