Destiny Bound

Wellness Institute

Okomfo Ama Nyamekye Giddens

Ama Nyamekye Giddens, MA, CHHC

Ama Nyamekye Giddens is a trained African Priest (Okomfo) in the Akan Akom Tradition of Ghana, West Africa, a Certified Holistic Health Consultant (CHHC), and an Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist (ADS). She has more than 10 years of study, training and research with traditional healers in Ghana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, Niger, and Nicaragua. She holds a Master’s degree in Africana Women’s Studies from Clark Atlanta University. Her thesis is focused on Xhosa women’s self-identity.

She is currently working on a 2nd Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Bowie State University. Ama has worked with organizations nationally and internationally including The Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (ZINATHA), Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre, and the African Union.

Through the Destiny Bound Wellness Institute, Ama and her team offer workshops, lectures, and program development in the areas of Rites of Passage program development, wellness workshops, and research and training in Traditional African Spirituality and cultural practices. The institute is a holistic human service network company which provides education and cultural enrichment services to individuals, families, communities and organizations.

She currently serves as a Career Coach, and international development consultant for non-profits and social service agencies. Ama is published in the SAGE Encyclopedia of African Cultural Heritage in North America with an article on rites of passage.

For more information on her work, research and consultancy, please contact her at ama@destinyboundwellness.com.

Previous Lectures

Wed, May 17, 2017  : 7pm – 9pm

Thurgood Marshall Center
1816 12th St NW
Washington DC 20009

“Return of the Great Mother – Restoring Spiritual tools and Strategies for African Health and Healing”

Presentation Description

This presentation will focus on the role that African spirituality plays in creating and maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit for African people. It will highlight Western and Southern African influences in understanding the link between spirituality and mental and physical health for African people. Traditional indigenous African holistic practices such as divination, rites of passage, rituals, mind body science, and nutrition will be described and highlighted to explain strategies to help Africans in America navigate and heal from the systemic impact of the Maafa (Slavery).

destiny

BIBLIOGRAPHY ON AFRICAN SPIRITUALITY

AFRICAN SPIRITUALITY AND CULTURE (GENERAL)

  1. Black Labor, White Wealth: The Search for Power and Economic Justice by Claud Anderson
  2. Dogon Man & The Cosmos DVD – Charles S. Finch III
  3. Echoes Of The Old Dark Land: Themes from the African Eden – Charles S. Finch III
  4. PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America by Dr. Claud Anderson
  5. SBA: Reawaken the African Mind by Asa G. Hilliard, III
  6. Selections from the Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt by Maulana Karenga
  7. Star Of Deep Beginnings: Genesis of African Science & Technology by Charles S. Finch III
  8. Temples of the African Gods by Michael Tellinger and Johan Heine
  9. The Cultural Unity of Black Africa by Cheikh Anta Diop
  10. The Mis-Education of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson
  11. The Pyramid Texts
  12. The Role of African Spirituality in the Development of the Black Family & It’s Economic Empowerment
  13. The Teaching of PathHotep: The Oldest Book in the World by Asa G. 6.Hilliard, III and Larry Williams
  14. The Wheel of Heaven DVD – Charles S. Finch III
  15. When We Ruled by Robin Walker

 

AKAN – GHANA

  1. African Spirituality: On Becoming Ancestors by Anthony Ephirim-Donkor
  2. Akom, the Layered World By Nana Oparebea Bekoe (author locally based)
  3. The Akan Doctrine of God by J.B Danquah Available
  4. The History of Ashanti Kings and the Whole Country Itself (original handwritten manuscript describing the creation story with respect to Akan matrilineal ancestors) By Otumfo, Nana Agyeman Prempeh I
  5. The Little Adinkra Dictionary By W. Bruce Willis (author locally based)
  6. The Quest for Spiritual Transformation By Nana Akua Kyerewaa Opokuwaa
  7. West African Traditional Religion by Kofi Asaee Opoku

 

BAKONGO –CONGO & ANGOLA

  1. Kongo Cosmology, Kumina: A Kongo-based Tradition in the New World by Dr. K. Bunseki Fu-Kiau
  2. Kindezi: The Kongo Art of Babysitting by Dr. K. Bunseki Fu-Kiau
  3. Self-Healing Power And Therapy: Old Teachings from Africa by Kimbwandende Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau Introduction by Marimba Ani

