Adal Sultanate

Introduction
Adal Sultanate was in Somalia.  It was a multi-ethnic society.  The kingdom started in the 13th and lasted until 1559.  That's over 300 years!!!!!  It was an empire composed of 7 states.  It was ruled by the Walashma dynasty.  The kingdom was composed of 4 types of people.  They are as follows: Somali, Afar, Harari, and Arab.  The people spoke Arabic and Somali.  Adal had a strong economy and military.  It was always @ war with Abyssinia.

History
In the beginning, Adal wasn't Islamic.  It followed an African Traditional Religion. Centuries later it became Islamic.  The 7 states that made up Adal Sultanate were Ifaad, Dawaaro, Araabiini, Hadaya, Sharqa, Baali, and Daara.  They all had their own government & military.  Ifaad was the strongest state and led the empire. The capital of Ifaad was Zeyla.  It was known as the City of Light.  There were many Mosques there. These Mosques housed a lot of books.  They were great places of learning.  Many different subjects were taught in them.
                
Walashma Dynasty
13 Sultans from this dynasty ruled Adal.  They ruled 4 several decades.  These sultans originated in Yemen. Some of the sultans fought Abysinnia.  Others were assassinated.  The last sultan was killed defending Adal from Abysinnia.  Some sultans moved the capital of Adal.  This dynasty was Islamic.

Tribes of Adal
Somali: Their ancestor is Irir Soamaal that's why they are called Somali.  There are 5 major clans.  They are as follows: Darod, Dir, Hawiye, Isaaq, and Rahanweyn. They make up 85% of the population of Somalia. They speak their own language and Arabic.   Most of them are Sunni Muslims.

Afar: Click here to learn about them.

Harari: They speak a Semitic language and most of them are Muslims.  They live in Ethiopia today.

Arabs: They start out African, but became more Caucasian over the millennia.  There are over 300 million of them.  They speak a Semitic language.  Islam was created by an Arab named Mohammad.  They helped create the Islamic Golden Age.  Arabs are one the most influential tribe in the world!!!!!

Languages
Somali: The Somali language is a Cushite language.  It is closely related to Oromo, Afar, and Soho.  There are 3 main dialects of Somali.  Northern Somali is the most popular.  Coastal Somali as more phonemes than Northern Somali.  The Maay dialect is spoken in Southern Somalia.  Somali sounds like Arabic or visa versa.

Arabic: This language is Semitic and was created by the Arabs.  It may be based on Aramaic.  It is the 3rd most popular language in the world; its the language of Islam.  It has many different dialects.  Swahili and Spanish were greatly influenced by Arabic.

Economy & Military
Adal had a robust economy because it traded with a lot of nations.  It traded with African, Asian, Middle Eastern, and European nations. It was close to the Ottoman Empire because they both were Islamic.  Adal even traded with Abyssinia.  They imported colored glass and bracelets from China.

Adal had archers, swordsmen, and lancers in the army.  They later acquired cannons and guns from the Ottoman Empire.  Soldiers wore suits of armor and helmets.   The Darod clan was the greatest clan in the art of war.

Wars
Adal had a 14-year war with Abyssinia.  It was from 1529-1543.  Adal won the first battle even though it had less troops.  Then they won 2 more battles.  They entered Abyssinia and burned churches.  They were Jihading.  They wanted to convert the kingdom to Islam.  They captured the prince and attacked the capital. Portuguese gunmen saved the day by defeating Adal forces.  Medri Bahri allowed the Portuguese to use their port.

There were other wars between Adal and Abyssinia.  Adal was allied with Ottoman Empire and Abyssinia with Portugal.  Sharing the same religion brought those nations together.  Christians, Muslims, and Jews have always clashed.  It may have something to do with a war god.  Medri Bahri was caught up in the middle. Medri Bahri sometimes would help Abyssinia, other times help Adal. Abyssinia lived on to become Ethiopia.

Adal fought soldiers from the Oromo tribe.  The soldiers took over some of the territories of Adal Sultanate and Abyssinia.  The changed the area 4 several centuries!!!!!!!

