Why Kamitic/Kemetic Shamanism?

Hetepu (Peace) Family.

In the past few days, I have had some people ask me why Kamitic/Kemetic shamanism? Well, before answering that question, it should be noted that…

Kamitic/Kemetic priest in leopard pelt

…in 1972, a 50, 000 year-old-Neanderthal burial site was unearthed in Southern France by two French archeologists. The burial site, which became known as the Hortus site, contained the remains of a man wearing a leopard skin with claws and tails still intact, but no leopard bones were found in the grave.  The only cultural comparisons the archeologists had on record, was that in other culture, tribal shamans were known to wear similar capes made from animal skins and be buried with ritual objects. The archeologists concluded that the man must have been a shaman.  My question is how come the same conclusion is not drawn about the Kamitic/Kemetic (ancient Egyptians) priests and priestesses who were known to wear similar garments and be buried with ritual objects as well?

Could it be, that if the Kamitic/Kemetic priesthood were actually shamans, it would mean that Kamitic spirituality is at least 50,000 years-old or older?

Could it be, that by calling the Kamitic/Kemetic priesthood and society itself a shamanic culture, it would cause some to sympathize with traditional African people, the same way people did after it was realized globally what colonizers had done in degrading the culture of the Native Americans and indigenous Australians? Maybe?

Well, I tend to think the conspiracy is a little deeper than the above reasons because shamanism is not a religion.  Shamanism is a time-tested, widespread, practical, healing, spiritual system that is not bound by any land, people, culture, language, etc. In other words, it is not bound by doctrine, dogma or a set of holy rules. It is a spiritual tradition that only those who have been called and have acknowledged the call can be shamans, but the tradition itself can be practiced by anyone.  This would mean, that the reason the same conclusion was not reached about the Kamitic/Kemetic society being a shamanic culture is because if it were the case. People would realize that if the Kamitic people achieved greatness by tapping into their divinity without any religious order, they could achieve similar results. Therefore, it serves the religious few for people to believe that there is a need for organized religion.

I believe also if it were stated that the Kamitic/Kemetic people were a shamanic culture it would unite them with the rest of traditional Africa, who not only followed but continue to practice the custom of burying their dead with the last objects the individual used, which archeologists referred to as treasures.  Here is a listing of the most common items buried with the dead. Many of these items you will find early African Americans of Kongo descent placed on their deceased loved one’s graves.  Many of these practices are still practiced in the United States.

• Personal Belongings – It was customary for the most personal belongings of the deceased, such as their eating utensils, walking sticks, blankets, etc., to be buried with them.  Favorite pieces of jewelry were bured with the dead, along with decorations from the home.

• Seashells – Seashells (especially white) are associated with the spirit world in many early African religions. They believed the world of the dead was connected to the living by the ocean or water.

• Broken Pottery – Pottery that belonged to the departed is often broken on top of their grave so their spirit would not come looking for them. Incorporate broken bottle pieces into your African funeral tribute. You could use some of your loved one’s items, or terracotta pots.

• Lamps/Fire – Oil lamps or bonfires were used in traditional African funerals because the light pointed the way to glory. Create a tribute around a central flame or flame bowl.

• Mirror Pieces – Mirror pieces and other shiny objects were often used in traditional African funerals. It was thought that their ancestral spirits could be seen in the reflection. Use mirror pieces, gold or other reflective pieces in your African funeral tribute.

  So, the question, why Kamitic/Kemetic shamanism?

Well, besides the reasons given above, because shamanism is not a religion. It doesn’t require that you practice it once or twice a week. There is no obligation. It is not based upon theory but upon physical, tangible results. If it works you use it. If it doesn’t you don’t use it. It’s that Simple.  There is no one forcing or goading you into doing something that you do not agree, believe or comprehend.  You don’t mimic what other cultures have done nor do you have wear elaborate costumes. None of that is necessary because it is not about mimicking forms. At the same time it challenges you to live correctly by rewarding you when you do live according to Maa (balance/truth) because it focuses on spiritual content.  When you do not live according to Maa, you don’t advance or achieve your goals. This isn’t a punishment from some Supreme Deity, it is simply the consequences of your actions and behaviors.

Protected by Hru (Horus)

The interesting thing about shamanism is that all of the books in the world can help you but none of them will prepare you for this mystical journey. This is the problem with a lot of traditions.  They have a set of recipes on how to do something based upon some old records or grimoires but they don’t have the discipline or the wisdom to carry it out. This is not the case in shamanistic practices because it is a spiritual healing practice based mainly upon trial and error. Where you acquire more divine power through your own self-discipline.  Some people might not like this approach and prefer to be told the rules and the how-to’s.  The advantage of not having any rules or “no regla” as it is called in Spanish, is that you work directly with your Spirits, which is easier in some ways because you are not following exact recipes.

