Quietly sitting in front of a small fire
A lone medicine man begins a ceremonial ritual.
He rubs sacred ash over his face
painting his face into a supernatural mask
that he will use to bring himself into the spirit world
in the most ancient way.

He reaches into a lion skin pouch decorated with cowrie shells
bringing out a hand full of herbs and roots.
Which he offers to the first source and center
and from his heart/mind/soul
he turns his eyes upwards and speaks to the heavens.

Using a language taught to him
A language carried through the elements of time and matter
by the many spirits joining him by the fire
who are his ancestors.

He holds the herbs and roots in the center of his palm
looking modestly into the flames of the burning fire
Iba se Ori ewe
(I pray homage to the spirit of the leaves and roots)
he says before slowly blowing them into the blazing fire
using the old language of his people
words that the Orishas knows
Iba se Egun
(I pay homage to the spirits of my ancestors)

A-way mo dew-pa-we as-shay
with words pouring from his heart
he ask the spirit of the radiating fire to be a portal
for his eyes to see into for guidance
in finding a cure for healing his people
so that they will live a healthy and full life
and that their hearts/souls/minds will be filled
with the knowledge/wisdom/understanding of worship and truth.
He has spoken words to the spirit of the bright fire
words that the spirit of the burning inferno knows
for such words are of a language
that has been used since the Empire of King Tutankhamen
in such sacred rituals.

Words that the indigenous world recognizes
words of life that comes from no book
words that allow shamans to invoke those unseen by the average man
this the lone medicine man knows with certainty
such are the ways of his forefathers and foremothers
and as the smoke transcends upwards
carrying the medicine and words
beyond the realms of the earth into the hands
of those who are looking down into the planet
waiting to become more active in life.

He is giving a nod of approval
by the many spirits joining him by the fire
who are his ancestors.



copyright(c)2006 BabaOlutundeOlufemi