Downfall
The last sultan of the Walashma was killed by Abyssinian forces.  Adal Sultanate didn't last much longer after that.  Abyssinia was able to defeat Adal because it had help from Portugal.  Abyssinia regained the territory it lost to Adal Sultanate.

Conclusion
This empire had a long history, a great economy & military, and sweet society.  They spoke Cushite and Semitic languages.  They practiced Sunni Islam and were composed of 4 major tribes.  It was ruled by the Walashma dynasty.  I assume they were good sultans.  I give this civilization an A+ because it was great.            

References
wikipedia.org
https://saylicipress.com/2007/02/11/the-adal-empire-by-yarta-history-channel/
https://www.revolvy.com/
http://www.lisapoyakama.org/en/the-spirituality-of-the-oromos-and-the-somalis/
Adal Sultanate
https://wikivisually.com/wiki/Adal_Sultanate

Medri Bahri

Introduction
Medri Bahri was a kingdom in Eritrea.  It lasted 751 years!!!!!  The Saho, Tigre, Tigrinya peoples lived there.  It came after the fall of Aksum.  It had 2 main areas of control.  It was ruled by a king.  This nation was Christian.  Sometimes they cooperated and other times they fought Ethiopians and Somalis.  Travelers wrote about it.

History
Medri Bahri means Sea Land.  It was between the Red Sea and a Mereb River.  The ruler was called was called Bahr Negasi, which means King of the Sea.  The 2 provinces were called Hamasien and Akele Guzai. Hamasien (Ham and Shem) was the most important area of the kingdom.  Akele Guzai became independent later on. Medri Bahri was constantly warring with Abyssinia and Adal Sultanate.  The Turks invaded in 1558 CE.  They encountered resistance, so they left.  James Bruce went to Medri Bahri in 1770.  He observed it was independent of Abyssinia and @ war with it.

Tribes
Saho: They speak a Cushite language.  Most of them live in Eritrea.  They are related to the Afar tribe.  Most of them are Muslims; a few of them are Christians.  They have their own system of law.  They have a meeting called Rahbe.  A large number of people will come to solve a dispute.  A person that is something like a lawyer (madarre) will give the ukals (elders) suggestions to solve the problem.  If 2 people have a problem they go to an ukal and he/she will appoint a shimagale (mediator) 4 the dispute.  There are @ least  9 clans of Soho.

Tigre: They speak a Semitic language.  Most of them live in Eritrea.  They are related 2 the Beja and Tigrinya.  Islam is the most popular religion among the Tigre.

Tigrinya: They speak a Semitic language.  Most of them live in Eritrea and Ethiopia. They are mostly Christian.  They eat a lot of vegetables and some spicy meats.  They don't eat pork and they fast 7 times a year.  They also have clans.

Bahr Negassi (Kings of the Sea)
Yeshaq was a Bahr Negus in the 16th century.  He helped Abyissia when was invaded by Adal Sultanate.

Woldenmichael Solomon was the last true king of Medri Bahri.  He was a member of the Tigrinya tribe.  He fought the Ethiopians to keep his independent.  He made a treaty with an enemy.  His enemy attack after signing the treaty and he was overthrown.

Conclusion
This was a great kingdom.  It lasted a long time and it fought hard for there freedom. This Kingdom had 3 amazing tribes and it was Christian.  The people come from a mixture of Hamites and Shemites.  I give this kingdom an A.

References
www.revolvy.com
wikipedia.org
https://ipfs.io/ipfs/QmXoypizjW3WknFiJnKLwHCnL72vedxjQkDDP1mXWo6uco/wiki/Medri_Bahri.html
https://mdrebahri.wordpress.com/
http://www.eritrea.be/old/eritrea-history.htm
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=ad18
http://www.everyculture.com/Cr-Ga/Eritrea.html  

Kong Empire

Introduction
This empire lasted for 188 years!!!!!!  It was founded by Dyula people.  This empire was based on trade and it was center of Islamic learning.  The government was decentralized, which is sweet.  The society was heterogeneous.  The empire became less powerful and was destroyed.

History
Kong became a trading center in the Mali empire.  In 1710 it was invaded by Seku Ouattara.  He turned the city-state into an empire.  Tyefo and Senufo people lived in Kong.  They were farmers and followed a Traditional African Religion.  A lot people from the Dyula tribe moved in; they were Muslim.  They helped Seku become take over Kong.  Kong started out as the capital of Senufo tribe in 1000 CE.

