This document discusses the practice of ancestral veneration through libation. It aims to honor ancestors and learn from their wisdom in order to improve upon their works and legacy. Libation involves pouring liquid as an offering to ancestors while giving thanks and making promises to uphold their sacrifices and continue progress. The document provides examples of libations and prayers that acknowledge ancestors who developed civilization, were lost in the Middle Passage, suffered under slavery, and struggled for freedom and equality.

1. “ANCESTRAL VENERATION BY WAY OF LIBATION”
ANCESTRAL VENERATION
Aim: To facilitate the acquisition and valuing of the wisdom of the ancestors; and to foster a
commitment to restore their works and make those works even better than before.
From: RBG Blakademics Curriculum Standards Outline/ Spirituality and the Psycho-Affective Domain

2. What Is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.
Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon
Granger, landed in Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved
were now free...two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation -
which had become official January 1, 1863. One of General Granger’s first orders of business
was to read to the people of Texas, General order Number 3 which began most significantly
with:
“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of
the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of
property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between
them becomes that between employer and free laborer.”
The reaction to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation. While many
lingered...many left. Even with nowhere to go, many felt that leaving the plantation would be
their first grasp at freedom. Many went up north and others joined family in Louisiana, Arkansas,
and Oklahoma.
Recounting the memories of that great day in June of 1865 and its festivities would serve as
motivation as well as a release from the growing pressures encountered in the new territory. The
celebration of June 19th was coined “Juneteenth” and grew with more participation from
descendants. The Juneteenth celebration was a time for reassuring each other, for praying and for
gathering remaining family members. A range of activities were provided to entertain the
masses...Rodeos, fishing, barbecuing, and baseball were just a few of the activities. Juneteenth
almost always focused on education and self-improvement. Thus often guest speakers were
brought in and the elders were called upon to recount the events of the past. Prayer services were
also a major part of the celebrations. Certain foods became popular, such as strawberry soda and
barbecue. Food was abundant because everyone prepared a special dish. Meats such as lamb,
pork, and beef which not available everyday were brought on this special occasion. A true
Juneteenth celebration left visitors well satisfied and with enough conversation to last until the
next. Juneteenth is now celebrated worldwide.
Taken from Juneteenth World Wide Celebration Website

3. RELATED RBG Communiversity RESOURCES:
Dr. Carr Does Libation
Dr. Carr, Kwame Toure Society and others from Howard
University pouring out libation at New York’s Afrikan
Burial ground
RBG Ancestral Libation and Ancestor's Prayer
RBG Ancestral Libation and Ancestor’s Prayer- Document Transcript
Ancestral Libation
To all our ancestors of antiquity, who developed great knowledge and gave civilization to the
world. (Group) Your will to be, lives in me. Ase! To all our ancestors who were fortunate to be
buried on the soil of Alkebu-lan (Africa) our motherland. (Group) Your will to be, lives in me.
Ase! To all our ancestors who were lost and killed during the voyage of the Middle
Passage.(Group) Your will to be, lives in me. Ase! To all our ancestors who suffered the cruelty
of the horrible institution of slavery, racism, segregation and oppression in North America, South
America, the Caribbean Islands, the Middle East, and throughout the world.(Group) Your will to
be, lives in me. Ase! We say thank you, great ancestors for the precious gift of your blood, sweat

4. and tears who fought for freedom, justice and equality.(Group) Your will to be, lives in me. Ase!
To our ancestors, in your honor,(Group) I promise, as a descendant and benefactor of your life,
to uphold truth without fear, and to never forget you and your sacrifices as I teach myself and our
children to honor and respect you. Ase! To our ancestors, in your honor,(Group) I promise to
assume the responsibility in continuing on the path of progress and build upon the foundation
you have laid before us. Ase! To our ancestors, in your honor,(Group) I promise to remove the
fear, ignorance, shame and self-hatred of my Afrikan History and Re-claim the cultural heritage
and consciousness of spiritual oneness. Ase! To our ancestors, in your honor,(Group) I promise
to continue to build a new world for and with our children, based on our traditional cultural
principles and values. Ase! To all the spirits of our individual families, known and unknown by
name, and whom we silently remember in our hearts.(Group) We praise and honor you. May
your spirit be filled with light and progress and may the light guide us through the fear and
ignorance of our times. Ase! Moment of Silence: ADUPE ARIKU BABA WA (Thank You, by
the Spirit of Our Ancestors) (ALL) Ase! Ase! Ase! (So shall it be!)
Ancestors Prayer
Our great Afrikan parents who are among us we humbly offer our thanks for the many blessings
you have given. We extend our love to its ultimate state of being - For the suffering that you
have endured so that we may not suffer so. Mothers of our great Afrikan nation Fathers of our
Afrikan selves - We invoke you to further lead and guide us to a higher understanding Of our
true greatness - And a more encompassing dedication of love for our Afrikan people. Parents of
all Afrikan children; Guide us toward a greater unity - Guide us in a stronger Afrikan Value
System and lead us into the zenith of respect and love for our people, through education and the
"Family Communal Structure" We swear upon the heritage and legacy that you have left us to
uphold and sustain our rightful status on this earth, and to continue the struggle for the total
mental and physical liberation of all Afrikan People.
ADUPE ARIKU BABA WA (Thank You, by the Spirit of Our Ancestors) Ase
RBG Street Scholar /Blk Aug. 2012