tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post5054024210945662292..comments2024-03-28T07:58:41.643-04:00Comments on pancocojams: Spiritual Symbolism Of Vultures In Traditional Yoruba & Edo ReligionsAzizi Powellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post-51572900925997066072016-03-17T09:47:37.896-04:002016-03-17T09:47:37.896-04:00I posted a comment in Part III of this series (on ...I posted a comment in Part III of this series (on Egypt) about oral traditions that indicate that the Yoruba people migrated to Nigeria (and the Akan people migrated to Ghana/Ivory Coast) from Nubia-Egypt. Here's one portion of that comment:<br />From <a href="http://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/137358-who-are-the-yoruba-people-part-3-by-femi-fani-kayode.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.premiumtimesng.com/opinion/137358-who-are-the-yoruba-people-part-3-by-femi-fani-kayode.html</a><br />"According to Olumide J. Lucas, “the Yoruba, during antiquity, lived in ancient Egypt before migrating to the Atlantic coast”.<br />He uses as demonstration the similarity or identity of languages, religious beliefs, customs and names of persons, places and things. In addition, many ancient papyri discovered by archaeologists point at an Egyptian origin” (Tariqh Sawandi: ”Yorubic medicine: The Art of divine herbology)."Azizi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5893219718076521675.post-61040198512013151372016-03-16T21:44:25.175-04:002016-03-16T21:44:25.175-04:00I think that "palm nut vultures" are pro...I think that "palm nut vultures" are probably the type of vultures that are referred to these quotes about traditional Yoruba religion and traditional Edo religion. Here's some information about palm nut vultures:<br />From <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm-nut_vulture" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm-nut_vulture</a><br />"The palm-nut vulture (Gypohierax angolensis) or vulturine fish eagle, is a large bird of prey in the family Accipitridae (family which also includes many other diurnal raptors such as kites, buzzards and harriers, vultures, and eagles). It is the only member of the genus Gypohierax. Unusual for birds of prey, it feeds mainly on the fruit of the oil palm, though it also feeds on crabs, molluscs, locusts, fish and has been known to occasionally attack domestic poultry.<br /><br />This bird is an Old World vulture (only distantly related to the New World vultures, which are in a separate family, Cathartidae).<br /><br />It breeds in forest and savannah across sub-Saharan Africa, usually near water, its range coinciding with that of the oil palm. It is quite approachable, like many African vultures, and can be seen near habitation, even on large hotel lawns in the tourist areas of countries like the Gambia...<br /><br />This is an unmistakable bird as an adult. At 1.3–1.7 kg (2.9–3.7 lb), 60 cm (24 in) long and 150 cm (59 in) across the wings, this is the smallest Old World vulture.[2][3] Its plumage is all white except for black areas in its wings. It has a red patch around the eye. The immature, which takes 3–4 years to mature, is brown with a yellow eye patch."<br />-snip-<br />Palm nuts (kola nuts) are sacred in the Yoruba religion.* I think that fact and the colors of those vultures influenced how they were considered in that religion and in West African traditional religions. It's interesting that vultures that are the color white are also referred to in traditional Akan religion and in traditional Egyptian mythology. White is a sacred color in each of those African cultures.<br /><br />* Here's a quote about kola nuts in Yoruba culture:<br />Roots of Haiti's Vodou-Christian Faith: African and Catholic "Origins: African and Catholic Origins" by R. Murray Thomas<br /><br />ABC-CLIO, Jun 19, 2014 - Religion <br /><br />https://books.google.com/books?isbn=1440832048<br />p. 170<br />"The kola (cola palm) nut is one of the most revered cultural symbols in West Africa, particularly in Nigeria, where the kola tree has been considered the earth’s first tree and the emblem of life. The tree produces embryonic leaves that botanist call cotyledons in the form of seeds. The nuts are a form of caffeine chewed for their flavor and mild narcotic effect. Spiritual meanings have been attributed to the number of seeds a kola nut contains. According to one interpretation, a kola containing a single seed is regarded as belonging to a sacred spirit, and thus is forbidden to mortals, so people do not chew it. A kola with three seeds signifies bravery and is reserved for mighty warriors and consecrated members of the community. The most typical kola has four cotyledons that represent peace and blessing. “Kola with six cotyledons (seed leaves) indicates communion with the ancestors…the smallest part or cotyledon is not eaten but is thrown away for the ancestors to eat...[Among the] Igbo, kola is accompanied by wine or drink because the Igbos say that “One who gives a deity kola has to give him water with which to help him swallow it.” Ukaegbu, 2003 Azizi Powellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14963772326145910073noreply@blogger.com