Seku got into it with his uncle Lasiri, because his uncle surpassed Islam.  Lasiri kicked a Muslim cleric out of Kong.  He was in the Nya cult and wanted it to grow stronger. Seku went to war with his uncle and defeated him.  Then Lasiri was decapitated.

People under Seku authority took over surrounding towns that were part of trade routes.  The people under Seku had war houses.  A warhouse was a group of warriors and slaves that fought 4 their master.  The sons of the Seku became chiefs of major towns.  The Kong Empire went up against the Ashanti Kingdom and lost.

After Seku died his empire was less cohesive.  His brother wouldn't recognize his son as king.  Those 2 were rivals, but when it came to conquering other regions they joined forces.  They took over several trading cities.  When they tried to take over Djenne-Djennothey were stopped by the Bambara Empire.  Kong Empire took over the sum of the gold from the Lobi Kingdom in 1840.  

Government
The empire was ruled by merchants that lived in the Kong the capital city.  The merchants' controlled trade routes with their warhouses.  They would almost raid towns with their warhouses.  Islam was popular in this empire, but the merchants nor their warhouses were Islamic.  Islam was just the religion of the masses.  The merchants and warhouses followed African Traditional Religions.  But there was a lot of Islamic learning in this empire.  The merchants traded a lot of gold and kola nutz.

Downfall
The empire weakened in the late 1800's.  In 1888 leaders in the empire made deals with the French.  This upset Samori Ture because he was @ war with the French.  In 1897 Samori had Kong burned down.  The royal family of Seku ran to the north.  The created different kingdoms, but they didn't last long.  Then the French took over the Kong Empire.  Kong was rebuilt by the French, but it wasn't as prosperous as it was b4.

References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kong_Empire
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samori_Ture
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kong,_Ivory_Coast
https://www.britannica.com/place/Cote-dIvoire/Precolonial-kingdoms#ref517105
            

Sanse

Introduction
Sanse has a rich history and it was created in Purto Rico.  It has sweet beliefs, spirits, and rituals.  It is very diverse, this is because it has been influenced by Tainos, Africans, Dominicans, Haitians, French, Chinese, Irish, Gypsies, etc. Ancestors and spirit guides play a big role in Sanse.  Each person has their own special spirit guide. Initiation is paramount!  But it is not required.  Sanse is a religion and a form of magick.

History
A Papa Bokor from the Dominican Republic moved to Purto Rico.  2 or 3 other practitioners of 21 Divisions came with him as well.  @ this time Puro Ricans were practicing Espiritismo.  Papa Bokor became friends with the spirits of the Island. Sanse is a mixture of Tanio practices, 21 Divisions, Espiritismo, and Brujeria.

Blueprint
There is a supreme being and spirits exist.  Humans are spirits in the flesh.  We can communicate with spirits. Spirits have the power to influence the matrial plane.  There are good spirits and evil spirits.  Good spirits help and evil spirits harm.  The law of causation is universal.  We all have spiritual gifts, so we should make them stronger. We all have a spiritual court (Cuadro).  They are a group of spirits and abilities that help us. We can make this court stronger which will improve our lives.  Karma isn't real.  This religious-magickal system deals with many types of spirits.  Such as Taino, Lwas, Angels, Saints, Ancestors, Spirit Guides, etc. Sanse is open to all people regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual preference, etc.  Everyone is @ a different spiritual level.  People with great spiritual ability should help those with little spiritual ability.

Rituals
Spiritual Mass: All spirits are welcomed in this ceremony.  People get healed, messages from spirits, and removal of negativity during this mass.

Fiesta Espiritual: Similar to the ritual above, but it includes music.

Velacion: This is a public prayer.  Candles are lit which helps spirits connect with people.  

The focus of these rituals is spiritual empowerment.  They help people improve their lives.  

Animal sacrifice is rare in Sanse.   

          

7 Divisions (Families)
A division is a group of spirits.  They may have come from the same tribe and/or have similar traits.

