KANDA
At The Root of Palo Kongo Tradition
Lumbu-ki bisikanda, mabazi bakulu ba kanda, variant Lumbu-ki lesi bia knada, bazi bakulu mu kanda!
"Today we are community members; tomorrow we will be the ancestors of the community. What we do and think today prepares us for what will be the community's assessment tomorrow. If we are today, simple individuals within the community, we may tomorrow be deified (spiritualized), i.e. be considered as the source of driving forces and radiations within the living community, and this in accordance with our attitude
vis-à-vis to that community during our physical lifetime. Any seed can give life to a big tree."
This is one of many Kongo proverbs that are taught to the community about community. "Kanda" is one of the most important elements of the Bakongo social structure. The word Kanda means community and for the adherents of the Palo Kongo religion, it is the central point of focus. In order to understand Kongo spiritual beliefs one must first focus upon the fact that these traditions are practiced in a communal fashion, one very different than that of the "new age" world, which practices in a more individualistic approach. Our beliefs are lived and lived alive. They are an integral part of our lifestyle and aren't confined to specific meeting places or prescheduled times. There is no isolation or a person with "his" or "her" god. Nzambi dwells in community; we are tied by blood and lineage, and therefore realize our nature and learn who we are through the community.
The Kanda is the embodiment of a spiritual reality that stems from the enduring teachings of the Bakulu, (ancestors). It is composed of a fraternal brotherhood, a spiritual family that in many cases includes both the living and the dead. The role of the Kanda is to share in responsibility, activities, the perpetuation of traditional beliefs, spiritual practices and the mission of being able to adapt to change while preserving the integrity of the uniqueness of the path. We strive together for the continuum of our ways.
In Palo Kongo strength lies in union. When one is involved in a traditional life, one cannot exist alone. One owes one's existence to that of the Kanda and to those of past generations. We are part of a whole. This union not only includes us, but the union of our personal ancestors to those of the Kanda. Within the Kanda there is always a leader, an Elder. He is the embodiment of all ancestral power. He speaks and acts in the ancestors' name. He has religious authority over all the members of the family, and therefore is entitled to respect and authority. He has been chosen by the ancestors and therefore obeys their will appropriately. His role is also that of principal teacher of the ways of the path. He is the advisor and the person who leads in order to elevate and ensure our existence.
The members of a Kanda should always strive to lead a harmonious social life. Respect, honesty and loyalty define the relationship amongst one another. There should be trust and the kinship ties should form a social niche that affords its members a feeling of social security. The Bakongo endeavor to keep a close-knit community. They believe that the fundamental value of life is living, here and in world of the Bakulu. Elements such as love, charity, forgiveness, good fellowship and concern for one another are of great importance and are perceived to be the basis to attain a good community. This synchronization and unification guarantees that the whole community stands strong on the vertical plane that separates the earth and the skies, and lower and upper worlds. Once this is attained, the heart of what Palo Kong is flows effortlessly: the ability to communicate to both kalunga, Nzambie and the Bakulu. |
