Yoga with African Traditions and Culture

The principle of yoga has been lost to us as Africans because, we have not taken time to understand it. There are number of things that we might not agree with in yoga and yet there are some that are totally acceptable and will conform to the natural laws of the universe. In fact, most of them do. It is a way of approach to human health in a most profound way from physical, mental and even spiritual and not necessarily religious.

This approach has been looked at, studied by many teachers (sensei), gurus and yogis from all over the world and they have a consensus that it is a beneficial practice to adopt.

When I look back at our own tradition, some of the things that were done by the elders had a lot of similarities to what yoga teaches. I will quote the Luhya tradition where I happen to come from. On the third day after circumcision, the circumciser will come home and he will have the boy sit by the door of his small hut facing outside. Covered in nothing but his blanket the boy will be given a talk that would guide him in his journey as a young adult. The circumciser with his hand on boy’s shoulders will say something like this, “your heart beat is strong, that is a beat of a man who stood the test of a knife and will carry out the responsibilities of a man without blinking. The knife that you now hold, is a symbol of your growth into a man old enough to plant a seed in a woman. Guard your ways, and not find yourself in some other man’s house or home. Be grounded in your belief of our people and the traditions of our ancestors. Hold the respect of your home, your father and grandfather. Respect your elders and never deviate from the norms of our culture.” We call it, “Khubita”, this my friends could be likened to a guided meditation…and many other things that would have been hailed by ancient yogis. The Maasai do a lot of chanting, something that is common in many other tribes as well similar to many different forms or styles of yoga.

At this point in time, I think yoga should be encouraged to all kinds of institutions. Why I say this, is born of the understanding that some people are more of visual learners including myself. Some very vital life lessons could be easily impacted through a physical practice like yoga. Yoga brews consciousness to our daily actions and creates a space of inquiry which would be critical in forming the mannerism that is forward moving and supportive to all. I stand to be corrected if I am wrong but this is my opinion.