In pre-Mohammedan Islam, Ali-at and Al-Uzzah were first installed and worshiped in
the Ka’aba (‘originally Temple of the Moon-goddess’). They were historically symbolized
by the holy black, granite stone. In Africa and throughout her ancient colonies
where she was worshiped from Greece, Palestine, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Southern
Iran and Iraq etc., all the major Mami deities in their feminine form were originally
worshiped as black stones. These sacred stones were reputed to have “fallen from
the heavens.” They are described as square black meteorites, or granites to the
much sought after “perssinuncian stones” (thunderstones).
By: Mama Zogbe Chief-Hounon Amengansie February 2010
© 2010 Mama Zogbé. All Rights Reserved
Sacred Ekpe (stone) Ceremony: Togo, West Africa
In Togo, West Africa this ancient ceremony is still in practice during their annual ancestral celebrations (see video). As during ancient times, a group of male priests of the Thunder deity, “Heviosso” are sent into the sacred Bé forest to capture the sacred Epe-Ekpe (stone) that has “fallen from the heavens.” The crowd become electrified, anxious to veiw the holy obejct. Depending on its color, it can forecast either good (white) or (black) misfortune for the community. Although the male devotees are the ones to retrieve the stone, it is the queen mother who must view the stone and whose cheers alerts the village that its portents are good or bad.
