Understanding the True Relationship with Ancestors: We Don’t Worship, We Connect
In many traditional African spiritual practices, our relationship with ancestors has been deeply misunderstood, both within and outside our communities. One of the most persistent misconceptions is the idea that we “worship” our ancestors. This concept of worship, however, is not a reflection of our indigenous spirituality but rather a construct imposed by colonial European frameworks. In this blog, we will explore the true nature of ancestral connections, debunk the myth of ancestor worship, and reclaim our spiritual autonomy.
Our goal is to not only educate but to empower individuals to deepen their connection with their ancestors and themselves, without the external pressures of dogma or religious impositions. In understanding that we are everything, we transcend the need to “worship” anything and recognize the powerful symbiotic relationship we have with all forms of existence.
The European Construct of Worship: A Tool for Control
Before delving into our relationship with ancestors, it is essential to understand the origins of the term “worship” and its implications. In the European and Western religious framework, worship often involves an act of submission or reverence toward a deity or higher power. It implies a hierarchy, where the worshiper is at the mercy of a more powerful being and must follow specific rituals or doctrines to gain favor.
This notion of worship has historically been used as a tool for control. Colonizing forces introduced this hierarchical concept to convert indigenous peoples to new belief systems, often with the intention of stripping away their spiritual autonomy. The idea that one must worship and submit to a higher power allowed colonizers to control populations not just politically and economically, but spiritually. It served to place individuals in a position of dependency, where blind obedience and subservience were encouraged.
In indigenous African spiritual systems, the relationship with the divine and with our ancestors is quite different. There is no demand for blind obedience, nor is there a hierarchical system where humans are below and the ancestors or spirits are above. Instead, we operate from a place of mutual respect, co-creation, and empowerment.
“Our ancestors are not deities to be worshipped; they are wise guides, protectors, and partners on our spiritual journey. In connecting with them, we reclaim our power and remember that we are never truly alone.” — Black Empress, The Oracle
We Don’t Worship Ancestors—We Connect with Them
In African spiritual traditions, ancestors are honored, not worshipped. The term “worship” does not capture the essence of what happens in these spiritual practices. Instead, we connect with our ancestors. The connection is based on the understanding that we are part of a continuum—our ancestors are not separate from us, but rather an intrinsic part of our existence.
When we connect with our ancestors, we are engaging in a relationship of reciprocity and mutual respect. We recognize that the wisdom of those who came before us can guide us in the present, and we in turn can honor them by living in alignment with the highest truths and values they left behind. But this is not worship. It is an acknowledgment of our roots, a recognition that our ancestors live on through us and that we are never separate from them.
This connection allows us to tap into a source of strength, knowledge, and guidance. It empowers us to navigate life’s challenges with the wisdom of countless generations behind us, knowing that we are not walking this path alone. When we speak to our ancestors, we do so as equals in the circle of life—interdependent, connected, and whole.
Why We Don’t Worship Anything: We Are Everything
At the core of African spirituality is the understanding that we are everything. In many African cosmologies, there is no separation between the self, the ancestors, the earth, and the divine. Everything is interconnected. We do not need to worship anything external because the divine lives within us. We are manifestations of the Creator, just as our ancestors were.
To worship implies that something or someone is outside of us and greater than us, but this is not how we understand our place in the universe. We honor and connect with all aspects of existence—our ancestors, nature, the spiritual realm—because we recognize that these forces are not outside of us, but part of us.
When we say that we are everything, we acknowledge that we are co-creators of our reality. We have the power to shape our lives, manifest our desires, and heal ourselves. There is no need to look outside ourselves for salvation or guidance, as everything we need is already within us. This is why the notion of ancestor worship as an external practice, based on fear or submission, simply does not apply to our spiritual traditions.
