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“.
Gànlɔdó Xɔ́tómɛ̀ an Aja-Fon Afrikan Maroon Monarchy