So, this is some of the reasons why I follow the Kamitic/Kemetic shamanic path.

Hope that helps.

Derric “Rau Khu” Moore

Happy Birthday: Another Initiation Passed

This week I am another day older thanks to Kamitic/Kemetic spirituality. Sometimes I wondered how I was going to make it, but it was truly this Kamitic/Kemetic Way of Life that saved me.  I remember when I was 15 looking at the depressing news and hearing the most discouraging words of power from the media during the crack cocaine 1980s, “Young black males won’t make it to 18”, then it went to “21”, “25”. Well, I am 30 something! I made it and now I am trying to help others to get out of  that destructive cycle.

I never understood what this cycle was until I went through my experience and my ancestors taught me about the maa aankh, a Kamitic/Kemetic cosmogram inspired by the Kongo Cross.  You see according to the maa aankh.  The destructive cycle that a lot of young people (especially young men) fall into is called Ra, which is associated with the point Tu-Kula in Ki-Kongo. Both of these points are red and they correspond to the midday sun.  Red is the color of caution, danger, vitality and emergency and on the maa aankh it is associated with the  envious brother of Osar (Asar, Ausar, Osiris) named Set. Set for those who don’t know is the author of confusion, war, chaos, destruction, you name it, if it is evil he has his hands on it. His original name is Set and later he became known as Set-an and finally Satan.  His color by the way is also red.

Ra leads to Ra Atum, which is the point of completion, the end, death and transformation.  Ra Atum is associated with the Luvemba point which is the color white. White is the color of our elders’ gray hair, it is the color of the ancestors, and the cool color of the Lord Osar.

In the natural sense it is okay if you have mastered what is necessary in a particular cycle for you to change, be transformed or die, because it only means that you will be reborn from your experience (hence, the return of old souls being reborn as babies).  But, when you die at an early age and haven’t learned anything or what you were supposed to learn.  We die prematurely both spiritually and physically. Looking back at how I made it and survived the 1980s, I see that I had to learn how to temper the fire (anger, attitude, rashness, rebelliousness, etc.) and have a cool head. I had to learn how to balance the heat with coolness.   I had to listen to my elders who were much wiser and had more experience than I, so that I could avoid dying prematurely. It was by doing that, I was able to escape those turbulent times, pass the initiation (test) created by life and now metaphorically speaking wear the double pschent crown, like Hru (Hrw, Heru, Horus).

For a complete discourse and in-depth analysis see:
MAA AANKH: Finding God the Afro-American Way, by Honoring the Ancestors and Guardian Spirits.

How I Got Over: Big THANKS to Kamit/Kemet

As I sit back and look at the all the calamity in the world broadcasted by the news media, that paints a picture of serious doom and gloom. My soul does wonder how I got over. It comes to me that the ancestors knowledgeable of Kamit/Kemet helped me a lot but why? My ancestors remind me that when I was growing up during the crack cocaine 1980s, that it was hard to find things that were positive and uplifting.It was the rap of Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Poor Righteous Teachers, Gangstarr, DeLa Soul, Black Sheep, Public Enemy, KRS-1 & BDP, Rakim & Erik B, Brand Nubians and many others that got the word out about Afrocentrism, and inspired me to read about Martin L. King and Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik Shabazz), Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela, Miriam Mekeba and countless other activists.  It was the voices of the ancestors speaking through the youth that helped make a way when all else seemed nearly impossible to begin my journey on the Kamitic/Kemetic path.

You see Kamit/Kemet is the source of inspiration for a lot of people. One look at the pyramids, sphinx and other ancient edifices can easily lead the onlooker to fantasizing and drifting to a far away ancient time. But, when you are akin biologically and/or culturally to the Kamitic/Kemetic people and their way of life. It takes on a whole new meaning. Kamit/Kemet becomes more than a source of inspiration but a guiding model, which is why it is not necessary for those who are biologically and culturally akin to the Kamitic/Kemetic people to reconstruct and recreate what was done thousands of years ago. All we need to do is tap back into our cultural way of living.

Kamitic/Kemetic Spirituality and Love

Post originally appeared on the Land of Kam website at 3/3/10

I dedicate this post to my grandparents. Thanks for teaching me about true love.