Reclaiming Our Spiritual Autonomy
Understanding that we connect with, rather than worship, our ancestors is an important step in reclaiming our spiritual autonomy. We are not passive participants in our spirituality; we are active co-creators. By releasing the idea of worship, we free ourselves from the limiting belief that we must seek approval or favor from some external source in order to be whole or spiritually fulfilled.
Instead, we can step into a place of empowerment, where our spirituality is defined by connection, respect, and reciprocity. We connect with our ancestors because they are part of us, and we are part of them. We engage with the divine because it flows through us, not because it exists outside of us.
This shift in understanding allows us to approach our spiritual practices from a place of empowerment rather than submission. It encourages us to engage fully with our spirituality, knowing that we are already whole and that our connection to the ancestors and the divine is inherent in who we are.
The Role of Ancestral Connection in Modern Healing
In a modern context, many individuals are seeking to reconnect with their ancestors as a means of healing. The challenges of contemporary life—whether they be mental, emotional, or spiritual—can often be traced back to a disconnection from our roots and our true selves. By reconnecting with our ancestors, we are able to access the wisdom and guidance that can help us navigate these challenges.
However, this reconnection is not about worshiping the past or following blindly in the footsteps of those who came before us. It is about integrating the lessons and wisdom of the ancestors into our lives today in a way that is empowering and aligned with our highest good.
The more we connect with our ancestors, the more we are able to remember who we truly are: powerful, sovereign beings capable of shaping our own destiny. This is the ultimate gift of ancestral connection—an unwavering knowledge that we are supported, guided, and empowered to live in alignment with our highest truths.
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Connection
As we continue to reclaim and redefine our relationship with our ancestors, it is essential to let go of the misconceptions and limitations imposed by colonial frameworks. We do not worship our ancestors; we connect with them in a way that empowers both them and us. We do not worship anything because we are everything. This knowledge allows us to step fully into our spiritual power, reclaiming our autonomy and living in alignment with the divine that flows through us and all things.
In connecting with our ancestors, we honor the past, embrace the present, and shape the future. It is through this connection that we find true empowerment, healing, and spiritual fulfillment.
May we continue to walk this path with the strength of our ancestors behind us and the knowledge that we are whole, complete, and infinitely powerful.
Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Connection
As we continue to reclaim and redefine our relationship with our ancestors, it is essential to let go of the misconceptions and limitations imposed by colonial frameworks. We do not worship our ancestors; we connect with them in a way that empowers both them and us. We do not worship anything because we are everything. This knowledge allows us to step fully into our spiritual power, reclaiming our autonomy and living in alignment with the divine that flows through us and all things.
In connecting with our ancestors, we honor the past, embrace the present, and shape the future. It is through this connection that we find true empowerment, healing, and spiritual fulfillment.
Call to Action: Reclaim Your Ancestral Connection
If you’re feeling lost or disconnected from your roots and are seeking to deepen your connection with your ancestors, I am here to guide and support you on this journey. Through personalized spiritual guidance, shamanic practices, and ancestral wisdom, I help individuals find clarity, purpose, and healing by reconnecting with their lineage.
Whether you’re just beginning your journey or seeking to strengthen an existing connection, I can help you align with the wisdom and strength of your ancestors. Reach out today to book a session or explore our healing services, and start reclaiming your spiritual power.
Visit https://www.awakencenter.africa/ or contact me directly to begin your journey toward ancestral connection and spiritual empowerment. You are never alone—your ancestors are waiting to guide you.
Let’s walk this path together. 🌿
About the Author
Tanya Vuyiswa Kayembe, also known as ‘The Oracle’ and ‘The Black Empress,’ is an African Shaman, psycho-spiritual coach, and healer. With deep ancestral connections, she empowers others to reclaim their spiritual autonomy and navigate life’s challenges through shamanic practices, ancestral guidance, and plant medicine. Tanya helps her clients and followers discover the transformative power of reconnecting with their roots, reclaiming their divinity, and living in alignment with their true selves. For more insights and personal guidance, visit http://www.awakencenter.africa