Visitors notice

On midweek Nubiart Nabi Lukombo from Bundu Dia Kongo came in to discuss ‘The Makongo’, the spiritual book of the Bena Kongo. Bundu Dia Kongo was established in 1986 by Ne Muanda Nsemi following in a long line of Bena Kongo societies over many centuries. Nabi Lukombo lamented the fact that Afrikans are always rejecting their own messengers in favour of European and Asiatic ideologies and religions. The Makongo includes the creation myth of the Bena Kongo and is written in Kikongo. The Bena Kongo came from the union of the Bana Ba Zulu male from the sky and the human Ne Nzala Mpandu. Out of this came twelve children - the first Afrikan nations. Afrikan humans existed before this union. Bana ba zulu = children of the sky; Bana ba toto = children of the earth.

On any similarity to the Judaeo-Christian concept of ‘Original Sin’ – conceived, born, living and dying in sin – there is more a concept of everyone having good and bad within them. On a similarity to the Ten Commandments or 42 Negative Confessions of the Kamitians, the Nabi pointed out that the book contains many laws and principles but they are not set out in a number style like in the other books. On transgressors it is “eye to eye, teeth to teeth”. There is no turning the other cheek as everybody gets taught the laws of the society from birth and so has to accept the consequences of transgression. “Afrikan people is like a lion you can’t try to play with a lion… you can’t slap a lion and the lion is watching you.” There is no pre-emptive law (i.e. they look like they may commit a crime in the future so I’ll get my retaliation in first) but if someone is persecuting you unjustly then you can return the ‘thunder’ to them and that will kill them.

On male-female relations and standing in society. The first ruler of the Bena Kongo was the queen Yaya Nzinga. “The women have all authority to the man.” The children are for the women and go with her if there is a split or divorce. The women leaves her family village or compound to come and live with the man’s family in his village or compound. Woman can marry only one man at a time and if she passes away the woman’s family can offer you another sister or cousin to keep the family link. Men can marry more than one woman but they have to get the permission of the first and existing wives and keep any new wife in the same compound or house but in a different room. There is no hiding her away like a secret to be ashamed of and the family must try to work together for the benefit of all. If that is not possible then that is where a divorce or split may come in. After the man still has to support the children.

Belief in Jesus is destroying the Bena Kongo structure. Reasons for divorce not only include adultery as in the Bible. If there is no comprehension or communication between the couple they can try to get friends and family to help resolve the situation. “Marriage is not a prison! ..If you are OK with her just stay if you are not OK if it is not working you have to divorce because if you not OK then one can die.”

“Culture depends on people” The Nabi pointed out that you can learn from other cultures and adopt practices and ideas if they are good for Bena Kongo society but there is no wholesale conversion to adopting another person’s culture or religion – “It is not a dictator, but it’s your heart. When you want to follow your ancestors way it is up to you, it’s not dictator, nobody forcing you…If they’re forcing you to dance that dance can’t be good“

There are 12 Books in the Makongo, which is in two sections. The first section consists of five Books: Kinsemi which tells of how God created the earth and the people; Makaba which tells of the need to share; Mpova which is the speeches of the main ancestors down the ages; Maniema tells of the European invasion and oppression and Bangunza tells of the works of the prophets. The other seven Books which tell of the future will come in the second installment after more people have learned about the Bena Kongo and how to manage the information so that it is not misused for negative purposes.

The life and miracles of Simon Kimbangu are told in the Makongo. Simon Kimbangu was jailed by the Belgians from 1921 until his passing in 1954 for promoting Afrikan redemption. A mausoleum containing his body is on permanent show in his home town, Nkamba. The day of his passing (Oct 10) is marked by the Bena Kongo worldwide. More info on Simon Kimbangu can be found in a Belgian French book ‘The Greatest Prophet the World Never Knew’.

Mbu wa kalunga = Kalunga is a river in the Bukongo lands. Due to the content of this water it is claimed to have healing properties to cure illnesses. Mbu wa kalunga is a sea like the Atlantic Ocean.

Mpemba Kalunga = perfect light. When you die in your current body your spiritual body goes to Mpemba Kalunga, a place where everything is perfect. When you cross the spiritual water you forget everything about the earth or if you are coming to earth you forget everything from there.

Nabi Lukombo can be contacted on: 07947 175 192 or e-mail: bdklondon2002@yahoo.co.uk