Spirituality, the quest for God and to seek succor or protection in the supernatural is as old as humanity. One of the old religious books, the Jewish Torah, (the Christian Old Testament) has countless examples of rituals, sacrifices and practices expressing spirituality. There is the application of sacrificial blood, a primary physical act used for spiritual and physical protection. The Bible says that “the life of the flesh is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11). Because blood represents life, Jehovah established it as a visual barrier against judgment, plagues, and spiritual uncleanliness.
The most prominent protection ritual in the Old Testament occurs during the first Passover of Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 12). Israelites slaughtered a spotless lamb and wiped its blood on the tops and sides of their wooden doorframes. It physically blocked the “Destroyer” from entering their houses. The plague of death bypassed every blood-covered home.
Furthermore, in Leviticus 16, the High Priest performed an annual ritual to protect the entire nation from the spiritual consequences of sin. The priest sprinkled sacrificial blood onto the “Mercy Seat” (the lid of the Ark of the Covenant) inside the Holy of Holies. This ritual shielded the nation from divine wrath. It allowed God’s presence to safely remain among them for another year.
Also, in Exodus 24&29, blood was used to physically seal the Jews into God’s protective covenant. Moses sprinkled sacrificial blood directly onto people (Exodus 24:8) to bind them to God’s law and protection. During ordination, sacrificial blood was applied to the right earlobe, right thumb, and right big toe of the priests (Exodus 29:20). This ritually purified their actions, thoughts, and steps, protecting them as they handled holy objects. The Jews still practise these rituals till today.
It is important to know that the nation of Israel learnt these spiritual practices from Africa. Moses their first prophet and priest grew up in Egypt, the ancient Egypt which black people established. Moses learnt these spiritual principles and practices from the ancestors of we the black people and handed them to Israel as God’s instructions. From this Jewish spirituality came Christianity and Islam.
Nevertheless, at no time did Jesus say this African spirituality which the Jews learnt is a sin and must be abolished or those who practise it will go to hell fire. He said in Matthew 5:17 that he has not come to abolish the prophets and the law but to fulfill (practise) them. And Jesus indeed practised them but with more emphasis on mercy or compassion.
Therefore, it is ignorance to believe that it is a sin to engage in sacrifices and spiritual fortification which Almighty God gave to our African ancestors who were the first set of human beings on earth and who taught the Jews and others the spirituality they all have today. And that ignorance could be fatal if your life is under threat and you don’t have power.
Furthermore, anyone who says our traditional priests or doctors are satanic or demonic is ignorant or misinformed or mischievous. We were deceived by the foreigners, either intentionally or inadvertently by preachers of Christianity and Islam. They demonized our spirituality and discouraged us from practising it so we could accept the religion they brought. It was a strategy to control us and rule over us. And as we can see, the more we embrace the beliefs of foreign religions, the more vulnerable and powerless we become. Now, bandits and terrorists are invading our lands, going inside the churches, mosques to kidnap, rape and kill us, both Christians and Muslims alike.
Nevertheless, one thing is certain, no nation, race or religion has exclusive access to God. Before the Jewish nation was formed, long before Christianity and Islam were established, prophets and priests of God have existed and more ancient tribes like those in Africa have related to God Almighty.
For instance, Balaam was a prominent non-Israelite prophet, diviner, and soothsayer from Mesopotamia who appears primarily in chapters 22–24 of the Old Testament Book of Numbers. He was not a Jew, he didn’t worship
God the way Israelites did, he didn’t keep the laws of Moses, he wasn’t a Christian, he wasn’t a Muslim, but it was said that he was a prophet of God and whatever he said came to pass. He was powerful enough that the children of Israel feared him and God had to make him not to curse the Jews.
Another example is Melchizedek, he is one of the most enigmatic and spiritually significant figures in the Bible. He held the dual roles of both a king and a priest long before the traditional Israelite priesthood was ever established. He was not a Jew, not a Christian, but in a massive sign of spiritual submission, Abraham the father of Jews gave Melchizedek a tenth (a tithe) of all the spoils from the battle, recognizing Melchizedek’s spiritual authority. In addition, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law was called the priest of Midian whom Moses learnt priestly leadership from. Midianites were not Jews.
These examples show that the Almighty relates to each society through some spiritually inspired, gifted and empowered people from that same society. And the spirituality, priesthood or prophethood of any nation does not invalidate, relegate or cancel out the spirituality or prophethood or priesthood of others. God deals with each nation in a unique way with respect to the nation’s realities and needs. So, Christianity or Islam cannot and should not erode our faith in African spirituality, it should not detach us from the faith of our fathers. African spirituality responded to and handled the realities and needs of our ancestors. It is our connection to the Almighty and in it we will find our answers. A river, as long as it remembers its source will not run dry.
So, let no one ridicule our traditional priests, seers in Africa who even lead a spirituality that is more ancient and earlier than the spirituality of any human race. A spirituality is bad only if it destroys lives, but if it saves lives, if it protects, if it works, if it loves, if it is kind, it is good, it is divine, it is holy. Our babalawos, native doctors are our own prophets and priests, let’s embrace them, promote them, refine their practices and tap from their spiritual enlightenment and power for our own good.
Spiritual protection is not only in chanting Psalms, verses of the Quran or Bible, it is not only in positive confession or prayer, it is in having real physical ammunitions and active spiritual fortification. It is not a sin to have ayẹta, okígbẹ́, gbètugbètu, ọ̀wò̩, ọfẹ, egbé, àfẹ́ẹ̀rí, etc. These are fortifications revealed to our ancestors by the Almighty God, Almighty Allah. Having them does not stop us from worshipping God the way we want to as Christians or Muslims. African spirituality has never been religion specific or intolerant. Our ancestors worship God through different intermediaries or belief systems. They understood God can be accessed through diverse means and they explored whatever worked or solved their problems. We also need to revive that same spirit most especially at this time.
So, as you go to church or mosque to pray, also consult your babalawo, traditional priest or native doctor. As you hold your Bible or Quran in one hand, get your traditional bulletproof and ammunitions for your spiritual fortification. Memorize some incantations too just as you memorize Psalms or Ayat. Be proud of it. Let no one shame you or scare you with hell fire.
May the ancestors be with you, may the Almighty be with you. Amen. Remain blessed.
Seun Idowu Writes From Lagos
