Akwasidae
Akↄm is the twi word used to identify the spiritual lifestyle of the Akan people. Akↄm is also the drumming, dancing, singing ritual that is performed on sacred days and special ceremonies. The essence of Akↄm is celebratory, musical, and mystical in nature…..the rhythmic sounds of the drums elicit transcendence to the African ways that establish familiar connections that are satisfying and complete.
The Akan people maintain a 9 month calendar year within which sacred days occur on a 40-42 day cycle. These Sacred days are opportunities for celebration of our spiritual connections with deities and ancestors. Akↄm creates a sacred space that invites Onyame, ancestors and deities and provides an opening for communication between the community and the spirit realm.
Although worship-type expressions of African spirituality are rare in Jamaica, strong ancestral elements of the Akↄm were retained by groups such as the African maroons who are descended primarily from the Akan people. Akↄm as a form of African worship that celebrates our lineage, history and culture as black people, rooted in the cultural practices and the way of life of the Akan people of Ghana and other parts of West Africa.
Sankofie’s primary Akↄm celebration is held on Kwasiadae (Sacred Sunday). It is normally open to the public from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. We are happy to share with you here some of the sacred teachings brought to us by our deities and ancestors during our Akↄm.
!!!…Sunday Gathering…!!!
Honouring our Ancestral Fathers
Do you suppose they cried
Their women shackled beaten raped
Do you suppose they cried
Their children shackled torn away
Do you suppose they cried
The men who watched
Their manhood slowly stripping
Like skin being torn from flesh
Unable to protect those they had pledged
Their women their children their elders
Do you suppose they cried
Once free and proudly men
I suppose they cried, I suppose they fought. I suppose they cried while they fought. I suppose they fought while they cried. The Divine Masculine in its manifestation as man, human, a being, provider, protector. The brothers who become fathers, the sons who become fathers, the uncles who become fathers, fathers who become the ancestral fathers.
We invite you to join us in a healing conversation as a tribute to our ancestral fathers. Those who have passed this way before and have left many teachings and practices to guide and support us, as we walk as fathers today in a space of trauma. Gifts for the ancestral altar may include fruits, cigars, flowers, prayers, money, candles, strong drinks, soft drinks and/or other gifts from your spirit to greet and celebrate the ancestral fathers. Please also bring prayers and songs to participate in the ancestral fathers’ elevation ritual.
Come join us!!!
Sunday, June 15, 2025
********* 9:00 AM *********
SANKOFIE
