Akɔm: "Communicating with the gods" 

Akɔm [ah-COMB] is an integral part of traditional cultural expression among the Akan [ah-KAHN] of Ghana.

"Akɔm is a ceremony in which shrine workers and community members come together to allow the Abosom and nananom nsamanfoɔ to fill a void and bring messages, blessings, and overall guidance to the community. During Akɔm, we sing songs and play specific rhythms and dance to call the abosom and nananom to us."

Therefore, Akɔm provides a safe space where one's continuous connection with the spiritual realm is brought to the forefront, from the subconscious to the conscious. 

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A Bembé is a party for the Orisas. During a bembé the Orisas are praised, saluted and entreated to join the party through `mounting' one of the priests or priestesses in attendance. This is done through a confluence of the song, rhythm, and movement, all calling to the Orisas in such a way that the Orisas will recognize themselves in the lyrics, rhythms and dances as they have been performed for them for perhaps thousands of years.

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The rhythms play an important part of the equation and the drummers practice assiduously for years to be able to play the intricate rhythms correctly. This is important since the drums are actually speaking to the Orisas as the Yoruba language is a tonal one and the drums are tuned in such a way as to play the tones of Yoruba speech. For this reason some rhythms are never played unless it is in religious context as it would offend the Orisa. These rhythms are actually prayers to the deities with each Orisa having its own rhythms associated with them.

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                                                                                     Sunday August 18, 2019

                                                                                     Akom, Bembe’ - African Traditional Cultural Healing Rituals

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