"I want my son to have this experience"
"Baba it was transformational I'll never be the same"
"Thank you Elder, I'll always remember this day"
"I know that I have people that will be counting on me to do right"
"I will make sure I give back to my community and take care of my family."
These were just some of the many comments the young men had after participating in a Rites of Passage activity held yesterday at Adena mound. Young men participated in a Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony. The Ceremony was led by Baba Koleoso Karade, aka Nashid Fakhrid-Deen, who has conducted Sweats since 1984. The young men were taught vital life lessons about family, career, community, faith in whatever religion they believe in, the importance of purity and good character.
"Baba it was transformational I'll never be the same"
"Thank you Elder, I'll always remember this day"
"I know that I have people that will be counting on me to do right"
"I will make sure I give back to my community and take care of my family."
These were just some of the many comments the young men had after participating in a Rites of Passage activity held yesterday at Adena mound. Young men participated in a Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony. The Ceremony was led by Baba Koleoso Karade, aka Nashid Fakhrid-Deen, who has conducted Sweats since 1984. The young men were taught vital life lessons about family, career, community, faith in whatever religion they believe in, the importance of purity and good character.
Symbolically the Elder men sat on top of a hill the young men, some present with their fathers, sat below us at our feet. Each elder took a turn giving advice and sharing life experience
Finally, Baba Koleoso led the young men into the Sweat Lodge. "Once you come out you will never be the same," he said ......... And when they emerged they showed appreciation for their community, will, life, and responsibility as a man. The young men were nervous, it was an uncomfortable situation, hot, crowded and beautiful at the same time. The unity and enlightment was evident. The symbolism: We must endure hardship with love and character in order to survive overcome and lead.... -Our ancestors struggled for us to be here, surely we can all stand a little heat-
Today our young men are bombarded with false images of masculinity. We see depictions of this constantly in modern media. From John Wayne to Rambo, Scarface, 50 cent and in a plethora of other hyper- masculine images. It seems manhood, is defined by how many women you sleep with, how much money you make without regard to legality, domination of other men, how big your gun is, love of self only, and a vulgar vocabulary.
Is this what our ancestors living and passed had in mind for us? Is this what society truly believes? In the name of all that is good I think not.
In almost every ancient culture and many cultures today young men go through Rites of Passage.
"In Rites-of-Passage programs, young people learn about becoming adults under the supervision of elders and peer counselors who have been through the right themselves.
Discussions and activities are relevant and timely, such as how to deal with strong feelings such as anger, how to develop responsible behaviors, improving relationships with others, and the importance of education. They teach young people about the changes happening in their minds and bodies as well as the responsibilities that come with those changes. Young people can examine their beliefs, values and thoughts in a non-threatening atmosphere.
According to Baba Koleoso Karade. Rites-of-Passage programs are a proven method of healing the black male. Karade has 25 years of experience working with African-American youth in higher education, as well as his personal spiritual journey. Karade was raised in the Baptist church, but also became an active minister in the Nation of Islam, an Imam of traditional Islam, studied with a Hindu Yogi, and in 1998 was initiated as a priest in the traditional African religion of Ifa. He blended his educational experience with aspects of African, Native American and Indian culture to create a specific Rites-of-Passage program, which speaks to the needs of black males. The program's goal is to develop healthy, culturally aware, responsible, BALANCED males. Through Rites-of-Passage programs such as these, young black males are initiated into manhood becoming the MEN so desperately needed in the community." -Tessaat Nefer Shekhem Ur Khufu.
When the ceremony ended Baba Koleoso gave each of the young men a Turkey Vulture feather, symbolic of transformation. Dying to the old self , the child, and emerging through, love, responsibility, endurance, community, and strength as a man.
"We are indeed, the Heroes and Saviors we seek!" - Baba Koleoso
Those interested in Rights of Passage can contact Quincy Murdock at quincy.murdock@fayette.kyschools.us or 859-940-5708.
Finally, Baba Koleoso led the young men into the Sweat Lodge. "Once you come out you will never be the same," he said ......... And when they emerged they showed appreciation for their community, will, life, and responsibility as a man. The young men were nervous, it was an uncomfortable situation, hot, crowded and beautiful at the same time. The unity and enlightment was evident. The symbolism: We must endure hardship with love and character in order to survive overcome and lead.... -Our ancestors struggled for us to be here, surely we can all stand a little heat-
Today our young men are bombarded with false images of masculinity. We see depictions of this constantly in modern media. From John Wayne to Rambo, Scarface, 50 cent and in a plethora of other hyper- masculine images. It seems manhood, is defined by how many women you sleep with, how much money you make without regard to legality, domination of other men, how big your gun is, love of self only, and a vulgar vocabulary.
Is this what our ancestors living and passed had in mind for us? Is this what society truly believes? In the name of all that is good I think not.
In almost every ancient culture and many cultures today young men go through Rites of Passage.
"In Rites-of-Passage programs, young people learn about becoming adults under the supervision of elders and peer counselors who have been through the right themselves.
Discussions and activities are relevant and timely, such as how to deal with strong feelings such as anger, how to develop responsible behaviors, improving relationships with others, and the importance of education. They teach young people about the changes happening in their minds and bodies as well as the responsibilities that come with those changes. Young people can examine their beliefs, values and thoughts in a non-threatening atmosphere.
According to Baba Koleoso Karade. Rites-of-Passage programs are a proven method of healing the black male. Karade has 25 years of experience working with African-American youth in higher education, as well as his personal spiritual journey. Karade was raised in the Baptist church, but also became an active minister in the Nation of Islam, an Imam of traditional Islam, studied with a Hindu Yogi, and in 1998 was initiated as a priest in the traditional African religion of Ifa. He blended his educational experience with aspects of African, Native American and Indian culture to create a specific Rites-of-Passage program, which speaks to the needs of black males. The program's goal is to develop healthy, culturally aware, responsible, BALANCED males. Through Rites-of-Passage programs such as these, young black males are initiated into manhood becoming the MEN so desperately needed in the community." -Tessaat Nefer Shekhem Ur Khufu.
When the ceremony ended Baba Koleoso gave each of the young men a Turkey Vulture feather, symbolic of transformation. Dying to the old self , the child, and emerging through, love, responsibility, endurance, community, and strength as a man.
"We are indeed, the Heroes and Saviors we seek!" - Baba Koleoso
Those interested in Rights of Passage can contact Quincy Murdock at quincy.murdock@fayette.kyschools.us or 859-940-5708.
