Death, My Old Friend

By Robert Walker

At a time when a family member died

rather suddenly, unexpectedly

and in the grip of fear,

I decided that would not happen to me.

Thus I determined to get to know Death,

so, when he came for me,

we would greet each other,

and my going would be in the

company of a close companion.

So I invited him into my life

and over the years

we have come to know each other,

and he is as familiar as anyone I know.

And sometimes, sometimes

when the fire is hot,

and the drumming is good,

and the rhythm is right,

he will join me.

And we will dance together,

and it is, as old friends, that we,

arm in arm, circle the fire together.

And I ask him, good friend,

what can you tell me about life?

How should one live?

Being one of few words,

his answer was brief and to the point:

Life is short.

Make the most of it.

Live with no regrets.

Live as if each day is your last.

Photograph by Robert Walker

The Ancestor House is an important and central location for the many rituals that we have done over the years following the teachings of Malidoma Some who is from Burkina Faso in West Africa. At the Ancestor House, every year we do an Ancestralization which is a ritual in the Dagara tradition to help the Ancestors complete their journey to the Ancestral Realm. As a result it now contains hundreds of sacred objects that represent the many Ancestors that have been helped in this way. Other rituals are done inside the Ancestor House, and some of the rituals for the Elder Initiation are done on the roof which indicates very clearly that the Ancestors are in full support.

Robert Walker is an initiated elder in the Dagara tradition as taught in this country by the teacher Malidoma Some from Burkina Faso in west Africa. He is a founding member of the East Coast Village, a community that offers events and rituals in the Dagara tradition.