MS01.01.03 - Box 01 - Folder 06 - African and Black American Religions, [undated], Part 1

16 To Come: "By and By when the morning Comes" "He may not come when you want him but he's right on time." Congregation with minister = Leabation with the sermon(?). The existence of the Root man in American society prevails - The religious Perpensity of the black man makes the role of the Black man very important in America. The crucial role of the Black church in America must be seen - "A man who does not lick his lips Can he blame the _______ for licking them." Priesthood: To become a priest in Africa, one must receive a call[underlinded]. When this call is established one goes to the shrine and trains for three years. You[crossed out] One dies to your[crossed out] himself and emerges a whole man. While the person is undergoing training - Sex is not practiced - certain foods must not be eaten - certain rules must be enforced. He is a[all 3 words added in] Servant of the entire Community. The priest serves the community by fulfilling the wishes of the people Marks are made on the body in Akou tradition to show one's priestly devotion.

Herbs, roots and plants are studied and applied. Medicine is practiced in the traditional way. He is also a psychiatrist. He is also expected to be a diviner with an acquired skill. He must know how to divine in order to feel what will happen in the future. He will help in the general administration of the state. Examination is taken in the end. Dances must be known. When the priest enters the shrine he or she is taken to keep all belongings, clothes, hair etc- This is taken or cut at the end and he is bathed- Jubilation, etc takes place. An oath to the chief is shown before he takes over. Priest would predict the outcome of the war in olden days. Medicine, etc were prepared. He is a very important man in the community. He is often possessed by the Gods Not through emotion only but also by knowledge. Water spirits: All rivers had spirits in them in Africa. The figure in the idea of baptising in Black America. Widows go to the stream to bath- A dead body may be carried to the seashore before taken to Cemetery-

Emersion is important in all of the African found churches.

TWI names are as follows:

TWI DAYS FEMALE MALE MMENEDA SATURDAY AMMA KWAME KWASIDA SUNDAY AKOSUA AKWASI EDWODA MONDAY ADWOA KWADWO EBEHADA TUESDAY ABENAA KWABENA WOKUADA WEDNESDAY AKUA KWAKU YAWOADA THURSDAY YAA YAW EFIADA FRIDAY AFUA KOFI

your name is AKWASI NNUM