1st: It called Baron's Division, Ghede Division, and Black Divison.  It is led by Baron Del Cementerio.  They can assist you getting a husband or wife, obtaining wealth, protection, hexes, etc.  The color of this division is black and white.

2nd: It is called Division of Doors, Open Path Division, and Papa Legba Division. Papa Legba is the leader of this division.  The spirits of this family and connect the spiritual world to the physical world and they give people opportunities.  They can help someone find a job.  They can cause great blessings!!!  The color of this division is brown.

3rd: This is the sun division.   The leader is Gran Soley.  The spirits of this division deal with wealth, wisdom, spiritual abilities, etc.  They help with initiation.  The colors of this division are yellow, orange, and white.

4th: This is the water division.   The leader of this family is Archangel Raphael.  The spirits in this division are Taino and rule over water.  Tainos were the natives of Purto Rico.   They have the power to cleanse, heal, luck, love, etc.  The color of this division is green.

5th: This is the female division.  Metresii is the leader.  They resolve many different problems, reverse hexes, help people obtain wealth, etc.  The color of this division is pink.

6th: This is the fire division.  It is called Candelo Division.  Candelo Cedife is the leader.  The spirits of this division can help improve your bizzness, justice, protection, etc.  The color of this division is red.

7th: This is Air (Justice) Division.  The leader is Archangel Michael.  The spirits of this division deal with justice and war.  Oguns are in this division and/or the 6th.  The color of is Dark Blue.

Ancestors & Spirit Guides
Our ancestors can have a big impact on our lives.  They can help us grow as tall an oak tree!!!!!!!  There are many spirit guides.  They come from all over the world.   Spirit guides evolve by helping humans.  Most of these spirits are human, sum are not. There are groups of spirit guides called commissions.  I will list sum of them.

1. This commission is composed of shamans, healers, witches, and other people that did magick.  They help you heal and with magick.

2. This is the Gypsy commission.  They help with divination.

3. This commission is composed of African slaves that were servants.  They help heal, children, spells, cleansing, etc.

4. This commission is full of pirates.

5. This is the (native) American commission.  They can help in every way.

6. This is the Asian commission.  They help with luck and spiritual development.

7. Arabic commission.  They know Muslim magick and how to work with Jinn.

8. Healing commission.  These spirits were doctors and nurses.

9. Congo commission.  Bakongo spirits that are very magickal.

10. Saints

11. Hindu deities

12. Angels

13. Spirits of people who were enslaved

There are many other commissions.

Centinela
We all have a principal guide.  They help us evolve spiritually, give messages, and connects us to other spirits.  Our personal spirit guide is closer to us than any other spirits.  It takes more energy to connect with other spirits than our guides.  Our guides can give messages to the other spirits 4 us.  This saves us energy.

Initiation
Bautizo is what initiation is called in Sanse.  B4 you get initiated you must get a spiritual consultation.  During this consultation, you will learn Cuadro.  The consultant will divine the spirits in your Cuadro.  B4 initiation the person must fast and follow other rules.  The Centinela will be baptized into the initiate head.  They will be spiritually empowered.

Conclusion
Sanse is religio-magickal system open to people from all walks of life.  It has a sweet history, beliefs, deities, angels, saints, spirit guides, rituals, initiation, etc.  It's my favorite religio-magickal system @ the moment because I love its diversity.  It like a big gumbo with everything thrown in.

References
http://sansereligion.com/
http://priestessworks.com/
http://sansespiritismo.blogspot.com/
https://www.scribd.com/doc/121302428/Sance-Sanse-Espiritismo-Puertorico
https://brujoluis.wordpress.com/
http://hectorsalva.com/
http://sancista.blogspot.com/

    

Dominican Vudu

Introduction
Dominican Vudu (DV) is called 21 Divisions (nations) because it has 21 groups of spirits in it.  It is several centuries old and has 3 main groups of spirits.  Each spirit has a Veve.  It was influenced by Catholicism.  It is different from Haitian Vodou even though they have a lot in common.  There are various rituals in DV.

3 Main Groups
The 1st group is very sunny.  They are docile, sweet, benevolent, ancient, and calm. The sun is their symbol because they are good-natured.  This group of Loa same as the Rada nation of Haitian Vodou.  These spirits have European imagery.
                              
