From Musoni to Mpemba and Luvemba: Decoding the Bantu-Kongo Cycles of Time
INTRODUCTION The Bantu-Kongo time concept, deeply embedded within the cultural, spiritual, and cosmological practices of the Kongo people of West Central Africa, presents a complex, cyclical framework that contrasts sharply with the linear perspective commonly found in Western thought. This concept is not merely a way to measure chronological progression but is intrinsically tied to […]
Understanding Time in African Spirituality: Insights from Odu Ifá, Iroko, and Kitembo
AN AFRO-BRAZILIAN PROVERB ABOUT TIME “O Tempo dá,O Tempo tira,O Tempo passa,E a folha vira.” “Time gives,Time takes,Time passes,And the leaf turns.” (Proverb Candomblé) A FUSION OF AFRICAN SPIRITUALITY AND WESTERN PHILOSOPHY In the realm of spiritual and philosophical thought, time has been a subject of contemplation and debate across cultures. While African spiritual traditions […]
Orishá Kitembo and Iroko: Time-Honored Deities
ABOUT ORISHÁ KITEMBO AND IROKO In the rich mosaic of African spiritual heritage, two figures command awe and respect: Kitembo, known as Tempo in certain Afro-Brazilian traditions, and Iroko, a cornerstone of the Yoruba religion. These deities, deeply ingrained in the rituals of Brazilian Candomblé and beyond, stand as timeless emblems of the natural world […]