HOMOWO
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Homowo is an Obutu-GaDanme yearly sacrifice they observe by offering the best part of their first fruits harvested to the Almighty creator called Bor – Mawu or Mawu. It is a thanksgiving of special prayers and merry making offered to the Creator by every worker by presenting the first and the best part of his/her produce. Either from the farm, the rivers, the sea, poultry farm, that is, fowls, goats, sheep, cows etc. Relatives from all the hinterlands, that is, the villages all converge (come together) in the main town to do the presentation together amidst joyful songs, and interesting little plays composed to express ones thankfulness to the Provider. This gathering is usually dubbed as festival. But this festival is known as Homowo. Homowo has to do with agriculture, the Homowo, therefore is an agrarian festival. It encourages the old farmers and it rekindles their spirits urging them to do better the next year. Farm produce of all types are brought to the main town for marketing at special “clear-away prices or dirt-cheap or sometimes, some are given away for free. It serves as advertisement; it boosts the economy of the people. It teaches the lesson of you “grow what you eat” or “you eat what you grow.” Not only that, it also brings the people together cementing their relationships firmer. It is the time when family, each house, or clan checks birth and death registers. Old scores or quarrels are all settled by brothers or sisters; forgiving his or her neighbor by simply shaking hands. Relatives sit round a common bowl, eat together and drink from the same calabash Jug or cup)demonstrating the spirit of brotherliness and oneness. TSOTSOOBI is an African Naming Ceremony that occurs on the eighth (8) day after a baby is born. It is the first Rite-of-Passage. On that day, the baby is brought out for the first time, undressed placed on a flat stone located at a sacred spot in the house and cleansed with rain water from the High Priest (Wulomo). A special out-dooring prayer is said while librants are being offered to (Bor-Mawu) Almighty Creator, the Guardian Angel of the day, the Deities, and Ancestors asking for blessings, obedience, prosperity, and longevity for the child. It is after this special ceremony that the child is officially welcome into the family; connects one to his/her guardian angel, Ancestors, theElders, and general members of the house (family) on the maternal and paternal sides of the families. Although out-dooring is usually performed on the eighth day of birth, an adult can be out-doored also. The connection between the one out-doored and his/her guardian angel becomes solidified and more personal just after the out-dooring. The complete name of this Rite-of-Passage is called “Tsotsoobi Tsoomo” meaning showing you to the moon. Those who have received names, have testified of spiritual changes and spiritual advancements in their endeavors. Take advantage of it. Call for your appointment. Most Tsotsoobi are held on the 4th Sunday of any month by appointment. You are welcome. December 26-January 1st represents a time for teaching the individual seven principles called the Nguzo Saba, one principle for each of the seven days. However, for the African, these principles are lived each and every day of the year. Therefore, you are invited to Kwanzaa With Africans 365 days of the year (KWA 365). Kwanzaa is similar to Homowo. It is a festival (though not referred to as a festival) of first fruits grown by the people. The best part of the fruits harvested is given to the Creator who is responsible for the growth. Fruit does not necessarily mean food from branches of trees, but any thing harvested or accomplished by the individual during the past year. It can be a published book or poems, song or dance created, a new African invention, etc. At Kwanzaa, all Africans with common ancestral origin around the world come together at various places to have fun, exchange ideas, patch-up old differences, network, give gifts (kee) to love ones and friends of all creeds and colors. Kwanzaa is the time when the past history of the ancestors is revisited to the young ones of the race. At Kwanzaa time, we of African descent commit ourselves to the Almighty offering water as libant (that which is sacrificial and dear to ones heart). Water is used because it is the “first cause”. The pouring of it represents the blessings the rains give us, generative, cleansing, and corrective gifts. The cup (kikombe) which holds the libant signifies oneness, unity, or togetherness as a people of African descent no matter where one is located or born. Once an African always an African. Africa is in us. Therefore, wherever we are Africa is there. Naturalization papers can legalize us and our descendents, but it can never naturalize us. Its Kwanzaa time, let’s have fun! Its Kwanzaa time let’s take a break! Its Kwanzaa time! Juneteenth celebrated June 19th is a time of rejoicing and remembrance. It represents the day that slavery was abolished in the last state, Texas. Many entities, films, and other historical references have been responsible for instilling in the minds of our youths that the history of the African Born In America or Anywhere (A.B.I.A.) is centered around slavery. Therefore this celebration is design as such to highlight the fact that ABIA history is an ancient history, as old as Egypt when the Africans ruled the world and each ABIA is a descendent of kings and queens. Those who attend are usually dressed in their finest. Therefore, the best dressed couple, manifesting kingly and queenly behavior and conversation are crowned and reign for one year as AyokaGifts King and Queen. As a benefit they will receive gifts throughout the year from the organization. This event serves as a fund-raiser for Homowo- Afi (Festival held in August).