Kamitic/Kemetic Spirituality is real and in regards to love it is powerful.  Last month, TV1 featured during Black History month some movies that made an impact on Black American culture. As I sat book and looked at some of these films I remember growing up seeing those influences and the impact it has had upon many of us today.  Now, don’t get me wrong. I love some blaxploitation movies like the next man. I was fond of Shaft, (THE REAL) Foxy Brown, and I really like Black Cesar but let’s be serious, none of these movies were really Culturally relevant. Yeah, they helped us to move beyond certain issues and take pride in our physical characteristics but they also damaged us spiritually I believe in regards to true African American spirituality and relationships. One film that sort of hinted upon this was Mario Van Peebles’ Panther, where he showed a lot of women were expected to just sit back and support their man as he went to fight da man.

Now, what amazes me about people claiming to be reconstructionists or resurrectionists of the Kamitic/Kemetic Way.  Is that when you look at them you find that they are not dedicated to any of the principles as it relates to health, which are virtues that were guarded by the sisters. Now, I am not casting stones but if you look at the wall art and sculptures you see that the Kamau weren’t grossly overweight people.  In regards to family, men weren’t all macho-breadwinners and women just sat at home and supported their husbands. This idea that women of Kamit/Kemet were queens that were either weak, soft-spoken women or hardcore women, and men were just warriors is a total Euro-centric view based upon Euro-centric fairy tales, history and Euro-centric values. This is why there are so many women claiming to honor the lioness spirit Sekhmet, the energy/spirit of female hard-coreness (She is a dragon-lady).

True Kamitic/Kemetic Spirituality in regards to Love/Relationships was based upon the concepts and principles of Maa (Divine Law, Order, Balance and Harmony) and personified through the spirit Maat. This means true Kamitic/Kemetic Spirituality was based upon the idea and belief that everything that exists plays a part/role in a bigger whole of things. In short everything was related like a family.  True Kamticism does not value one sex over another. Both chauvanism and feminism are wrong stemming from Euro-centric way of life. True Kamiticism is holistic meaning both male and female are interdependent upon each other in order to create life, peace and harmony for all because he and she is a reflection of the Divine.

I came to this conclusion on what true Kamitic/Kemetic Spirituality is especially in regards to relationship by observing how my grandfather and grandmother interacted with each other. They like most couples had their ups and downs but in the end they were able to assist me in this subject because they had been married for over 60 years, hence the proof is in the pudding.  And before they passed, they still hit on each other like they were teenagers falling in love for the first time. My grandfather never hit my grandmother and instructed his sons not to do so as well because it was a sign of cowardice. He also instructed his sons never to give a woman a reason to want to hit him.  At the same time, my grandmother never provoked my grandfather to hit her because she explained to my mother and aunts that it was a sign of weakness. She also told them the same thing, never give a man a reason to hit them either. Both the women and the men were taught to protect themselves but as you can see they were both given practical, insightful wisdom that dealt with inner strengths and outer weaknesses.

Did my grandparents get angry with each other? Of course, they did.  Anytime you are dealing with another person there’s bound to be some disagreement.  In fact, many times I remember my grandmother stubbornly walking to Sunday school because my grandfather was late to church (she couldn’t drive). At the same time, I remember this same determination of my grandmother being used to make my grandfather humble himself and do whatever she wanted. They were interesting to watch because they never sent each other a cuss. They never physically fought each other like couples do today because they respected each other and respected each others’ input to the whole.  If you get what I am saying, you will see that my grandfather and grandmother were a tag team couple. They were completely different yet at the same time similar because they were interdependent upon each other. They complimented and got on each other nerves at the same time, while still loving each other for 60, I believe 75 years of marriage (they were married at age 17 and 16). The thing I learned from them, is that they never let their emotions get the best of them.

The best way I can describe how my grandparents functioned with each other is by the old hoodoo adage “whatever works” to keep the peace, harmony and love amongst each other without disrespecting the other. This was their formula for success. Yes, my grandfather was about being macho, a real man, which is why he hunted (like a lot of the older men did back in the day) for food for the family (not just for sport), he ate raw oysters and did other “manly things”.  While my grandmother did “womanly things” like wore lovely dresses adorned, sweet seductive perfume with the superfly hats black women love to wear, she was a mean cook in the kitchen, but these were all part of their characters. These roles, or tasks didn’t define who they were and they sure as hell didn’t mean anything to them when it came to their family.

