CAUTION: This topic is not for the fainthearted. It is also not a debate for any sentimentally myopic religious bigot to discuss. Read with an open mind because it is strictly an opinion.
Before the advent of Christianity and Islam, Africans had a well evolved mode of worship, praise and style of appeasement now labelled as African Traditional Religion (ATR).
The acceptability of this religion was universal within the various African Continents because it formed the base of political and communal power.
For instance, in the precolonial African Societies, many traditional elites were held in high esteem due to the potency of their charms; curative knowledge of herbs and the abilities to defeat contenders in terms of physical combat (wrestling match) or in times of war.
There is no gainsaid to acknowledge the fact that ATR with all its accompanying features showcased the basic realities of life in line with norms and traditions. No doubt, it was a perfect guide in the preservation of age-long cultures, belief system and orientations. It further dictated the way and manner people related in the precolonial era.
The infiltration of the newer religions — Christianity and Islam — to Africa led to the gradual decline, abuse and neglect of ATR in some quarters. Many believers of ATR were brainwashed to believe the difference between gods and God.
In their estimations, the God of Oyibo people was superior to the gods of the African People. Truthfully, it was just a bait to subjugate the people’s mindset in order to explore the rich African Continents. By implication, many traditional worshippers neglected their gods to embrace foreign gods.
Till date, Africans are still reminiscing the repercussions of the aberrations committed by some ancestors who lacked the foresightedness to peep into the nearest future.
For instance, none of the two foreign religions advocated for slavery and slave trade. However, the Colonial African societies are still recovering from the aftermath effects of mental and economic bankruptcy sponsored by slave merchants and it lingered up to the mid 19th century.
To achieve their exploitative tendencies in Africa, religion was used as a tool weaponized to first of all cajole the people’s mindset; make them feel less of themselves, acknowledge the Whites and Arabs as models then submit themselves willingly without revolting.
Africans are not cowards and everybody cannot be fooled at the same time. Let it be on record that many African Societies combatted and showcased a greater level of armed resistance. Although, these battles had minimal effects due to the crude weapons utilized in warfare. It could not withstand the guns of their tormentors who were mostly slave raiders thereby leading to conquest.
To achieve their aims in Africa, so many lexicons and twists were introduced at intervals. Let me not make allusions to any of the holy books but dwell more on one of the most recent distortion still holding sway in the 21st Century with many of you falling as victims.
Brethren!
There is no altar in your father’s compound that is fighting your glory, success story or prosperity. Rather, altars from your father’s compound (in your patriarchal or matrilineal extractions) can only hurt you the moment you start fighting what is not fighting you.
Let me explain before you nail me even though I am not scared of any backlash:
Most of the traditional relics or altars you degrade as fetish in your various villages were erected by your ancestors even before your great grandfather was born. It was appeased at intervals by your progenitors. To be candid, our ancestors cannot erect any altar to torment their future generations as many of your ‘pastors’ and ‘prophets’ make you believe.
Now, here lies the major problem: in this era of Christianity and Islam, most of the traditional African deities, shrines and family altars has been neglected. Few Africans are still in touch with their roots and most times they face the consequences of their actions.
Nobody is compelling you to return to the religion of your ancestors but deviating from cultures and traditions enacted by them does not guarantee your success story. I understand the fact that Jesus died for “our” sins but your ancestors who paid the supreme price for your existence will not be happy if forget and abandon them because “indeed, old things have passed away”. Think, reflect and understand this admonition.
In conclusion, if truly altars from your father’s compound are witch hunting you then return to the drawing board instead of fighting what is not fighting you. Be rest assured that you have a greater level of biological affinity to your ancestors; they are dead and sometimes forgotten but you have their blood flowing in your veins until the day you join them.
In case you do not know, you are a future ancestor. Now, tell me, how will you feel when you are lying peacefully in your grave then one of your grandchild brings a pastor, imam or prophet to your graveside to speak in tongues and pour all sorts of ‘anointing oil’ on the grave hinting that you are the source of their unending problems? This is absolute madness.
Next time, before you ‘kabash‘ and pray against altars from your father’s compound, take a deep breath then ask yourself: what did you even do to the altar that it is fighting your existence?
These ancient altars and landmarks were not erected by lunatics. It cannot fight you. Stop wasting your time booking for family deliverance. It is another merchandise to extort you of your hard-earned monies. You can willingly support any church, mosque or religious ministries but do not be brainwashed to fight yourselves spiritually.
If they ask you to pray against family altars, tell them to also tell you the offence you committed that warrants the spiritual exchange of blows.
Above all, let us pray for the spirit of discernment because spiritual understanding is not a shallow river, it is a very big ocean to be dived into by the strong hearted. Even a good swimmer can get drowned in the process of self discovery.
© Ajogwu Black Lion
2/11/2025
Idah, Kogi state
