While We Danced, Our Egun Sized Each Other Up!
Egun ( Ancestors ) set the standards for social interaction and ethics

(A Reply to a post on the Orisa Mailing List, circa '98)

Egun Want us Listen:
While I was in college I took a course in South African history. Shortly after starting that class, Khoi spirits would come to me at night when I went to sleep, . They would come to me in tears and remind me that the words that I read in books about South African history were lies and a desecration of their culture. They also hinted to the true motives of Shaka; motives that will never be found in books. They reminded me to not sit by idly while their names and memories were forgotten or disrespected. Those months of powerful dreams were very moving and often resulted in incredible classroom clashes, and an outpouring of emotion. Or maybe it would be better described as conviction on my part. After all, Ancestral spirits were demanding that I speak on their behalf.

It seems appropriate that I remember that class when I read the post entitled- "One settler, One bullet." This motto is one of the most powerful that I have ever heard, and having been shown a glimpse of the pain endured by South Africans (and in fact all Africans at the hands of European conquest), I understand why they would make such a strong statement and why some say Black South Africans say it even today!

Egun Interact on your Behalf
Something important to know about the Egun- There is a dialogue that goes on between the Egun (Ancestors) of two or more people when they meet for the first time. Devotees of traditional religions should explore this dynamic interaction between Egun.

When I first realized this, I was trying to share the experience with a friend. At the time, I was having headaches because I was trying to develop a relationship with a particular woman. I was being told (thru my intuition) that our Egun had meet, and didn't care much for one another! It was plausible to me, but I had never had it happen directly thru my Ori (head) before. Normally, you get a consultation and the Ol'Orisa says "your Egun say this about so and so." or you go to a Misa and a medium passes (gets possessed with their or your spiritual guide) and this kind of thing comes out. Having this direct communication made it very real for me. Later on,in fact it was confirmed by through divination!

Thought:
1) Folks seem to think that their Ancestors become very lofty and unaffected in the Other world. (i.e.We think things that might have concerned these Egun in life, do not bother them anymore or that there are no longer ethical issues for them in the Afterlife.)

I beg to differ. My experience has been that they keep their same ethical code from the sum total of their lives and lessons(even mistakes) learned-and this is how they deal with us. For example, why wouldn't an Egun who's last life was marred by enslavement at the hands of Muslims or Christians remember this and ask his living family to avoid such people and their offspring? - At the very least, wouldn't the ancestor tell the living relative to be careful with consorting with certain types?

Second Thought:
How logical is it for my Egun to interact with another Egun that might have been an adversary in a past life?
2) When anyone of us meets someone on the physical plane and shakes hands..in an otherworldly fashion, our respective Egun shakes hands too! "How do you do? I am XYZ's great grandfather." Then they proceed to talk, find out what each family is all about, etc.
So, if your Egun knows your destiny and say you "fall in love" with someone that is not healthy for you, they may give you a headache (I used to get extreme headaches when I spent time with this young lady.) Or maybe they will cause you to have an accident so you will know something is up. If you meet someone that is say, a racist or drug abuser and this person walks with a disturbed Egun or malevolent [spirit against mankind] as their chief influence, best believe your Egun will repel you from them or put in obstacles in your way! In fact, when you meet someone and you don't "click" that it may be probably safe to say that your respective Egun met, and didn't dig each other either.

Egun set the most standards for social interaction and ethics
All the time we hear that going against the ethical standards of our fore parents can bring disaster our way. If this is so, then Egun DO determine the example we should follow. For our own good and in some cases, in the name of family honor, we should be mindful of the relationships we develop..our friends might very well be the enemy of our Egun!

It is for this reason that some of us can not interact with certain types of people. We have mandates against making friends with people who live certain lifestyles. Now, I know what you are thinking. So let's go there ..homosexuality for instance. A tired subject perhaps, but maybe we keep having this discussion because we are missing the point. (?) You have got to honor the ethics of your family. Especially if you feel their beliefs are right in your heart. If something is traditionally outside of your culture you probably shouldn't partake without express permission. So, for some of us, we know that homosexuality is a prohibition in their families. This is not/can not become an excuse to hate other people. But it's okay to express that certain lifestyles are against what we feel we are brought to Earth to do. And so, we might be asked to limit our contact to people who live outside our code of ethics. On the other hand, the Egun of two very different people might be bring two people together so that their two families can learn from one another or to make a public lesson for others.

In this way, I can only say, don't assume - ask. And don't judge the answer that others get. Don't assume their Egun are terrible people, lenient people, stupid people or any other arrogant self-centered perspective that we normally develop when we can't get people to walk our path instead of their own.

You listen to your Egun, I'll listen to mine. (Let them take care of the rest.)
Just remember to obey your Egun. Even if the whole world is staring down at you, calling you a stubborn buffoon for your stance, you have to do it. See, we live in a world where just about anything goes, so it pays to follow YOUR Egun on an issue. Even if it means not doing the easy way. I am not in anyway making a comment on lifestyles. Because the other end of it is this: You can not criticize another if you are not sure who is asking them to do or not do something! Some of you have no business in bars or clubs. But for others that is not an issue. Some folks have taboos against certain jobs or living in certain conditions. It doesn't have to make any sense to us. The only thing that matters is that it fits the ethical standards of the Egun and Orisa that govern you! And we know that Orisa and Egun ask different things of different people. Some people need to open up to Europeans. There is a lesson waiting for them. They can hear the message loud and clear and they ignore it. They don't want the conflict with family or friends. Others have no business in the company of such people, but they do it anyway because nobody around will check them on it. They know that their family have nationalistic goals and they are not living up to the mission given to their family. These are both realities.

But what do your Egun say?
Most of us will be naturally drawn to people that live like we live and carry our same code of ethics. In another perspective, I would say our Egun get along well.

Some folks can't stand this! They want everyone on the same page. THEIR page. No way. Besides, we congregate like this because we are learning common lessons and dealing with the same healing issues. You choose a group that help you develop as a spirit. Eventually, humankind will evolve. We will have greater understanding, we will be on a common page. This is so far away. In the meantime, we live not to judge, but to grow. Who better than the eldest among us to lead the way? The Egun!

Please remember that this article is only one perspective. It should not be interpreted as the final word. Please consult your godparent or spiritual teacher to determine how this article should be interpreted within your spiritual lineage and within your spiritual destiny. It is important to know your path!

In the meantime, yet another perspective on the part of this article that will for some be the only issue at hand: Malidome Some Speaks On the Spiritual Role Of Gays (I do not presume to validate Some's assertion that he is actually a priest/shaman in his tradition, nor do I presume to validate his assertion that the Dogon actually approve of homosexuality.)

Effectively Communicating with the Egun Part 1

Effectively Communicating with the Egun Part 2

4- Cowry / Obi Divination w/ our Ancestors Part 1

What is Egungun