Exploring African Spirituality and Ancestral Veneration with Ehime Ora on Hard Knock Radio

KPFA - Hard Knock Radio

Introduction: A Deep Dive into African Spirituality

Host Davey D speaks with Ehime Ora, an author and spiritual practitioner, about traditional African spirituality, ancestral veneration, and her book Spirits Come From Water: An Introduction to Ancestral Veneration and Reclaiming African Spiritual Practices. Their discussion explores the impact of colonization, the search for spiritual connection, and the significance of honoring ancestors.

The Inspiration Behind Spirits Come From Water

Ehime Ora, born in Ibadan, Nigeria, explains that her book is a call to reconnect with ancestral roots. She shares how her mother, struggling with homesickness after moving to the U.S., found healing through stories of water spirits and ancestral lands. These childhood stories became a spiritual guide, helping Ehime reclaim her African traditions.

Colonization and Religious Assimilation

Davey D and Ehime discuss the forced Christianization of African communities. Missionaries in Nigeria convinced children to destroy ancestral shrines in exchange for money. Colonial-era boarding schools reinforced anti-African spiritual narratives. Despite this, Ehime’s mother practiced both Christianity and African spirituality, proving that dual beliefs can coexist.

The Search for Spiritual Connection

Ehime highlights how many people are seeking deeper spiritual meaning. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified this need, forcing people into self-reflection. She believes African spirituality fosters self-acceptance, unlike religious doctrines that teach original sin. Ancestral veneration allows people to embrace their authenticity.

African Spirituality in the Black Church

Davey D notes similarities between Black church traditions and African spiritual practices. He mentions spirit possession, communal worship, and rhythmic music as direct holdovers from African traditions. Ehime agrees, citing the use of holy oils, water, and prayer in Nigerian churches. She also notes how Hoodoo and Conjure preserved African spiritual elements within Christianity.

Call and Response: A Cultural Legacy

African spirituality is deeply interactive, emphasizing call-and-response, dance, and music. Unlike Western religious traditions that promote stillness, African worship involves full-body engagement. Missionaries tried to suppress these traditions, but Africans retained their communal and spiritual practices.

Sacred Texts in African Spirituality

Unlike Christianity, African spirituality does not rely on a single book. Instead, knowledge is passed down orally through elders. However, Ifa and Orisha traditions contain Odu Ifa, a system of 256 sacred texts with thousands of verses. These teachings guide spiritual alignment and destiny.

Ancestral Veneration: Building a Connection

Ehime explains that talking to ancestors is an African tradition. People can build an ancestral altar with water, candles, fruit, and family photos. Prayer is simply intentional conversation with ancestors. She encourages daily rituals to strengthen this bond.

Spirituality as a Tool for Liberation

Davey D raises a crucial question: If spirituality is so powerful, why are Black people still oppressed? Ehime responds that deliverance takes time. She references Haitian Vodou’s role in overthrowing French rule and how Hoodoo protected enslaved Africans. African spirituality has always been a force for resistance and survival.

The Role of Capitalism in Spirituality

Capitalism has infiltrated religion and spiritual practices, often prioritizing profit over community. Ehime warns against exploitative spiritual leaders who charge excessive fees for rituals. In Ifa, wealth should flow like water—pure and untainted by greed.

Final Thoughts: Reclaiming Ancestral Wisdom

Ehime urges people to open their hearts to spiritual connection. She emphasizes that African spirituality is not about worshiping a distant god, but about recognizing the divine within. By honoring ancestors, embracing history, and practicing good character, people can reclaim their spiritual power.

How to Connect with Ehime Ora

Follow Ehime on Instagram, X, and TikTok. She offers spiritual teachings on Patreon and writes essays on Substack. Visit ehimeora.com for more.

Hard Knock Radio is a drive-time Hip-Hop talk show on KPFA (94.1fm @ 4-5 pm Monday-Friday), a community radio station without corporate underwriting, hosted by Davey D and Anita Johnson.

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