Peace, Tribe!
We’ve made it to the second day of exploring the Gye-Nyame Questions, and today we’re diving into Question 2: What does a warrior do? Before we jump into that, let me give you some history about how these questions came to be because understanding their roots is essential to fully grasping their meaning.
The History Behind the First Seven Questions
The first seven questions—like “What is a warrior?” and “What does a warrior do?”—came about during an important chapter in my journey. At the time, one of my elders, Mama Malika, hired me to assist her with a project at the Africentric High School. She loved what I was already doing in the community, but she wanted to create something similar that wasn’t directly connected to other initiatives like the Underground Railroad (UGRR).
Why the separation? There was concern that if the school’s funders became aware of our other grassroots projects, it could jeopardize their funding. So, I developed the first seven questions specifically for the high school group, which was called The Warriors.
Later, as Gye-Nyame grew, I took the questions I had created for both UGRR and The Warriors and combined them. The result is what we now know as the 37 Questions of Gye-Nyame—a powerful tool for guiding personal and collective growth.
So, What Does a Warrior Do?
Let’s get into it. The scripted answer for this question is simple:
A warrior protects the tribe by developing their spirit, mind, and body. They prepare for conflict on all levels—intuitional, mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical—and are willing to give their life in the process.
But as with all the Gye-Nyame Questions, we don’t stop at the scripted answer. We live it. We ask ourselves what it means for us, personally and collectively.
Reflecting on Your Role as a Warrior
When you hear the question, “What does a warrior do?” I want you to look at it from your perspective. What do you do as a warrior?
- What conflicts are you facing?
- How are you showing up for your tribe, your family, your community—and yourself?
The work of a warrior starts inward. It’s not about conquering others, fighting external battles, or mastering someone else. It’s about developing yourself—your spirit, mind, and body—so that you’re ready for the conflicts life throws at you.
The Key is in the Word “Develop”
The word “develop” is critical here. Why? Because it’s an ongoing process.
- There’s no such thing as a fully developed spirit.
- Your mind is never completely mastered.
- Your body is always a work in progress.
A warrior is constantly in the process of becoming. And in life, conflict is unavoidable—it touches every part of your being. So, we prepare for those battles by doing the inner work first.
The Ripple Effect: From Self to the World
When we talk about protecting the tribe, it’s important to understand how the work ripples outward. It starts with you. When you work on your spirit, mind, and body, you create ripples that spread through every circle of your life:
- Yourself
- Your family
- Your tribe
- Your village
- Your community
- Your nation
- The world
But here’s the catch: many of us want to skip steps. We want to jump straight to fixing the community or the world without doing the work on ourselves first. That’s how we end up sending wounded warriors into battle.
Stop Sending Wounded Warriors
Here’s the hard truth: a wounded warrior can’t protect anyone. If we’re not whole, how can we uplift others? That’s why the Gye-Nyame Journey emphasizes starting with the inner work. A true warrior develops themselves first before trying to fix someone else’s problems.
When you hear the answer to this question—“We protect the tribe by developing our spirit, mind, and body”—know that this isn’t about grand external battles. The process of development itself is the fight. And we must be willing to give our lives to that process, not in some dramatic external sacrifice, but in the everyday grind of becoming the best version of ourselves.
Final Thoughts
Family, this second question—What does a warrior do?—is deep. It’s not just a question to answer; it’s a challenge to live.
When you drop the pebble of development into the waters of your life, the ripples will spread. Start with your spirit. Let it flow to your mind. Strengthen your body. From there, your family will feel it. Your tribe will feel it. Your community will feel it. And eventually, the world will feel it.
But remember: it starts with you.
I’m still on a high from this fast, and I hope you’re feeling good too. Take time to reflect on this question. Journal about it. Discuss it with your tribe. And most importantly—live it.
Peace,
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| Brother ha2tim |
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