[jujusister]

remedios,
of course gods are everywhere. they and their avatars aren't localized only in west or south/central africa. i live in the west for half a year and the other half in africa. the gods are very much here with me in the west where i happen to be right now and they will be with me in a few weeks when i take off for africa. i don't leave them behind/they don't leave me when i re-locate.

there are tremendous spirits in east africa. tremendous. it's too bad that the majority of the human population is caught up in other nonsense which blinds us to what should really be going down. what i like about west africa is the fact that even though (just as in east africa) there are lots of people up to no good over there, on the flip side, there are lots and lots of people who have brought the gods home. who are in tune with their ancestors and spirit guides; who have direct access to supernatural aid. there's a freedom there that i need to function, on the level that i have to function that i find there, and sadly, i don't find it back home.

east africa is still full of suspicion, fear, mistrust, and religious fanaticism. and as much as i do miss home at times, i can't think only of myself. i have to think of my family that would be ostracised and ridiculed. or maybe even worse. and as much as i belong to a 'kenyan' family, this is a personal journey. i'm just trying to get by the way i truly know how and i have to do it the way my ancestors want me to. but i'm lucky because my family supports me fully.

the good news is that there are some really good people back home in kenya. i know of a man who lives by dagoretti, who has total access to his ancestors and is really helping people. and no, he doesn't ask for cash. he just helps his 'patients' with the sacrifices they need to perform, and if they in turn feel like giving him some food, whatever - so that he too may sustain his family because his is a full-time job - they do.

there was another really great man living near the coast, somewhere around ramisi (shimba hills area) whom when i first met him, blew my mind. sadly, he died two years ago but the good news is his grandson 'inherited' the gods and is moving on with the work.

i hear you on "staying local", finding out about your kikuyu culture etc. hey, we all have different paths. like i've always said, my case has been different from day one. i'm operating on a different level.

and like i said before, i'm not trying to gain recruits. i'm just saying there's an alternative which just happens to be the best for me.

check out:
1. 'facing mount kenya' - jomo kenyatta (if you haven't already)

2. 'african religions and philosophy' - john mbiti

3. 'introduction to african religion' - john mbiti

and next time you're in nairobi, make an appointment and go speak with the professor of religion at Uni. Nairobi. i can't remember his name off head, but if i do, i'll let you know.

good luck.


p.s. some people i can help, some people i can't. when i can't, i try and refer them to those who can.