2,030 Abibisika (Black Gold) Points

Rank: Unranked Newbie

The Dogon people of Mali of West Afrika believe that the Afrikan concept of “Nommo”, the power of the spoken word carries an energy that produces all life and influences everything from destiny to the naming of children. By human utterance or through the spoken word, human beings can invoke a kind of spiritual power. Nommo, the generative power of the spoken word, is the force that gives life to everything. It is present everywhere and it brings into existence all that is seen and unseen. Furthermore, the Dogon believe that humans have power over the word and thereby can direct the life force. All human creation and natural phenomenon emanate from the productive power of the word, that is Nommo, which is a life force.

Nothing happens in human society without Nommo. It is like magic in one way, but that is not strange to the Dogons because in their very thinking, all magic is ultimately word magic. This is true whether the word is manifested in incantations, blessings or curses. If the word in fact did not exist, all forces would be suspended, there would be no procreation and therefore, there would be no life. Although the concept of Nommo is most identified with the Dogons, it can be found also in the Afrikan classical texts with the same idea of using words to impart energy; to change forms, shapes and conditions; and to make work easier. It is remarkably present in powerful utterances that are based on the Maatic principles.

Afrikan culture created both written and spoken language beginning with the origin of writing around 3500 BC and spoken language long before history, the fact that Nommo has remained an important concept in Afrikan culture is related to the productive force of speech. The philosophers among the Dogon believe that each word is an addition to the universe and by adding to the totality of the universe, the word changes the nature of our existences. No word that goes out of a persons mouth can be considered useless, because it is, by the physical act of being spoken and creating breath that enters the universe transformative. Only the word that is spoken can actively engage the human being in a personal manner, and this generative action of Nommo constitutes a new relationship between a speaker and a listener.