KAMETIC –KEMET/EGYPT/NILE VALLEY

  1. Amen, Ra Un Nefer. (2008) Nuk Au Neter – I Am A Divine Being: The Kamitic Holy Scriptures
  2. Amen, Ra Un Nefer. (2010) Metu Neter, Vol. 4: The Initiate’s Daily Meditation Guide
  3. Amen, Ra Un Nefer. (2011) Metu Neter, Vol. 5: Keys to Health & Longevity
  4. Amen, Ra Un Nefer. (2015) Metu Neter, Vol. 7: The Utchau Metu
  5. Amen, Ra Un Nefer. (2017) Maat, The 11 Laws of God
  6. Amen, Rkhty. (2012). A Life Centered Life Living Maat.
  7. Faulkner, Raymond O. (1969). The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts
  8. Goelet, O., Faulkner, R. (2015). The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Book of Going Forth by Day (20th Revised ed.)
  9. Karenga, Maulana. (2006). Maat: The Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt.
  10. Kilimanjaro, Ife., Kilimanjaro, Tdka., Aaneb, Yahra., Heru, T’Gamba. (2014). Maat: Guiding Principles of Moral Living.
  11. Lichtheim, Miriam. (2006) Ancient Egyptian Literature Vol. 1: The Old and Middle Kingdoms.
  12. Lichtheim, Miriam. (2006) Ancient Egyptian Literature Vol. 2. The New Kingdom
  13. Lichtheim, Miriam. (2006). Ancient Egyptian Literature Vol. 3. The Late Period
  14. Obenga, Theophile. (2004). African Philosophy: The Pharaonic Period: 2780 – 330 BC.
  15. Obenga, Theophile. (1996). Ancient Egypt and Black Africa
  16. Shafer, Byron. (1991). Religion in Ancient Egypt: Gods, Myths, and Personal Practice.

SANGOMA – SOUTHERN AFRICA

  1. Called to Heal: African Shamanic Healers by Susan Schuster Campbell (Author)
  2. Sangoma: My Odyssey into the Spirit World of Africa by James Hall (a white Sangoma)
  3. Zulu Shaman by Crewdo Mutwa

VODOU – HAITI

  1. Africa’s Ogun by Sandra T. Barnes
  2. African Spirituality: Forms, Meanings and Expressions (World Spirituality) by Jacob K. Olupona
  3. Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti, Maya Deren
  4. Healing in the Homeland: Haitian Vodou Tradition by Margaret Mitchell Armand
  5. Sacred Arts of Haitian Vodou by Donald J. Consentino
  6. Voodoo: Search for the Spirit by Laennec Hurbon

YORUBA – NIGERIA

  1. Black Gods: Orisa Studies in the New World by Gary Edwards and John Mason
  2. Four New World Yoruba Rituals by John Mason
  3. Fundamentals of the Yoruba Religion: Orisa Worship by Chief FAMA
  4. Ifá Will Mend Our Broken World: Thoughts on Yoruba Religion and Culture in Africa and the Diaspora by Dr. Wande Abimbola
  5. Ifism: The Complete Works of Orunumila by C. Osmanolbie and C. Osamaro Ible
  6. Imoye: A Definition of the Ifa Tradition by Baba Karade
  7. Milestones and Social Systems in Yoruba History and Culture by I.A. Akinjogbin
  8. Musical Arts in Africa: Theory, Practice and Education by Anri Herbst,  Meki Nzewi Kofi Agawu
  9. Odu Ifa by Maulana Karenga
  10. Olodumare: God in Yoruba Belief by Bolasi E. Idowu
  11. Olookun: Owner of Rivers & Seas by John Mason
  12. Opening to Spirit: Contacting the Healing Power of the Chakras and Honoring African Spirituality
  13. Oya: In Praise of the Goddess by Judith Gleason
  14. Sixteen Cowries by William Bascom
  15. Tales of Yoruba Gods & Heroes by Harold Courlander
  16. The Cult of Sango by H.L. Ayobunmi Sosi Sangode
  17. The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts by Baba Ifa Karade
  18. The Handbook of Yoruba Religious Concepts, Baba Ifa Karade (Author)
  19. The History of the Yorubas by Rev. Samuel Johnson Pastor of Oyo
  20. The Imprisonment of Obtala by Obotunde Ijimere
  21. Words and Meaning in Yoruba Religion: Linguistic Connections in Yoruba, Ancient Egyptian and Semitic by Modupe Oduyoye

get in touch!

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Subject

    Your Message

    [recaptcha]