Taken after 60 Years of Marriage

I am reminded by my ancestors that you have a right and left hand, and this is what man and woman are in regards to Kamitic spirituality and love. It is all about complimentary to the whole. So, it begs me to ask this question, if your spirituality is not complimenting your physical well being, or your relationship isn’t prospering like it should that maybe it is based upon the Greek-Roman-Egyptian invading culture that came after most of the Africans of Kamit left.

Hello World!

Hetepu (Peace to You All) Family, my name is Derric Moore and I along with several netizens around the USA created the Land of Kam website in 2001 because we were very interested in the  Kamitic (Kemetic, Khamitic or simply the Ancient Africans of Egypt) spiritual tradition but lived in very remote areas away from actual spiritual communities.  Several of us had dealings with several Kamitic spiritual study groups and had interacted with others in various Afro-Diaspora traditions, so we understood the importance of continuing our studies but found it extremely difficult to do so without any support.  We also understood the importance of our ancestors, or at least we thought we did from an intellectual perspective, so we all had an ancestral altar.  It was through my ancestors that I was given the name “Rau Khu” and this is how the Land of Kam was created.  It was created basically as a platform to encourage and inspire each other (and others) to continue reading and studying these Kamitic concepts and principles.

Then several years later, my body became deathly ill, so naturally I being the main contributor of the site had to take a hiatus, while focusing all of my attention to attaining, regaining and maintaining my health.  It was during this time, as I literally fought to survive, I had a chance to see Kamitic spirituality from a unique perspective because; I was functioning from a different state of consciousness sometimes referred to as the Death Awareness. Simply put, if you don’t know what the afterlife holds or have no proof that heaven or hell exists, how can you live your life on this material plane? When you get a true glimpse of what happens to the soul after we physically die or what happens after death, you have a better understanding and appreciation for life. That’s when you really come to understand that life is an adventure and that you have no time to deal with any drama or foolishness.

It was from this awareness as I literally applied the Kamitic concepts and principles to my life in order to overcome my illness and regain my health, that I made a very deep connection with my ancestors and guardian spirits.  That’s when I discovered that the core of Kamitic spirituality is an ancestral shamanistic tradition that focuses upon healing or maintaining Maa (balance, order, holism, etc.). This unique understanding made me realize what I had known all along that biologically and culturally speaking, the Kamitic people were black and brown skinned Africans.  This meant that despite what some try to claim, true Kamitic spirituality (like most African derived religions and traditions) is not a “book religion or practice”.  In other words, all of the books you have read about the Kamitic mental science, Kamitic religion, Kamitic tradition, Kamitic philosophy, Kamitic Way of Life, etc. aren’t going to teach you about true Kamitic Spirituality. The only way to learn true Kamitic Spirituality, which is essentially Ancient African Spirituality, is to live it by establishing a relationship with the Divine through your ancestors.  This is alluded to in the Legend of Osar (Asar, Ausar, Osiris), which is how Hru (Hrw, Heru, Horus) by working with his ancestor was able to defeat his uncle Set with the power of God or Ra/Rau. A lot of times people get all caught up in the science that they forget that most of the grand edifices of Kamit were built and dedicated to the honorable dead – ancestors (aakhu).

Knowing that the Kamitic initiation or mystery systems are really about being reborn with a new state of awareness, inspired me to make drastic changes to the Land of Kam.  Since, Kamitic Spirituality is essentially Ancient African Spirituality, it became more important than ever to make it known that while it is culturally important to know that the Kamitic people were black and brown skinned Africans. The Kamitic Way is basically an Ancestral Practice or Way – meaning it has nothing to do with the color of one’s skin per se but rather one’s African-derived and influenced culture.  In other words, if an individual(s) is not biologically and/or culturally akin to the Kamitic people, they would have to heavily rely upon the writings of archeologists and other Western trained scholars just to get, as some would call it, “one leg” or one side of the picture.  This is because they have no ancestral link (biologically or culturally), which would ultimately contribute to them having an identity crisis and inspire them to adopt various forms (customs, attire, etc.) without having a clear understanding of the concepts and principles.

Understanding this, the Land of Kam websites and blogs were created to encourage, empower and inspire people throughout the African Diaspora, to improve their life by investing in their ancient African ancestral legacy.  It is not as difficult as some make it seem. Yes, the mental sciences are deep but they are nothing when you truly begin to explore the mysteries of the Spirit because it all part of our ancient African legacy.   When you truly understand what Kamitic Spirituality is really about, it becomes clear why some have tried to make it so difficult for us to really understand, because it is not in the books but in the mind, heart and soul of every Kamitic descendant.

