Commemorating the Nawɔnkúvɔ

This weekend at the Gànlɔdó Vodun Maroon Monarchy we remember the Nawɔnkúvɔ. In the Fon dialect of the Aja language, Nawɔnkúvɔ is the proper term used to represent the major nadir of Máwùfenumeto lee (Afrikans) in Máwùfe (Afrika), the horrid advent of the captivity of our kulito Máwùfenumeto (Afrikan Ancestors), and the utter chaos and oppression that we experience to date. However, in this we find a way to honor and celebrate the resilience of our ancestors of good character and our ability to raise ourselves beyond the degeneracy of previous and current times. It is during this time we heal by acknowledging the truth of how our ancestors;  one of them being 98% of them were hunted down and sold by other Afrikans to the yovo (non Afrikans, but in this case “white” people) eventually landing on evil plantations where they toiled the rest of their lives. Many were prisoners of war which does not justify this diabolical event any further. Thus, to remember the Nawɔnkúvɔ is to be ever present to pain and damage of captivity, the internal fall of Afrikans, oppression, kwk which in turn sparks us to be ever vigilant in finding solutions for these ills leading us towards sovereignty. Lastly, the Nawɔnkúvɔ implores us to acknowledge and actively deal with our eternal enemy – the non-Afrikan. This is why our monarchy is called Gànlɔdó from the longer Aja phrase “ߦߋ ߘߏ ߜ߯ߊߣ ߜߊ ߖߟߊ ߘߏ ߘߏߜ߳ߏ ߕߎߕߏ ߥߋ – Ye do gan gba jla do dokpo tuto we”– those that broke the chains to restore order“. 

Today We Celebrate the Liberation Effort of Nat Turner at Ganlodo

Ku do azan Gufon Nat Turner, mavomavo! “Greetings on this Nat Turner Rebellion Day!”

Today we celebrate the gufonu (rebellious) spirit and warrior actions of the great ancestor Nat Turner (mavomavo – Aja word to spiritually honor a great spirit) and those who followed him who took the idea of liberation and freedom in their own hands. They did not wait on the yovo to tell them they were free. They KILLED the yovo (whites) -children, their female dogs (“women”), and all,  rightfully so, to become free. Unfortunately, the rebellion was put to a stop because of, you guessed it, house negroes. These same negroes are around now and many hide behind Afrikan clothing and Afrikan spiritual systems.

However Gufonto Nat Turner , mavomavo, inspired the spirit in Maroonage in many captive Afrikans in the amerikkkas, encouraging them to not only leave the physical plantation and physical so called master but the also to rid the captive plantation and so called master from their minds. We are inspired today by the profound actions of Nat Turner, mavomavo, at the Ganlodo Maroon Monarchy. His spirit will only get stronger.