Bon

Introduction
Bon is the traditional religion of Tibet or it was created in 1000's.  There may have been different stages in this religion.  It has similarities and differences to Tibetan Buddhism.  This religion has its own beliefs, scriptures, rituals, and symbols.  There are household deities and other deities.  The priests of this religion are called shen and bonpos. 

History
The first stage of Bon is called Black Bon, because it was used to protect people from malevolent spirits.  Shenrab Miwoche founded the second stage of Bon.  He became enlightened like Buddha.  He taught people about sky deities.  The last stage of Bon was influenced by Tibetan Buddhism.  Bon my be over 20,000 years old!!!!!!!! 

Some scholars argue that it was created during the time Tibetan Buddhism became popular again.  This was sum time in the 11th century.  A lot of its scriptures are Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.  Both religions have a lot in common.     

Bon vs Tibetan Buddhism
Karma isn't so important in Bon.  Spirits play a bigger role in happenings of our lives.  Goddesses are more powerful in Bon than TB.  Clans are important in Bon not TB.  TB has less marriage rituals than Bon.

Beliefs
There are many spirits in this religion.  Sum or all these spirits became protectors in Tibetan Buddhism.  Mountain spirits are important in Bon.  The leader of clans were chosen by them.   Enlightenment in Bon it is pure awareness.  That is the main goal.     

Scriptures
Sutras: These text dealt with a lot of subject matter.  It deals with deities, Buddhas, and teachers.  It even talks about the goddess of loving-kindness and much more.

Tantras: There are 4 tantras.  There are 2 types: high and low.  The low tantras help people become like the deities.  There is the symbolic being, knowledge being, and action being.  The symbolic being is visualization or mantra of deities.  The knowledge being understand the positive qualities of deities.  Action being is a combination of the first two.  It is very compassionate and free negative emotions.  The higher teaching deals with bliss and emptiness. 

Dzogchen:  This teaches us to be open and present. 

Rituals
Bonpos say mantras, make yantras, and form mudras.  They turn prayerwheels counterclockwise.  They give offerings of water to spirits.  The rituals are very shamanistic.  They have a death ritual.  They have ceremonies that help spirits of the deceased cross over.     

Symbols
Namchu Wangden: It represents Kalachakra. 

Swastika: It represents 4 directions and center, Buddha-nature, etc.

8 Auspicious Symbols: They cause good luck.

Glorious Endless Knot: Interdependence of all things. 

Vase: Virtues and wealth.

They are many other symbols, but this will suffice.

Spirits
Nan: Tree spirits

Sadag: Earth spirits

Tsan: Sky spirits

Klu: Water spirits

Yum Chen Sherab Chamma:  Goddess of love and compassion.

Sidpa Gyalmo:  "Queen of the universe."  Great protector goddess.

Kuntu Zangpo: God of enlightenment.  

Khyung Mar: Great protector god that heals and blesses.  

Conclusion
This is a great religion!!!  I like its wrathful deities and its rituals.  It has sweet symbols and scriptures.  It has a lot in common with Tibetan Buddhism.  It may be over 10,000 years old !!!!!!!


References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bon
https://ravencypresswood.com/category/yungdrung-bon-sacred-symbols/
https://www.himalayanart.org/pages/index_bon_deities.cfm
http://kalpa-bon.com/index.php/rituals
https://www.olmoling.org/contents/bon_bonpo
https://earlytibet.com/2009/08/24/buddhism-and-bon-iv/
http://occult-world.com/spirits/bon-spirits/
http://yeruboncenter.org/enlightened-deities/

Bonoman

Introduction
In this post you will learn about the origin and structure of Bonoman.  There were several significant towns that were trading centers.  Bonoman was created by the ancestors of the Abrong tribe, as well as Gyaaman.  Various Akan left the kingdom @ different times and became different tribes.  The Ashanti conquered Bonoman in the 1800's.

Origin
Akan people lived in the Ghana Empire.  They moved south because they didn't want to convert to Islam.  They wanted to practice their own traditional religion.  By moving south they were able to continue their own traditions. 

Trading Towns
Bono Manso:  Goods from Djenne were traded there a lot.  Leather, gold, salt, and kola nuts were sold there. 

Begho: Goods from the Mali Empire was traded in this town.  They traded the same items as the previous city.  Also, copper alloy and cloth.  Pottery was made there and iron smelting.  It was one of the biggest towns in West Africa. 

Bondukru:  This town ''gave birth'' to Gyaman.

The towns were rural 4 centuries than they urbanized.  Once that happened they engaged in international trade.     

Abrong
They are the descendants of the people that created Bonoman.  They live in Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Cote D' Ivoire.  They speak a Niger-Congo language and they are an Akan tribe.  There are over 1 million Abrong people.

Bonoman (B) had a big impact on Akan culture.  The umbrella used by Akan king come from B.  The golden stole and royal swords come from B.  Kente cloth, goldweighting, black and goldsmithing, and weaving come from B.   

Gyaaman     
This kingdom lasted for 445 years.  It was created by the Abron tribe.  They ruled over other ethnic groups that lived near by.  Gyamanhene was the title of king.  The kings lived in the Amanvi.  Gyamanhene was largely ceremonial.  There were 4 governors that held more power than the king.  Gyaaman was conquered by the Ashanti.  Then it became free after the British defeated the Ashanti.  After that an agreement was signed with France and it became a part of French West Africa. 

Akan Tribes from Bonoman
Akwamu: They may have been the leaders of the Akan long ago.  They are similar to the Ashanti.  The empire lasted for 130 years.  The king is called Akwamuhene.  High John the Conquer is based on the Akwamu king that led a revolt in St. Thomas. 

Ashanti: There were several Akan kingdoms that paid tribute to Denkyira.  Those kingdoms came together and became the Ashanti (warriors).  The different chiefs were trying to figure out who should be a paramount chief.  A golden stool came out of the sky and chief it landed on became paramount chief.  A magician stuck a sword in the ground that no one can pull out.  They have similar traditions to the Hebrews.  That because the Hebrews originally were African and/or greatly influenced by them.  The Ashanti love gold and wear a lot jewelry.  I had a Ashanti friend in college.  He was a great football player. 

Denkyira: They created a kingdom that lasted for 201 years. They dominated trade in Ghana.  The king is known as Denkyirahene.  The last king died in 12/1/2016.               

Other Akan tribes came from Bonoman, but this will suffice. 

Fall of Bonoman
In the late 1800's The Ashanti incorporated Bonoman into its empire.  Prior to that B had political and economic problems.  Bonoman lasted for 400 years give or take.  It started around 1350 and lasted till about 1750. 

Conclusion
Bonoman was great kingdom that had a positive influence on Akan people.  It had amazing trading towns and held on to the ways of their ancestors.  The Abron are the children of the people that created Bonoman.  It ''gave birth'' to Gyaaman and it's the homeland of the Akan.  I give this kingdom a B.

References
https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Bono_state
https://www.revolvy.com/page/Bono-state
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gyaaman
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akwamu
https://www.africancraftsmarket.com/african-tribes/ashanti-people.html
https://www.britannica.com/place/Denkyera
The Real High John