The 2nd group is lunar.  They are represented by the moon.  They are the Petro and Ghede nation of Haitian Vodou.  Petro Loa are aggressive and hot-tempered.  They are upset with how Americans & Africans were mistreated by Europeans during slavery.

The 3rd group deals with the earth.  These Loa are Taino spirits.  Some of the Loa in this group are in other groups.

21 Nations in DV
The 21 nations in DV come from 21 African tribes.  Some of the tribes are Hausa, Bakongo, Igbo, Yoruba, Bambara, Ewe, and Fon.  Each tribe had their own deities. They shared ideas with each other the Tainos and the Spanish.  DV was heavily influenced by Catholicism because the Spanish promoted it.  Spain ruled the Dominican Republic until the Haitians set it free.

The first nation is full of Legbas.  They connect the spirit world to the physical world. They are great communicators.  Their color is brown, but each Legba has their own color as while.  The Legbas are more omnipresent than other Loa.  They get the first offering and prayer in every ritual.

The 2nd nation is full Oguns.  They love Legba and they clear paths and heal.  The Oguns rule over technology, war, and healing.  Their colors are blue and green.

The 3rd nation Loa are very airy.  Damballah created the earth in service of the Most High.  His reflection on water became a rainbow; which became Aida Wedo, his wife.

The 4th nation has many different American spirits in it.  The Loa Yucaju killed his son because he rebelled against him.  He put his bones in a goard.  The Loa of the Sea wanted to see her son.  She was Yucaju wife. He took her where he thought his bones would be.  They found water and fishes in the gourd instead of their son's bones. They poured the goard out on earth.  This created the rivers and the ocean.  Then they ate some of the fishes.

The 5th nation are the Ghede.  They live inside the stomach of Baron Samedi.  His stomach is the graveyard and his father is Papa Ghede Limbo.  His wife is Madame Brigitte.  The entrance of the graveyard is her birth canal.  The colors of this nation are black and purple.  Each Ghede has their own color as well.  The Ghede are spirits of the deceased, but they are not the ancestors.  They are very vulgar and sexual.  The Rada Loa don't like them because they like purity.

The 6th nation are full of Petro spirits.  It is lead Ti-Jean Petro.  He was a great Papa Bokor.  There are many Taino spirits in this nation.  The color of this nation is Red. These spirits were African and American people that fought 4 freedom.  These Loa are uber powerful.

It seems like the rest of nations same to have only 1 or a few deities, but they properly got more.

DV vs HV
Same: They have the most of same deities.  They have the common origin.  They both influenced by Catholicism.

Differences: Haitian Vodou (HV) has 101 nations.  DV seems more complex and Catholic.  I assume some of the deities are different.

Catholic Influence
The images of the Loa are the images of saints.  This can be seen in the Rada nation. This imagery in other nations as well.  Catholicism is the biggest religion in the Dominican Republic. Some Catholic ideas infected Vudu.  Some of the rituals were influenced by Catholicism.

Rituals
Sometimes rituals are done @ the altars.  Images of saints are on the altar.  They represent the Loa. Candles of different colors are present.  On some altars, there are beads, herbs, rum, flowers, bible, crucifix, etc.  The altar is a battery of spiritual energy.

There are many different ceremonies.  They involve drumming.  Each Loa have their own rhythm.   Each priest do whatever ritual they see fit in their house.  In each house (temple) you may find different rituals. Baptism is part of initiation and so is a head wash.  People say prayers and sing songs during certain ceremonies.  Sometimes people get mounted.  Veves are drawn during certain rituals.  Veves are portals to the Loa.

Conclusion
DV is amazing!!!!!!!!!!  It has 3 main groups of spirits and 21 smaller groups.  It is an African religion that was influenced by Americans and Europeans.  It incorporates Taino spirits in the nations.  It has a lot similarities and differences to HV.  There are many sweet rituals in DV.              

