Gro Hungan Yabofé Noványón Idizol/George Washington Ware, Jr.
Worldly Entrance April 21, 1940 - Worldly Exit October 5, 2012
Service:
Friday, October 12, 2012
Viewing: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Service: 11:00 a.m.
Ervina White Beauford Funeral Service
2134 Stenton Avenue
(corner of Beechwood Avenue)
Philadelphia, PA 19138
Interment 1:00 p.m.
Merion Memorial Park, Inc.
59 Rock Hill Road
Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004
Gro Hungan Yabofé Noványón, Idizol was born George Ware to Jimmie Lu Bo and George Washington Ware, Sr. in Camp Hill, a small town near Auburn in Alabama. Gro Hungan Yabofe/George Ware was raised by his paternal grandmother, Cora Ware. George Ware attended Tuskegee Institute, now known as Tuskegee University, where he earned a Master’s degree in biochemistry. As a graduate student he became involved in the Civil Rights movement. As an early member and organizer, George Ware met Stokely Carmichael and they developed a relationship based on their mutual interest and dedication to the “Black Power Movement.” In later years, Stokely Carmichael took the name of Kwame Ture, and George assisted him in the formation of what became known as the Black Power Movement. In recognition of his active involvement in the African American Civil Rights movement, George Ware was made an honorary member of the Black Panther Party by H. Rap Brown and Kwame Ture.
George Ware completed his post graduate course of study at New York University and Columbia University. In addition to his work in the civil rights movement, George Ware was a lifelong educator, teaching everywhere and everything from quantum physics to basic math at inner city high schools. George Ware was on the faculty of Hunter College in New York City, Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Chairman of the Department of Natural Science and Social Ecology at Goddard College in Plainfield, Vermont. He also was a pioneer in the field of urban horticulture, creating one of the first gardens with organic crops in what had been a vacant lot in North Philadelphia. The Sea Change Community Program in Urban Horticulture was one of the first profitable organic gardens in the country.
George Ware was a community organizer from 1965 to 1975 for the Black Music industry and Black Radio with the Fair Play Committee in conjunction with the National Association of Radio and Television Announcers. Among his many accomplishments was his participation in the creation and development of the Black Music Association (BMA). Teaming with Stevie Wonder, Ewart Abner, then president of Motown, Dick Griffey, founder of Solar Records, and the Sound of Philadelphia’s Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, they created the BMA, the first black music trade association. It was through the efforts of the Black Music Association that President Carter declared June to be Black Music Month. It was also the political pressure applied to the music industry under the leadership of George Ware, in his capacity as Executive Director, and the board members of the Black Music Association, that resulted in the hiring of black executives by the major record labels. The BMA even inspired the Congressional Black Caucus to hold a hearing that resulted in the nascent music networks being pressured to add black artists to their programming.
In the post Black Power Movement, civil rights, and Black Music Association era of his life, George Ware continued his universal education and interest in African Traditional Religion. George Ware received his Elekes and Warriors in the Lucumi tradition from Baba Maurice in Harlem, New York in 1975.
The natural outgrowth of George Ware’s interest in Black heritage/culture led him to develop an interest in Haitian Voodoo. George Ware was initiated in Haitian Voodoo by Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol at LePeristyle Haitian Sanctuary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the first level as a Hunsi and received his first spiritual name, Ayenta, on October 16, 1988. On July 7, 1997, he was initiated at LePeristyle Haitian Sanctuary Humofor in Mariani, Haiti into the Novanyon lineage Humofor, which has been acknowledged with more 500 years of existence at the same location. Hunsi Ayenta now has now become Gro Hungan Yabofé Noványón Idizol, achieving the highest level of the Priesthood by receiving Ceremony of Asson. Gro Hungan Yabofé served as a confidante/advisor to Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón, Idizol, a world-renowned High Priestess of Haitian Voodoo, Founder of LePeristyle Haitian Sanctuary in the United States of America and The National African Religion Congress.
Gro Hungan Yabofé was the Vice President of LePeristyle Haitian Sanctuary (USA). He served as the Vice President of L’Ogatwa Au d’ Nomn Societi (Men’s Society of LePeristyle Haitian Sanctuary). Gro Hungan Yabofé was the Co-Founder and President of the National African Religion Congress (NARC), a worldwide certifying board for Priests and Priestesses of traditional African-based religions from around the globe. Gro Hungan Yabofé helped to produce and publish the Directory of Priests and Priestesses, Babalawos and Workers. Through his work in the Civil Rights Movement, the BMA, NARC and other organizations, Gro Hungan Yabofé traveled around the world, from the United States to Haiti, Brazil, Trinidad-Tobago, Cuba and West Africa.
Gro Hungan Yabofé Noványón, Idizol is survived and celebrated in life by his wife, Octavia Ware/Mambo Viel Noványón, his sons, Akin B. Ware/Hunsi Ayenta, Jr. Master Drummer and Gro Hungan (High Priest) Foknanpwen Noványón, Idizol/ Rahim Thompson, his daughter, Ngozi, two (2) brothers, William and John Ware, daughter-in-law Tanisha Thompson, granddaughter Veriteady, hosts of nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous dear and close friends, colleagues and associates throughout the course of his service to the people of the world, his Godmother, Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol and his spiritual family of LePeristyle Haitian Sanctuary, where he faithfully served for 24 years.
Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol
New Years Reading – 2012
Life and Living
The year 2012 is a shared year, ruled by Papa Ogun (the force of fire, faith and strength) and Papa Agwe (the force of light and direction). The message for the year 2012 gives a blueprint for using the strength of Ogun and the sails of Agwe, while also bringing knowledge about critical anchor months. The Loa Baron Criminel, who came in possession on Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol during the Ghede Ceremony at LePeristyle Haitian Sanctuary on the night of November 12, 2011, gave the message for the upcoming New Year, 2012.
This message speaks about life and living, the power of drama and how to sail through 2012 in tranquility. The predictions for 2012 begin with a reference to the guidance given for the year 2011 and a review of the powers that dominated the year 2011. The power of a year flows from the power of prior years. It is important to be aware of the powers of the past in order to understand the powers of a year that has not yet been lived. The guidance for 2011 was to “be a spade for yourself,” meaning to make a clear, unemotional assessment of your character and behavior on an on-going basis. The powers ruling 2011 (being a spade, surety and unsurety) are essential preparation for the year 2012 and must be appeased in order for the guidance given for the year 2012 to be effective.
The message for the year 2012 brings a new perspective for living in the coming year. It presents a blueprint for action and understanding. It is a guide to show you the best time for financial investments, entrepreneurial thrusts, love, family, and health. The reading of the year tells you what to avoid and how to take advantage of the best opportunities for the year 2012.
The divine force spoke of life and living, explaining the relationship between the wealth of life and the wealth of the land. You are living in life, which is from the wealth of the land. The wealth of the land spreads into the wealth of life. Life has a season and the deeds done during that season determine the remembrance of that life.
Drama is a monster. It is a power as old as the world. Everyone understands it. What people do not realize is that, once invoked, drama cannot be controlled. It destroys. Drama must be avoided in 2012 because this is a year in which emotions will run high. In order to have tranquility you must avoid drama.
The Loa said that the year belongs to two forces: Papa Ogun and Papa Agwe. Some will only see Papa Ogu present in the year because they see the earthquakes, fires and all the other devastations that will come out of the heat of the Petro. On the other hand, the people who can see these two powers will, as a result, do well in business. The year 2012 will provide opportunities for gain in the midst of inflation and economic crises. Those who only see Papa Agwe will think of tornadoes, gale force winds, floods, possible tsunamis and things coming out of the sea that can bring much devastation, destruction and death. On the other hand, those who are seeing Agwe present in the year, but not necessarily focused on the destruction and devastation, could see the good fortune that comes on the wind when things are blown their way. Following the guidance of the spiritual force by changing the way you do business and handle your fortunes will bring enormous benefits in 2012.
DEVASTATION HITS HAITI… EARTHQUAKE WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The National African Religion Congress is the certifying board of Priests and Priestesses of African-based religions. The National African Religion Congress wants to help. We need aid pledged to the Congress so that we can help make a difference for our sisters and brothers in Haiti. The news media report that 80% of the people of Haiti is Roman Catholic. That statistic, though widely available, is incorrect. That statistic would make people very comfortable contributing to agencies that work through the Catholic Church, causing them to believe that their contributions would reach the people at large. However, the National African Religion Congress knows that the practitioners of indigenous culture, especially Voodoo adherents, will be selectively neglected because of their religion.
Today our sister country Haiti is in trouble - hit by a devastating earthquake! Haiti has played a key role in the spread of African-based religions in the Western hemisphere. The people of Haiti fought for and gained their independence from colonial oppression through their spirituality, becoming the first free Black republic in the world. The Voodoo religion has sustained the people through the worst of times. Now the Haitian people desperately need the help of their brothers and sisters in faith to deal with this disaster. This unified body cares.
The National African Religion Congress/NARC World International is an organization that has been established in order to foster unity among all African Religions of the Diaspora. These religions include the Akan, the Orisa Tradition of Trinidad and Tobago, Ifa, Santeria, Yoruba, Voodoo of Haiti, Candomble and Lucumi. All of these religions have migrated to this country from countries such as: Nigeria, Brazil, Cuba, Haiti, and so on. All of them are represented in major communities in the United States.
The National African Religion Congress/NARC World International has been in existence more than 10 years. We have solved many problems for the practice of African-based religions in the United States and other countries from where our great religions have migrated by bridging the gap of understanding in the communities.
Members of the Congress have valuable skills such as nursing, administering first aid, and experience in search and rescue. They are willing to submit to training from relief organizations to help deliver the support to those who need it. They are used to traveling among indigenous people in various third-world countries and are sensitive to the unique perspective of these people. They need financial help in order to make their skills and services available to reach those people.
Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol, Chairperson and Founder
Gro Mambo celebrates over 25 years of priesthood and 25 years as a High Priestess!
Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol, the founder of Le Peristyle Haitian Sanctuary, as well as the National African Religion Congress (NARC World International) went to Haiti in 1977 to study the Voodoo Religion. She went into Haiti with an introductory letter to an established priestess of the native religion. After some difficulties, Mambo Angela was able to establish a relationship with a priestess from whom she began to learn about Haitian Voodoo. She finally formed a relationship with Papa Hilaire Michel Novanyon Idizol, a high priest (Gro Hungan) and founder of Le Peristyle Sanctuary, in Haiti. Following years of study, she was initiated as a priestess (Mambo). Her mission was to bring back to the United States every component of the true African religion as it evolved from former slaves of the Congo, Dahomey, Togo and native Indians of the island of Haiti. During the 10 years of work, Mambo Angélá Noványón continued to study and advance in the religion. In 1984, her name was changed to Gro Mambo Angélá Noványón Idizol, when she achieved the sattus of high priestess.
Gro Mambo celebrates over 25 years of priesthood and 25 years as a High Priestess!