(Re)Rooted in Nia with Hoodoo
Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness
“True greatness and growth never occur in isolation and at others’ expense. On the contrary, as African philosophy teaches, we are first and foremost social beings whose reality and relevance are rooted in the quality and kinds of relations we have with each other…Our purpose is not to simply create money makers, but to cultivate men and women capable of social and human exchange on a larger more meaningful scale” (OfficialKwanzaaWebsite.org).
In “It’s Time to Gwine ‘ome to Hoodoo,” I shared some key elements of hoodoo. Here’s the list, along with an explanation of how each one keeps us rooted in Nia, our purpose:
Getting Our Hands Back in the Dirt
That constant connection reminds us that we ain’t above nature; we’re one in the same and we’re dependent on it.
Eating, Healing, and Surrounding Ourselves with Plants as Much as Possible
They give us the fuel we need to think clearly, live longer, and bounce back from pain faster.
Choosing Silence More Often
Cut the tv off, put the phone away, and spend more time with yourself and your thoughts. That’s how you declutter your mind, learn to slow down, and tap into the God in you.
Building Villages and Fulfilling Our Roles Within Those Communities
You ain’t gotta start from scratch unless what you need don’t exist. If it does, reach across the table and connect. Build the support system you need for yourself, and don’t rely on one group to give you everything you need.
When you find em, don’t just take and don’t just give. It can’t work like that. You gotta do both. Help people and learn how to let people help you. This way, you start to see how you can be of service in a way that improves their life and makes yours more meaningful, fulfilling, and purposeful.
Checking Our Goals to See If It’s Our True Desire/Calling or Capitalism’s Need For Us to Constantly Want More
It’s so easy to get caught up in wanting more clothes, a newer car, a bigger house, a private jet, a million/billion dollars, and all the other flashy things. And ain’t nothing wrong it as long as it serves a purpose beyond yourself and doesn’t keep you enslaved to the grind. Make yo money, just don’t be a slave to it. Learn how to feel peace and happiness at every income level. Otherwise, you’ll die on the hamster wheel.
Krakin Teet with Our Elders and Sharing What We Learned with the Chi’ren
It’s even better if the kids tag along with you. My 17yearold said he missed Ms. Smith one day. Then my 13yearold added that Ms. Sarah was her favorite. They were referring to elders I used to visit/interview before they passed. I brought my kids along when I ain’t have a babysitter, but they hated going and I ain’t even think they were paying attention. But they were. And seeing their parents (because my ex-husband did too) love on so many elders taught them how to care for folk they are and ain’t related to. It’s the best model of compassion, community, and purpose.
Even if you ain’t got no kids or they ain’t tagging along, you can still share the stories you’ve been told. They can be your nieces, nephews, grandkids, friends’ kids, or any other child you’re connected to. Tell em who they remind you of and how. They love dat.
If you wanna add more elders to your village, a few ways to do so are: volunteering at a nursing home or senior community center, joining a book club or gardening or quilting class (or some other group where you’ll be the youngest person there), and walking round the park or neighborhood at a dedicated time everyday and after waving to the same elder a few times, introducing yourself and asking to walk with em.