Sala Malongo this year the letter was pulled by my godson Leonardo Benitez…. Sambia Happy 2020.
Letra del 2020 for Acabamundo Bejuco Nfinda Nsasi Moanafilo Batalla Sacarampeño Mayombe
Kalunga, Centella Ndoki and the Bakulu speak of 2020 as a year for introspection. We are to look inward instead of out, judge ourselves prior to passing judgment on others, and focus on upholding and defending the values we hold dear. They speak of repeating cycles at both personal and global levels, of slowing down and reprioritizing, and remind us that happiness is not tied to the accumulation of things or milestones but to the moments and experiences in-between. This year we should strive towards spiritual and economic fortification, and focus on nurturing meaningful relationships with the ancestors, family and those we love. Nkisi asks us to refocus, critically self evaluate, and to take time this year to define the priorities and principles by which we will navigate this new decade and this ever-complicated and rapidly changing world.
All come from Kalunga and to her all shall return. In this letter she tells us to recognize the cyclic nature in all things. She reminds us that those who do not learn from the past are destined to repeat the same mistakes in the future; and that learning from the errors of the past is how we best prepare for future success. This year we prepare ourselves to navigate the cyclic tides of life rather than passively succumb to them, but to do so requires some internal housekeeping.
Mariwanga teaches us to cut down with fierce decisiveness that which threatens our values and those we love in order to protect our future. We are reminded that those who strive for everything often end up with nothing and that we must prune away the unnecessary so the necessary can flourish. We should use the first half of the year to evaluate if we are living within our means, consolidate debt and set our financial priorities straight and minimize indulgent spending. We are to take this message into all aspects of the new year and let go of those stagnant dreams, capricious wants, toxic relationships and stressful investments of time, money and energy. 2020 follows a decade of immense expansion and accumulation, it is a year to reset, recenter and downsize and it starts by prioritizing our values, our responsibilities, our goals, and cutting out anything that threatens the long term wellbeing of ourselves and our loved ones.
The letter speaks of lingering negativity and the need for heavy cleansing for those going through tough times. Unfortunately, 2020 will continue the global trend of extremes, of divisiveness and hatred fueled by more world violence and another tumultuous political election cycle in the US. There is and will continue to be a lot of ambient negativity and tension so those engaging in frequent spirit work and consultations should be regularly protecting themselves and their home.
Do not wander without purpose and protection into graveyards and other liminal places of high spiritual activity. Consider making a Makuto for protection and stick to a regiment of spiritual hygiene and frequent herbal baths.
This is a year to reach out to and appease individual dead that we may have ignored or forgotten – to reconcile, forgive and ask for forgiveness from those who have passed and who still haunt our memories; Spiritual Misas or further investigations with a Tata or Yaya Nganga may be in order. For those who donʼt maintain a frequent ancestral practice (or have let it slip over the years) , now is the time to setup a boveda or similar space where to honor and commune with the ancestors. A glass of water, a candle and a dedicated moment of our time is all that is needed.
Nkisi also warns against enchantments at a global scale and confusing illusion for reality. That we should be careful with where we put our faith and trust, and how we measure our happiness and self worth. Glamorized over-spending and instant gratification will reach a crescendo in the 2020s. Life itself is becoming more and more ‘on demandʼ as we march to the frenzied pace of endless commodity and content consumption. From same-day delivery of online goods to the instant reassurance that others have acknowledged our experiences through social media, we are moving at an unsustainable pace and Nkisi urges us to slow down.
On this topic, the Bakulu speak loudly and firmly together with Kalunga and tell us to return to what is truly important and stop chasing horizons in whichever way the stormy winds of trends and propaganda blow. They tell us to not confuse the projected illusions of happiness, success and prosperity for the real thing. They ask that we reflect back on the struggles and journeys of those who came before us and that we study their ancestral stories so that we may reinforce the virtues of dedicated patience and hard work.
We are to take a moment to relearn how to live in the moment and focus on forging meaningful relationships and experiences with others. Not about accumulating things, but protecting and enriching those things we already have. Use this year to start a communal vegetable garden, park or gathering area or other project that requires time and craftsmanship where people can come together to work and invest into the earth and enjoy the deep gratification that comes from truly reaping what you sow.
To set the tone for the year ahead take a white candle together with flowers to the beach at sunrise or sunset. Draw a dikenga cross into the sand, place the candle in the center and offer light, mambo and prayer to the ancestors and the collective ancestral waters of Kalunga. Observe how the ebb and flow of the ocean waves echo the cycles of life and history and let the presence of the ancestors with the rhythmic harmony of the natural world remind us of what it means to be present and centered in the moment. We should reflect back on the past year and the decade we leave behind, weep out our frustrations and sorrows for that and those we have lost, and express our gratitude for what has been given, the wisdom gained and the new experiences and relationships we have forged with…
Sambia Tata leonardo…….