"The endless challenges faced daily in this culture could be traced back to a disturbing relationship with ancestors.  Therefore, we will engage our ancestors in an attempt to clear the unfinished business that together we must do.  We we learn of their wishes and share ours with them.  Together with them we will ritualize our mutual concerns in an initiative that heals our world and theirs."  ~Malidoma Patrice Somé~

     Virtually every ritual work and ceremonial event Malidoma has conducted began and ended with the ancestors.  This is because nothing in the ritual tradition of Dagara people can happen without involving the dead.  From simple ritual practices such as sprinkling ashes to focus one's intention, and pouring water to invoke peace, to the several-week-long initiations, the names of the dead are invoked, implored and/or simply called on.

     In this workshop, participants will journey through Dagara wisdom, remembering that we are, each of us, going somewhere purposeful in life.  Through the healing interaction of ritual we will open ourselves to the desires and insistence of the ancestors.  Participants will learn the practice of "calling in the ancestors", and experience a deepening of that connectedness with the spirit world.  Such practice is appropriate for anyone who, for whatever reason, and in whatever way, calls upon spirit for intervention in their lives.