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Monday, April 18, 2011

THE MEANING OF PEACE IN AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION AND CULTURE

Prayer
I would like to begin this reflection with a prayer, a litany for peace, from the Kikuyu of Kenya. It is addressed to Ngai, the Supreme Being:

Praise ye Ngai… –  Peace be with us
[Say that the elders may have wisdom and speak with one voice.
Praise ye, Ngai. Peace be with us.]
Say that the country may have tranquillity

Peace be with us.
And the people may continue to increase
Peace be with us
Say that the people and the flock and the herds
May prosper and be free from illness –  Peace be with us
[Say… (that) the fields may bear much fruit
And the land may continue to be fertile.
Praise ye, Ngai. Peace be with us.]
May peace reign over earth,
May the gourd cup agree with vessel – Peace be with us
May their heads agree and every ill word driven out into the wilderness,
            into the virgin forest.
Praise ye Ngai… – Peace be with us.[1]

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