For a complete discourse and in-depth analysis see:
MAA AANKH: Finding God the Afro-American Way, by Honoring the Ancestors and Guardian Spirits.

Welcome to the Land of Kam Blog

Hetepu (Peace to You All) Family, my name is Derric Moore and I along with several netizens around the USA created the Land of Kam website in 2001 because we were very interested in the  Kamitic (Kemetic, Khamitic or simply the Ancient Africans of Egypt) spiritual tradition but lived in very remote areas away from actual spiritual communities.  Several of us had dealings with several Kamitic spiritual study groups and had interacted with others in various Afro-Diaspora traditions, so we understood the importance of continuing our studies but found it extremely difficult to do so without any support.  We also understood the importance of our ancestors, or at least we thought we did from an intellectual perspective, so we all had an ancestral altar.  It was through my ancestors that I was given the name “Rau Khu” and this is how the Land of Kam was created.  It was created basically as a platform to encourage and inspire each other (and others) to continue reading and studying these Kamitic concepts and principles.
Then several years later, my body became deathly ill, so naturally I being the main contributor of the site had to take a hiatus, while focusing all of my attention to attaining, regaining and maintaining my health.  It was during this time, as I literally fought to survive, I had a chance to see Kamitic spirituality from a unique perspective because; I was functioning from a different state of consciousness sometimes referred to as the Death Awareness. Simply put, if you don’t know what the afterlife holds or have no proof that heaven or hell exists, how can you live your life on this material plane? When you get a true glimpse of what happens to the soul after we physically die or what happens after death, you have a better understanding and appreciation for life. That’s when you really come to understand that life is an adventure and that you have no time to deal with any drama or foolishness.
It was from this awareness as I literally applied the Kamitic concepts and principles to my life in order to overcome my illness and regain my health, that I made a very deep connection with my ancestors and guardian spirits.  That’s when I discovered that the core of Kamitic spirituality is an ancestral shamanistic tradition that focuses upon healing or maintaining Maa (balance, order, holism, etc.). This unique understanding made me realize what I had known all along that biologically and culturally speaking, the Kamitic people were black and brown skinned Africans.  This meant that despite what some try to claim, true Kamitic spirituality (like most African derived religions and traditions) is not a “book religion or practice”.  In other words, all of the books you have read about the Kamitic mental science, Kamitic religion, Kamitic tradition, Kamitic philosophy, Kamitic Way of Life, etc. aren’t going to teach you about true Kamitic Spirituality. The only way to learn true Kamitic Spirituality, which is essentially Ancient African Spirituality, is to live it by establishing a relationship with the Divine through your ancestors.  This is alluded to in the Legend of Osar (Asar, Ausar, Osiris), which is how Hru (Hrw, Heru, Horus) by working with his ancestor was able to defeat his uncle Set with the power of God or Ra/Rau. A lot of times people get all caught up in the science that they forget that most of the grand edifices of Kamit were built and dedicated to the honorable dead – ancestors (aakhu).

Knowing that the Kamitic initiation or mystery systems are really about being reborn with a new state of awareness, inspired me to make drastic changes to the Land of Kam.  Since, Kamitic Spirituality is essentially Ancient African Spirituality, it became more important than ever to make it known that while it is culturally important to know that the Kamitic people were black and brown skinned Africans. The Kamitic Way is basically an Ancestral Practice or Way – meaning it has nothing to do with the color of one’s skin per se but rather one’s African-derived and influenced culture.  In other words, if an individual(s) is not biologically and/or culturally akin to the Kamitic people, they would have to heavily rely upon the writings of archeologists and other Western trained scholars just to get, as some would call it, “one leg” or one side of the picture.  This is because they have no ancestral link (biologically or culturally), which would ultimately contribute to them having an identity crisis and inspire them to adopt various forms (customs, attire, etc.) without having a clear understanding of the concepts and principles.
Understanding this, the Land of Kam websites and blogs were created to encourage, empower and inspire people throughout the African Diaspora, to improve their life by investing in their ancient African ancestral legacy.  It is not as difficult as some make it seem. Yes, the mental sciences are deep but they are nothing when you truly begin to explore the mysteries of the Spirit because it all part of our ancient African legacy.   When you truly understand what Kamitic Spirituality is really about, it becomes clear why some have tried to make it so difficult for us to really understand, because it is not in the books but in the mind, heart and soul of every Kamitic descendant.

For a complete discourse and in-depth analysis see:
MAA AANKH: Finding God the Afro-American Way, by Honoring the Ancestors and Guardian Spirits.