Reciprocity with the Ancestors: A Journey of Transformation Through Kebtah The Tale of Uyemi and the Forgotten River

Written By Repiyah Hentkhepra - AKA Dr. Upiomoh, Osholene

 Introduction

 Before diving into this sacred teaching, I invite you to join me on a journey told through the timeless art of storytelling. For in stories, we find the natural way of seeing the world and sharing our experiences. It is through these tales that wisdom flows, carrying lessons that resonate deeply within us. This is a story about reciprocity with the Ancestors - a tale of connection, transformation, and the boundless gifts that come when we honor those who came before us.

 The Tale of Uyemi and the Forgotten River

 Long ago, in a lush village cradled between mountains and rivers, there lived a young man named Uyemi. Uyemi was a man of ambition, always chasing the next harvest, the next trade, or the next venture. Yet, no matter how hard he worked, his fields remained barren, his livestock frail, and his heart burdened with a heaviness he could not explain.

One evening, after another failed harvest, Uyemi wandered to the edge of the forest. There, an Elder named Mama Otse was seated by the river, humming a tune that seemed older than the stars. Uyemi approached her, and before he could utter a word, she spoke:

“Child, why do you fight alone when the hands of those before you are eager to help?”

Confused, Uyemi replied, “What do you mean, Mama? I have no one left. My parents have passed, and I stand on my own.”

 Mama Otse chuckled, her eyes twinkling with wisdom. “You’ve forgotten the river, child. Just as the river flows, so does the connection between us and our Ancestors. When the river is blocked, the waters cannot nourish the land. But if you honor and tend to the river, it will sustain you and all you touch. Reciprocity with the Ancestors is that river.”

 Understanding Reciprocity with the Ancestors

 Reciprocity with the Ancestors is the sacred act of giving and receiving. Our Ancestors, having departed from this physical world, remain deeply invested in our lives. They are the bridge between us and the Divine, guiding, protecting, and interceding on our behalf. But this relationship is not one-sided; as much as they give, they require nourishment from us.

Nourishment comes in the form of acknowledgment, offerings, prayers, rituals, and sacrifices. It is through these acts that we empower our Ancestors to act on our behalf in the spiritual world, opening doors, removing obstacles, and filling our lives with abundance and clarity.

 Practicing Reciprocity

 Mama Otse taught Uyemi the ways to honor his Ancestors:

1. Call Their Names: “Speak the names of your departed loved ones with reverence,” she said. “In naming them, you bring them closer.”
2. Continue Their Legacy: Uphold and carry forward their works in ways that bring honor to their memory and contributions.
3. Restore Their Honor: Address and correct any mistakes they made during their lives, making amends and engaging in good deeds to uplift their legacy.
4. Offerings and Rituals: Uyemi learned to prepare meals, pour libations, and offer symbolic items that connected his Ancestors to the physical world.
5. Daily Acknowledgment: Mama Otse reminded him to greet his Ancestors every morning, asking for their guidance and expressing gratitude for their presence.
6. Acts of Service: “What you do for the living,” Mama Otse explained, “you do for the Ancestors. Be kind, give generously, and live with integrity.”

 The Fruits of Reciprocity

 With time, Uyemi’s barren fields began to yield golden harvests, his livestock thrived, and his heart grew light with peace. But the most profound transformation was within himself. Uyemi began to see life not as a solitary struggle but as a partnership with those who came before him.

 When the village faced a severe drought, it was Uyemi’s connection with his Ancestors that guided him to a hidden spring, ensuring the survival of his people. The villagers began to see him as a beacon of wisdom and abundance, but Uyemi humbly credited his Ancestors.

 My Own Journey Through Reciprocity

 It was through my initiation with the M’TAM Temples of Kebtah that I truly understood the sacred principle of reciprocity with the Ancestors. Before initiation, I, too, wandered like Uyemi, disconnected, striving, yet unfulfilled. The teachings of M’TAM opened my eyes to the living river that flows between us and our Ancestors.

 I learned how to honor them, to listen for their guidance, and to align my actions with the values they hold dear. By practicing reciprocity, I have witnessed profound changes in my life, clarity in my decisions, doors opening where none seemed possible, and a deep sense of belonging that grounds me in every storm.

 Benefits in Everyday Life

 Reciprocity with the Ancestors manifests in countless ways:

• Protection: I have felt their shield around me, guarding me from harm and unseen dangers.
• Guidance: Their wisdom has illuminated my path, offering clarity in moments of doubt.
• Abundance: The flow of resources and opportunities into my life has been undeniable.
• Healing: Through honoring my Ancestors, I have found emotional and spiritual healing, freeing me from burdens I did not know I carried.

 An Invitation to Begin Your Journey

 If you feel a yearning to reconnect with your roots, to rebuild the bridge to your Ancestors, and to experience the transformative power of reciprocity, Kebtah is your foundation. Here, under the sacred teachings of the Maakheru, Prophet Neb Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig, you can learn the principles and practices that have changed my life and countless others.

Come, honor the river of your lineage. Empower your Ancestors, and let their blessings flow through you to nourish the life you are destined to live.

ISEH, ISEH, ISEH! ISEH!