Your Song Child
When a woman in a certain African tribe
knows she is pregnant, she goes out into the
wilderness with a few friends, and together, they
pray and meditate until they hear the song of the
child.
They recognize that every soul has its own
vibration that expresses its unique flavor and
purpose. When the women attune to the song,
they sing it out loud. Then they return to the tribe
and teach it to everyone else.
When the child is born, the community
gathers and sings the child’s song to him or her.
Later, when the child enters education, the village
gathers and chants the child’s song.
When the child passes through initiation to
adulthood, the people again come together and
sing. At the time of marriage, the person hears his
or her song.
Finally, when the soul is about to pass from
this world, the family and friends gather at the
person’s bed, just as they did at their birth, and
they sing the person to the next life.
Deep inside us we all know that we have a
song, and wish that our family and friends would
recognize it, and support us singing it. We are all
longing to be seen, appreciated and loved for
being who we truly are.
In the African tribe there is one other
occasion upon which the villagers sing to the
child.
If at any time during his or her life, the
person commits a crime or an aberrant social act,
the individual is called to the center of the village
and the people in the community form a circle
around them. Then they sing their song to them.
The tribe recognizes that correction for antisocial
behavior is not punishment; it is love and the
remembrance of identity.
When you recognize your own song in life,
put differently, are following the uniqe way of your
heart and destiny, you will probably feel no desire
or need to do or say or anything that would hurt
another.
A friend is someone who knows your song
and sings it to you when you have forgotten it.
Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes
you have made or dark images you may hold
about yourself.
They remember your beauty when you feel
ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your
innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose
when you are confused.
They know that you are a special person
with unique qualities, and that the world will be
enriched by your presence and actions.
They respect and love you, unconditionally,
when you are strong, as well as when you might
be feeling weak during the journey of your life.
We hope that you know your song and that
you’ll be singing it - and hope that you’ve got
loving and caring people around to remind you, in
case you should forget.
When a woman in a certain African tribe
knows she is pregnant, she goes out into the
wilderness with a few friends, and together, they
pray and meditate until they hear the song of the
child.
They recognize that every soul has its own
vibration that expresses its unique flavor and
purpose. When the women attune to the song,
they sing it out loud. Then they return to the tribe
and teach it to everyone else.
When the child is born, the community
gathers and sings the child’s song to him or her.
Later, when the child enters education, the village
gathers and chants the child’s song.
When the child passes through initiation to
adulthood, the people again come together and
sing. At the time of marriage, the person hears his
or her song.
Finally, when the soul is about to pass from
this world, the family and friends gather at the
person’s bed, just as they did at their birth, and
they sing the person to the next life.
Deep inside us we all know that we have a
song, and wish that our family and friends would
recognize it, and support us singing it. We are all
longing to be seen, appreciated and loved for
being who we truly are.
In the African tribe there is one other
occasion upon which the villagers sing to the
child.
If at any time during his or her life, the
person commits a crime or an aberrant social act,
the individual is called to the center of the village
and the people in the community form a circle
around them. Then they sing their song to them.
The tribe recognizes that correction for antisocial
behavior is not punishment; it is love and the
remembrance of identity.
When you recognize your own song in life,
put differently, are following the uniqe way of your
heart and destiny, you will probably feel no desire
or need to do or say or anything that would hurt
another.
A friend is someone who knows your song
and sings it to you when you have forgotten it.
Those who love you are not fooled by mistakes
you have made or dark images you may hold
about yourself.
They remember your beauty when you feel
ugly; your wholeness when you are broken; your
innocence when you feel guilty; and your purpose
when you are confused.
They know that you are a special person
with unique qualities, and that the world will be
enriched by your presence and actions.
They respect and love you, unconditionally,
when you are strong, as well as when you might
be feeling weak during the journey of your life.
We hope that you know your song and that
you’ll be singing it - and hope that you’ve got
loving and caring people around to remind you, in
case you should forget.
(Traditional Story passed on in griot tradition.
Rewritten by Jane Maluka for Your Song Child Project.)
The griot (pronounced gree-oh) is part of West African
tradition. It is a role of honor, designating someone
who maintains community tradition and memory
through storytelling, music, and dance.
info & music: http://www.janemaluka.com/index.html
