Libation Prayer

By

Nana (King) Kwabena Faheem Ashanti, Ph.D.

Onyankopon Twediampon, nsa, ! Asaase Yaa, nsa, !

( God, the dependable, drink ( sio ) Earth Goddess, drink ( sio )

Tena ne Brietufoo nsamanfoo, nsa o, !

( Spirits of Tena and Brietuo clans, drinks alas, ( sio )

Okwawu Mamong Agyei, nsa o, !

( Mampong Agyei of Kwahu, drinks ( sio )

Awonso Abena begye nsa nom, ! Gye nsa nom, Opeafo,! Awonso Abena,

come and receive drinks Receive drinks, spiritual elders (sio)

Enye bone, Nana Martin Luther King, nsa o, ! Nana Malcolm X, nsa, ! Nana Harriet Tubman, nsa o, !

( It's not bad news, Grands King, Malcolm X, Tubman, drink ( yoo )

Obarima na yebo no din ! Woye biribi na anye yie a ! Wowu a yemmo wo din (

It's the person of valor on whom one calls, if you do not lead a worthy life, your name is not invoked in death. ( ampa - it's true )

Elijah Muhammad, nsa o, ! Yaa Asantewaa, nsa o, !

Osaman fofforo na ogye adee ! Koma osaman dada !

( It's the newly departed spirit that takes messages to those gone before )

Enne yi woawu ! Na sebe wode abusua agya ho !

( Today, you have died and, my apologies, left the family behind ( yes )

Enne nso, abusua abehyia wie

( Today, the family has assembled , yes.)

Woabegye nsa yi ! Ye besre nkwa ! Asre nkwahosan !

( As you receive drinks, we seek life and prosperity, we seek long life )

Na yeasre nyinkyere !

( and the statecraft of the female bird )

Ne anomaa bedee amanyo ! Adwumayie, abusuado !

( Business prosperity, (yes ) ( love within the family ( yes )

Onyankopon Twediampon Asaase Yaa

( God the dependable Earth Goddess )

Odaa bayifoo Anaa barima Abonsam

( The Witch (evil) that seeks to sit beside

A ose merekotena Kwabena, Kwasi, Muliro ho

Kwabena, Kwasi, Moliro, and frustrate him

Na mayi no hinohino ! Adedie yi a orebedie yi !

wishing he fail in his reign, then you know s/he is a devil ( yes )

Kampese wanhunu di ! Na wonim se onipa busufoo ne no

(Yet no one pronounces blessings on the devil ( That's right )

Nsa obi nkohyirahyria ne busufoo Obusufoo dee yenyi nko akyiri

(Drive the evil one far beyond )

Yen a yeahyia mu ha nyinaa

( To our health, those here assembled )

Yen bosom ne yen nkwa so !

( To the health of our Gods and our souls ( yes )

( Mo ne Kasa )

Well spoken