Of the many things that were instilled within me during my years in Rites of Passage, one

of the most important was the understanding of sound character. Webster defines
character as, "moral excellence and firmness". In Western society many have
COMPLETELY taken leave of their senses, and not only do they no longer show honor
and respect to the elders, in their quest to acquire material things the intrinsic value of
integrity has been all but forgotten.

In Rites, we were taught in the forming of the Unity Circle the order and value of the
resources of our people. In the very center of the circle were the babies, the "watoto".
Children are our blessing, and they come to bring infinite possibility to our futures. In the
Yoruba tradition, it is believed that they are our ancestors returned to bestow blessing
upon us, but also to teach us. Outside of them were our elders. These individuals have
lived, loved, lost, fought, bled and sacrificed so that we could be here. Our elders stand
to fortify us with the strength of their age, experience, and wisdom. Outside of them, and
lastly were the adults and the young adults. We represented the power and the strength of
our community. Ours are the strong backs and hands to work with and for our elders and
our babies. We are the ones that will carry on the wisdom of our elder's experience and
hopefully add some of our own.

The "Sifa" has always been near and dear to my heart because it speaks directly to what
guiding principles in our relationships to our world and our human family are most
important. We MUST honor our dead, those who lived, loved, and struggled for us. We
MUST continue their work, sacrifice, and dedication, for if we fail, not only do we
invalidate our own lives to meaningless waste, the lives of our ancestors and elders allike
become a legacy of struggle in vain. Lastly, we MUST realign ourselves with what is
most important. Our principles and our character are the fabric of who we are as a
people, who are children will become, a what kind of world they will inherit. The Sifa is
a glowing reminder of what is most important and how we can continue to grow and
evolve in a legacy of greatness.

Sifa

(Praise)
May we always remember those who have gone before us.

May we be inspired by their vision and valor.

May their lives continuously remind us:

that people are more important than possessions;

that principle is more important than power;

and that service is more important than success.

May whatever we do be shaped and molded by honesty, competence, and commitment.

May our children and our children's children carry forth with pride the nobility of our
history and traditions.

To the Creator of us all, we dedicate our lives to make this world better and more
beautiful for the generations to come.

Ase'