Page 62 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 3

ISSUE THREE | NOV/DEC
1 in 3. Thus it is said that God
has four faces. Like points on
the Compass; the four aspects
of God, represent a different
aspect of his nature.
The shape of the pyramids is
chosen very carefully to reflect
these underlying aspects of
the divine unity. The pyramid
has 4 faces. Three faces to the
heavens, and one face to the
earth. The pyramid is composed
of 4 equilatoral triangles, which
all manifest the cosmic nature
of God 3 in 1 and 1 in 3. The
pyramids were built with the
greatest precision. It was not
built by slaves, but by adepts
who had mastery over nature.
They used their understanding
of sacred laws to make stones
weightless. They could reduce
the gravitational pull on huge
blocks of stone, thus enabling
them to be effortlessly used.
The idea of a huge army of
slaves building the pyramid,
has only been created because
many modern egyptologists
cannot conceive that the
ancient Egyptians may have
had technology not available to
modern man.
The primary purpose of the
great pyramids was a place for
spiritual initiation. It was in the
sacred confines of the great
pyramids that initiates would
undergo the process of attaining
real illumination. The pyramids
were chosen because they are
an outer symbolism of man’s
inner quest. The spirituality of
ancient Egypt was concerned
with initiates seeking the
Divine within themselves.
Unfortunately, over time, the
spiritual initiates who guarded
the secrets of realisation, lost
influence and over time, the
pyramids became used for
different purposes. This is why
62 HEALING - RESTORING - REBIRTHING - AFRICA
it is hard to find evidence of represents a relationship with
these early spiritual practices. the Divine Spirit. In traditional
African culture most forms of
The significance of the dance follow the shape of a
Circle in traditional African circle. For example, isangoma
spirituality (the diviner) uses a circular
In traditional African culture dance when performing acts
and spirituality the image of the of divination. Whilst divination
circle is a prominent feature is intended to cure life’s
that permeates all departments illness and restore wholeness,
of life. In essence, the circle its performance enacts the
represents completeness, wholeness of life and gives
fullness. It is the primal source visible expression to how life is
of energy and wisdom. The like when lived in its fullness.
circle is thus an image of what For example, participants in the
is named God – that which is ceremony of divination sit in a
the source of all things and circle singing and clapping.
continues to give birth to new
possibilities thereby offering Many other creations and rituals
hope. The association of God are circular. For example, men
with the circle (or vice versa) and women in a rural village sit
explains why many life forms, in a circle, drinking home brew
ceremonies, rituals, buildings beer out of circular utensils, and
in traditional African culture circulate the utensils among
follow the shape of a circle. themselves. Abakhwetha
Now I will try to illustrate why (initiates at the circumcision
these circular formations are school), during their period
prominent in African culture of separation, live in round
and tradition. shaped structures (ibhuma)
Life is sacred because life which symbolise their birth into
and creation manifest God. new life through their passage
Therefore life and creation from boyhood to manhood.
are places of encounter with And so, a circle symbolises birth
God. And so, the circular into new life, completeness
shapes that rituals, buildings which is associated with the
and certain life forms follow Creator. The circle is also
manifest divinity, sacredness, a symbol of inclusion and
unity, completeness, inter- interconnectedness with all
connectedness and fullness. creation. When people meet in
For example, the circular a circle, everyone occupies a
shape of the rondavel is meant front-seat. In a circle everything
to align the homestead with is interconnected.
the Creator and the fullness of
life. The shape of the rondavel However, it is hugely regrettable
has deep-seated religious and that most churches in Africa
spiritual connotations. The reflect a feudal, hierarchical
rondavel represents the origins and European architecture, with
of creation and the unity of life. oblong buildings, long aisles,
It is a symbol of safety and sanctuaries set apart from the
fullness of life. place “ordinary” worshippers.
Similarly, dance gives However, if missionary
expression to a deep Christianity had, from the
relationship with the Creator or onset, taken traditional African