References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Vud%C3%BA
http://las21divisiones.com/
http://sansespiritismo.blogspot.com/2013/03/vodou-21-nations-under-god-sance.html
http://dr1.com/articles/voodoo.shtml

Quantum Touch

Introduction
Quantum Touch (QT) is a healing modality that is very effective.  It is similar to Reiki, but it uses vibration in conjunction with the lifeforce of the practitioner to heal.  It has been around for over 20 years.  There have been several books written about it.  It can help many different parts of the body.  Richard Gordon created QT and wrote most of the books about it.

QT in Action
To do Quantum Touch all you have to do is a body scan and a breathing exercise.  Then you place your hand on the person's body part that is in pain or diseased.  It so simple to learn even kids can do it!  It can help get rid of arthritis.  If bones are misaligned QT can put them in their proper place.  QT can reduce stress and relax muscles.  It can improve emotions and it can help animals heal.      

Books
Quantum Touch the Power to Heal (1999): It is an introduction to QT.  It explains exercises for body awareness.  This book explains how QT can make the body whole again.

Your Healing Hands (2004): This book is about Polarity Therapy.

Quantum Touch the Power to Heal 3rd Edition  (2006): An updated version of the first book.

Super-Charging QT (2007): This book teaches you sum of best techniques of QT.

Quantum Touch Core Transformation (2009):  This book teaches exercises and techniques of QT.

QT 2.0 New Human: This book teaches you distance healing and how to heal multiple people without touching them.

The Secret Nature of Matter (2017): The nature of consciousness and matter are explored in this book.  Our awareness has the power to shape the objective reality.        

References
https://www.quantumtouch.com/
https://completewellbeing.com/article/quantum-touch-energy-healing/
https://www.thoughtco.com/quantum-touch-therapy-1731536

Classical Chinese Medicine

Introduction
Classical Chinese Medicine (CCM) has been around for millennia!!!!  It is very Daoist, philosophical, and spiritual.  Its literature is ancient Chinese texts.  It has several branches and various ideas.  It has been corrupted by europeanization. Traditional Chinese Medicine is europeanized Classical Chinese Medicine.

History   
CCM is over 4,000 years old.  Most of it comes from Taoism.  Taoism was suppressed about a millennium ago.  The suppression occurred during the rise of  Confusism.  A lot of Daoist texts were destroyed.  Some texts made it to Vietnam and were translated into ancient Vietnamese.  Later on, it translated to French, then English.  Once China became a republic Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) was created.  It is europeanized Chinese medicine.  It downplays emotional and spiritual aspects of Classical Chinese Medicine.  CCM is becoming popular again.

Literature
Master Hua's Classic of the Central Viscera: This book is about organs and how they are affected by yin-yang.  It explains pulse diagnosis.

AB Canon of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: This was the first Chinese book on acupuncture and moxibustion.  It explains meridians and acupoints.  

Pulse Cannon: It explains different types of pulses in detail.

Essential Formulas for Emergencies a Thousand Pieces of Gold: This book explains how to make 5,300 forms of medicine.

There are 1,000's of CCM texts!!!!!

Breakdown and Branches
Qi: Lifeforce

Jing: Sexual Energy

Shen: Spiritual energy

Qi can become Jing.  Jing can become Shen.

Yin: Female

Yang: Male

Wuxing: Fire, Metal, Earth, Wood, Water

Each phase has a certain amount of yin or yang.  Earth has equal amounts of both.

Jingluo (Meridians): Energy channels in the body.  They are like veins.

 There are 8 branches of CCM.

Acupuncture: Needles are put in acupoints, which causes healing.  It helps the chi flow better.

Herbs: Plants are used together to help cure illnesses.

Massage: Tui Na: Theraputic massage.  Anmo: Relaxing massage.

Feng Shui: Putting objects in there proper place.  That will lead more positive energy.

Harmony (Maat): Your diet and activities should be intuned with the seasons.

Exercise: Do Tai Chi.  It improves chi flow.

Diet: "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine your food."  Eat foods that resonate with you.

Mind: It can heal or kill you, the choice is yours.  The mind is of the utmost importance.

References
https://classicalchinesemedicine.org/
http://accm.ie/
http://www.jungtao.edu/index.php/classical-chinese-medicine
Mantak Chia
http://www.aaronbanfield.com/articles/the-8-branches-of-chinese.html
http://www.china.org.cn/top10/2011-09/15/content_23419513_2.htm