In a very recent post An angel’s tears of gold, I told a tale about an angel crying tears of gold each time one person took another persons life (for any reason). I received some very moving comments. But one in particular was so outstanding that I felt the need to share with you.
Celestina Nudana, a loving and talented individual, (her haiku is outstanding) is one of the small handful of bloggers I followed early on. Her home is in Accra, Ghana. Her comment regarding the belief system and culture/history of one of the tribes of Africa is important. I think we can lose some important values from the past if we move into the future too quickly!
With no further introduction I give you Celestine’s words (copied with “her permission” from the comment section exactly as she wrote them):
In Ghana, one of the tribes is the Ewe tribe from the Volta region. In naming their children, they always give names that have meanings and tell a story like ‘God is great’, ‘Except God’, ‘there is time for everything’ (my husband is from this tribe and that is the meaning of his name, though his Christian name is different). The meaning of my first son’s name is ‘Destiny has made me a king’ (though his Christian name is Cedric).
The point to all this is that one of the names given to Ewes at birth is translated to mean ‘A human being/life is more valuable than riches’. Human life is precious, the blood that flows in us cries out to heaven any time a human life is taken. Our culture tells us that blood is life and it has soul so when you spill blood you have murdered the soul and blood that cries for vengeance is always revenged and thus appeased.
At the same time we are told that money is blood so yes, the angel will cry tears of gold, tears of blood, all the blood we shed when take a human life for greed, power and evil deeds.
A powerful, moving and beautiful story, Penny. 
The Beautiful sun of Ghana
Thank you Celestine for your story and allowing me to share with others. We are richer for the knowledge my friend! 🙂
~ Penny
The Why About This 
Thank you for passing this on Penny. It was very moving. We in developed countries could learn much from those less fortunate.
Wisely said LuAnn. Sometimes I wonder about the American view of the world, that we spread so freely around. While some of the emerging countries are behind us with technology and “things” to purchase, they (as you point out) are still more closely linked to the wisdom of their past. You have to wonder who is really less fortunate my friend. Of course I don’t refer to the pervasive poverty that exists in most places on the planet. Another thing that doesn’t make sense to me if humans bonded with one another instead of fighting. Stepping off my sounding board now, sorry about that dear friend! 🙂 xx
I was up on that sounding board with you in spirit. I feel exactly the same. When we have traveled to developing countries, I have always felt that they have the answers to what is most important in life, not us. 🙂
Yay, I’m in great company then! 🙂 xox
😀
Oh Penny, I am deeply humbled by the post and all the wonderful comments. I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude. But I do know that you know my heart. Thank you, my sister and friend 🙂
It was and is an honor to have passed on the heartfelt excellence of your words and message, my friend and sister, much love to you Celestine, Penny 🙂
Words so moving, so beautifully expressed. I feel certain we could learn much from your culture. Thank you.
Beautiful thoughts, Penny and Celestine!
In fact, in India too, we give names that have meanings. Hindi words that, I believe, mold the child’s personality. For instance, my son’s name means ‘striving for perfection’… at 17, I think, he does show some signs of being so. 🙂
Perhaps this is a legacy of ancient civilizations.
Thank you so much. I agree Children need to carry their history and legacy with them as they grow and are nurtured. I would like to see this type of legacy reappear everywhere with everyone as we bond together as a human race! Hopeful thoughts anyway. Thank you for your insights and the wisdom from India, greatly appreciated my friend. 🙂
This is beautiful, Penny. We learn so much every day from the richness of other cultures. What an amazing comment 😀
Thanks Dianne, indeed Celestine is an exceptional person and I am fortunate that she comes to visit here. Her comment was too awesome to not pass on to others. Glad you agree with me! 🙂
This is such a beautiful tribute… very lovely 🙂
Thank you Roxi, she is special indeed, as are her words of wisdom! 🙂
Beautiful…it is so true – no riches in the world can equal human life. Thank you for sharing Celestine with us today dear Penny!!! xxxoo 🌻
Hello bestest friend of mine, Celestine is not only a lovely human being, but gifted and intelligent as well. Her commentary needed to be shared. I was honored to pass along her words Robyn, thank you, all my love, Penny xoxo
Thanks so much for introducing me to Celestine, Penny, such wise words. Thanks also for your great support today, i do appreciate it.
I missed off your smile Penny – 🙂 🙂 Have two xx
And a double smile back to you my friend! 🙂 🙂 xx
Your welcome and I was very happy to Ruth. 🙂
Are you sure that’s the sun shining & not Celestine? 😉
Thank you for sharing her comment. I enjoy learning about different people/cultures around the world. I am always interested too in where names come from & the meaning behind them or why they are chosen.
xx 🙂 🙂 xx
It probably is Celestine shining, and I agree with you, it is fascinating to learn of other cultures around the world. Her commentary was too rich and full to not pass on to others, RoSy! 🙂 xo
A beautiful, truly touching tale.
And perhaps appropriate that her name, Celestine, clearly comes from the Latin for heavenly.
Thank you for that reminder. Yes Her name suits her perfectly! 🙂 xx
Wonderful post, thank you for sharing Celestine’s words of wisdom.
You’re welcome Lyn, it was truly a pleasure for me.
How absolutely beautiful but I love Celestine no matter what she writes she has such a pure heart and soul.
Yes she does Len!
How truly wonderful! Thank you for sharing ❤
My pleasure Sharla, I was very happy to share Celestine and her wonderful words with my friends! 🙂
That is truly value in life
I agree my friend! 🙂
I know what both of my kids names mean. Nothing as elaborate as those or anywhere near as informative as Celestine – which I imagine means something to do with the gods or stars or heaven.