Dreaming the
Ancestors among Indigenous Africans and Diaspora Descendents
Annette Williams, MA, has
her degree in psychology with an emphasis in Jungian and
archetypal approaches. Currently she is a doctoral student in
Women’s Spirituality at the California Institute of Integral
Studies. An admirer of the hermetic tradition, she is a
professional astrologer as well as a certified Sivananda yoga
instructor.
Abstract
Dreaming of one’s ancestors is
often an influential experience. Memories of family breakfasts
where the night’s dreams were discussed, especially those dreams
containing ancestors, have fueled my interest in this area. I have
heard it said that to find one’s “whole mind” it is necessary to
reconnect with the mind of one’s indigenous ancestors. As such
this paper will consider the place of ancestors and the
significance of ancestor dreams within selected African indigenous
cultures and religions. Also discussed will be the role of these
dreams within two societies of the African diaspora. Upon the
African continent we will explore the importance of ancestors and
their role in dreams among the Xhosa of South Africa and the
Yoruba of West Africa. We will then follow the Middle Passage and
look for elements of cultural retention with regard to dreams
within the Afro-Cuban religion, Santeria, as well as among
African-Americans.
As
spoken of by John Mbiti and other African scholars, the indigenous
African ontological perspective is generally one steeped in
connection to spirit where distinctions are muted between the
spiritual and material, the sacred and secular. The dream and
traditional religion are inextricably linked as is the connection
between religion and society, where religion permeates all areas
of life. Owing to this interconnection, the dream takes on special
social significance for African indigenous cultures – a
significance that has crossed the Atlantic and is witnessed in the
black diaspora. Appearance of an ancestor in one’s dream is
considered a significant experience on both sides of the ocean,
informing and enriching the lives of individuals and communities.
However, the ancestor’s message and its purpose can vary greatly –
from providing healing and prophesy to demanding changed behavior
and propitiation. As well, not all ancestors are welcome dream
visitors, nor are all deceased relatives always considered
ancestors. This web of connection that is the dream links the
living and the dead allowing the continuity of existence to be
felt and ensuring the perpetuation of guidance from the ancestors.
