By Althea A. Fung
The auditorium of Medgar Evers College was half filled with young and old African Americans waiting for the opening ceremony of the 10th Annual Black Writers Conference on March 22 to begin.
Some members of the audience grew anxious waiting for the program to begin while others took the time to chat with friends or people that sat near to them. The conversations grew louder as the time for the program to begin passed. But all conversations stopped when a woman let out a loud yelp. The audience turned around to see an older woman with two men surrounding her near the entrance to the auditorium.
Two men in African garb began to play djembe drums. The woman yelped again. The group walked slowly down the aisle stopping every few steps to sing out to the crowd.
Finally the woman wearing a brilliant yellow African caftan – Camille Yarbrough, author of Cornrows and singer featured in the Fatboy Slim song “Praise You” – made it to the stage.
A few applauded when Yarbrough reached the podium but the room was mostly silent, waiting for her to speak.
“Let it be heard by all that hear we come to pray. Let it be seen by all that come to see we come here to pray. Ancient seeds of royal line let us this night our spirit good night, to pray for spirit that heals our wounds that lifts our souls that makes us whole,” she said. “This is a libation story. It’s an African tradition that came across the ocean in the spirit of our people.”
Libation is a traditional African prayer. Unlike western form of prayer with eyes shut, libations are done with eyes open to see the offerings God brings. Libations are traditionally performed at weddings, births and at harvest time.
With a tiny bottle of water in one hand and a Styrofoam cup filled with soil in another, Yarbrough called on the ancestors of writers to help with the libation prayer.
“This is a libation story about our peoples spirit. When we’re quiet we can hear it, we can feel it in our fingers when we write our words, when we touch our keys. This is a libation story of trouble and glory. Our spirit never dies it only changes and rearranges. It’s going to live forever,” Yarbrough said.
All the people of the world tell their family story. It is natural for humans to do, said Yarbrough. They tell the story of their ancestors – the great battles they fought, the great victories they won – so their children can understand who they are.
It is up to the writers in attendance to keep up the tradition of storytelling alive, as well as thank those that made the tradition possible, Yarbrough implored.
A group of older people in the crowd began to nod their heads in agreement.
“You writers of the word, you followers of the word, I’m going to call out some names right now. After I say the names I want you to say a simple thank you.”
As she poured the water into the cup symbolizing the growth of culture and the earth, she yelled out, “ Phyllis Wheatley!”
“Thank you,” the audience sang.
“Richard Wright!”
“Thank you!”
“Octavia Butler!”
“Thank You!”
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