Kofi Piesie 2019

In traditional African societies, as well as embedded within the value systems in contemporary African communities worldwide, to live to an old age was and is considered a blessing. Eldership is, however, more than mere aging. The difference is important to understand. Being an elder is fundamentally different from just being old. In regard to African religion, the purpose and practice of eldership is found in the spiritual meaning of eldership.

To become an elder one must pass through all rites of passage from birth to old age. 

Rites of Passages or Stages of Life 

·     Birth Rite 

·     Adulthood Rite 

·     Circumcision Rite 

·     Marriage Rite 

·     Elder or Eldership Rite 

·     Ancestor/Death Rite

What is an Elder?

Elders are the guardians of the culture, traditions, and history of the people. Integrity, generosity, wisdom, articulateness, subtlety, patience, tactfulness, gratefulness, and being listened to and respected by others are all qualities of an Elder. Understandably, with Eldership, one’s status and value in the community rises.

WHAT IS THE ROLES OF AN ELDER?

The primary work of the Elder is to advise, guide, and oversee the living in community, their fundamental value and purpose lies in teaching the young what it means to be human. The Elder knows the traditions, history, values, beliefs and cultural laws that are inviolate. Accordingly, the experience and wisdom of the Elder is readily sought and freely shared with others. Elders are charged with the task of understanding both the material and spiritual requisites of life. It is thought to be an honor to even be in the presence of an Elder. They serve as a link between the past and the present while guaranteeing that our way of life is extended into the future.

LETS FUTHER GO INTO THE ROLES OF AN ELDER ACCORDING TO AFRICAN COMMUNITIES

Roles of Elders in African Communities 

(i) They fix dates for community rituals and ceremonies.

(ii) They advise the members of the community on what steps to take during times of difficulties.

(iii) They make major decisions affecting families and the community.

(iv) They settle disputes in the community.

(v) They give instructions and guidelines on various issues.

(vi) They teach the youth on their responsibilities and the general customs of the community.

(vii) They negotiate for peace with other 
(viii) Occasionally they preside over worship practices.

(ix) They are the custodians of traditions and customs of the community.

(x) They preside over the distribution of property

(xi) Preside over religious ceremonies 
(xii) Judging cases 
(xiii) Punishing/ fining the offenders

(xiv) Praying for the community 
(xv) Overseeing the sharing of community wealth/ property etc.
(xvi) Mediating between God and people/ ancestors/ spirits
(xvii) Advises and guides the community
(xviii) Formulating laws governing the community/ ensuring laws are kept
(xix) Facilitating reconciliation

As Elders, both men and women devote themselves to the higher responsibility of utilizing the collective to guide and direct the permanent ascension of the community and to channel its vital life force (spirit). The utilization and understanding of the natural spiritual power of the community is, in fact, perceived as the “wisdom of Eldership”. This is an all-consuming task. To do this, Elders are generally not involved in the survival struggles of life. They devote themselves to the full-time pursuit of wisdom—the understanding and application of high values and traditions of the community and the spiritual meaning of being human. In effect, the Elders “work” was and is to synthesize wisdom from long life experiences, to connect the visible (material) and invisible (spiritual) realms, and to formulate all into a legacy of the good life for future generations.

As noted in Asar Imhotep (2013), King is most often associated with “eldership” as he represents the senior elder in the country. He also represents the primordial ancestor who gave birth to the kingdom/community and the royal line i.e. he is in fact the reincarnation of the first king(elder) who led the country. 

As the king is an “elder” himself, the “king” should also be associated with age, time, and oldness. “In indigenous African societies, the elders govern the community. We see this notion reflected in ciLuba-Bantu (a bere language of N-E) in the word mukulu “older, old ancient, grandmother”, “head, chief, director, president", "principle women in a polygamous relationship.” In the Yoruba language, the word Oba means king and comes from the same root as iba “father”.

Threw Asar Imhotep many linguistic example in his book Nsw.t Bjt.j(King) in Ancient Egyptians: A lesson in Paronymy and Leadership this reaffirms our notion that the word for king is simply one for “father; elder.”

My conclusion:

Elders are very important in African culture and well respected and revered. To become an elder there is level to it and that is the different stages, initiations, teaching to develop a man or women of old age into eldership. Now there is elders and there is olders so lets not get this confuse, a person of old age that does not set the right example and does immoral and wicked things is not an elder but an older who is not respected and that will die one day and not reach the last stage of those rites of passages which is ancestorship. A ancestor is a decease elder, one whom is respected and honored, and an older is just a decease person and one whom name will never be called. 

Sources: 

Nsw.t Bjt.j (King) in Ancient Egyptian: A Lesson in Paronymy and Leadership by Asar Imhotep

Encyclopedia Of African Religion  by Molefi Kete Asante and Ama Mazama 

https://www.jstor.org/stable/1159423?read-now=1&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

http://africanholocaust.net/ritesofpassage/